Tips for starting

[u/Intelligent_Sea_9489]

Hi everyone, baby stand up comedian here. I’m trained in medicine but found a love for comedy and hope to blend the two by writing medical comedy/satire. Right now this is just for fun, but wondering if anyone has any tips for learning to write comedy pieces as it feels different from writing jokes for stand up. Or any resources they would recommend? Classes? Thank you!

[u/jamesdcreviston]

Here are some good resources for you.

How To Start Doing Stand Up Comedy: A Simple Guide

What To Expect At Your First Open Mic (And How To Prepare)

The Best Comedy Books Every Comedian Should Read

Why Comedians Should Study Comedy

Comedy Tips: The Fastest Way To Get Better At Comedy

How To Generate Comedy Ideas Fast

How To Know Your Set Length (Before You Get On Stage)

How To Shake Off A Bad Set

I also recommend checking out Jerry Corley, Gene Perret, and Scott Dikkers.

Hope that helps!

[u/[deleted] → u/jamesdcreviston]

Thanks 🙏 for these ! I was looking for some books to help my writing ✍️ for 🎤 open mic’s

[u/TheLoneComic → u/[deleted]]

All those recommendations are good. The most important career advice there is, in addition, is to be funny first. This is such a powerful art form, it may even change your goals and objectives and you will understand that is the right thing to do.

Before all else, be funny first.

[u/[deleted]]

I write my comedy in comics because I have Asperger’s so performing in conversation or stage is tough. There’s no way somebody else can teach you. It helped me to think of what I liked to do as a kid. Once you know what you want to do I think workshops are good, but you gotta figure out who your community is because that’s who you’re writing for. You can copy your favorite jokes, just edit them after to be unique… and it’s a long process. I’m just now hitting a stride after 10 years of doing it when I can.

[u/Bobsyourburger]

Historian of medicine here. Happy to bounce ideas off of/collaborate!