I write funny books.
At least, I try to write funny books. Since I’m not yet published, you’ll have to take my word for it.
My critique partners assure me I’m funny — bless their (undoubtedly misguided, exceedingly generous and kind-spirited) little hearts.
Lately, however, I’ve been wondering why I try so hard to see the humor in life. Because — let’s face it — life is not always funny.
And I realized that’s why. It’s because life can be so hard, so unexplainably and unexpectedly tragic.
Horrible things have happened to people I love, horrible things I can’t do a damned thing about. I can’t bring my brother back, make my friends well, or stop my colleague’s son’s car from going off the road.
There are times when the only alternative to laughter is to start crying and never stop. And making people laugh isn’t about ignoring tragedy; it’s a way of dealing with it or perhaps just escaping from beneath it for a few seconds.
I read about an author who had a fan call her books her “happy place.” The writer commented about what a good thing that was to be, someone’s happy place.
It reminded me of my friend Pat Carterette telling me about a committee she was on. She said something like, “I’m not really sure why they asked me to be on this committee. I don’t have the knowledge to contribute like the rest of the members, so I just figure I’m their comic relief.”
Pat is gone now, but if I can do that — be someone’s happy place or their comic relief — in person, my books or my blogs, that would be a very good thing indeed.
Reading, Writing, Ranting and Raving 
One of my medical providers once asked me how I was dealing with everything and I said “inappropriate humor”. It’s cheaper than therapy!
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I’m a big believer in inappropriate humor! And I love it that you said that to your doc!
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Amen, Kym. LIfe’s too hard to get through without laughs!
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Thanks, Miranda. 🙂
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I recently read about a study that found that emotions can be generated by actions. We tend to think that we’re happy and so we laugh, but it seems the process also works in reverse — laughing first can lead us to feel happy. As you said, laughter is so important whether it’s for relief or escape or just to bring some balance back into life. How wonderful to be someone’s happy place!
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I recently read about a study that found that emotions can be generated by actions. We tend to think that we’re happy and so we laugh, but it seems the process also works in reverse — laughing first can lead us to feel happy. As you said, laughter is so important whether it’s for relief or escape or just to bring some balance back into life. How wonderful to be someone’s happy place!
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And that’s what I aspire to – being someone’s happy place. Thanks, Wendy, for stopping by and for commenting.
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“Funny” is not the opposite of “serious”, despite what others might think. A laugh can lift spirits or lighten moods or break the ice. It takes a good eye and a strong heart to find humor in even the toughest of situations, and I’m glad you chose to use that in your writing. I look forward to reading a book with your name on it someday.
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Thanks for stopping by, KD, and for leaving a comment, especially one that’s so apt. I think sometimes laughter is the only way to get through the serious times.
And I look forward to reading a book with my name on it someday too! 🙂
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