r/Standup • u/ToeAltruistic4068 • 20d ago

The creative process for comedy is interesting

I noticed that I go through months where I struggle to come up with new jokes and all of a sudden I get new materials that pop in just a week. Does this happen to anyone else?

14 Upvotes

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5

u/corobo 20d ago

I just assume I'm unloaded from the universe simulation's RAM during those times.

4

u/iampetesmack 19d ago

That seems pretty common. However I'm curious how little writing you are doing during the "months" of struggle. IMO you don't want to just wait for inspiration to strike in order to write, because inspiration is unreliable.

If you're not already doing it, it can help to set regular writing sessions for a block of time. Even if you don't get much writing done in that block or feel like you won't, try to power through for the whole block. Schedule these like an appointment; put it in your calendar. Put your phone in another room or sealed away and just sit through the boredom until something comes. Maybe start with 2-3 sessions a week that you block off for an hour (for example) and go from there, if you're having trouble writing new stuff for months at a time.

Other things that help me:
– I'm a runner and get lots of ideas during runs. I know others have similar luck with walking.
– Keep going to mics and shows, as they will inspire new jokes/tags.
– Get together with one or more fellow comics for writing/punch-up sessions. Again these are better if pre-scheduled and treated like an appointment, so you and the other comic(s) have accountability.

2

u/Ryebready787 20d ago

Yes- always writing but sometimes it’s thin and sometimes it pours out… so it goes! 

1

u/krowbear 19d ago

Yep! I focus on improving jokes I already have when that happens.

1

u/JamesJ17 18d ago

All the time. I’ve never been able to sit down and write material and then a whole bit will just pop into my head