HUMOR WRITERS & READERS

Which Kind of HUMOR Really Tickles Your Funny Bone ?

These writers and their stories are making readers laugh!

In the Medium community of diverse writers, you’ll find quite a few of them who specialize in writing humor.

For some reason that I had never bothered to consider, I never go out of my way to enjoy something that will make me laugh.

I took a little time to ponder over this issue recently, after reading a story written by a writer I follow, though I hadn’t read or connected with him in a while.

I was instantly moved by a comment from Dan Hiland, indicating in a matter-of-fact way, that perhaps his low Medium stats were possibly warranted because of his less than superior writing.

This is what his public comment stated:

“I guess that the secret to success is acknowledge that my writing is s**t, and that even if it isn’t, I’ll need to publish another 20,000 articles before more people start looking at them.”

Since I doubted that was truly the case, I made a point to go read several of his recent stories. One of them was super impressive.

And that brings me to the humorous story that really tickled my funny bone.

The story was titled: Hiland & Associates: Our Year in Review

This story is so cleverly written, that only observant readers will be able to appreciate the humorous approach he uses, to get his point across.

In fact, once you take some time to absorb what’s actually being discussed, you’ll find the story to be that much more fun and enjoyable!

Without giving any spoilers, let me just say, if you like reading about Medium stats, earnings, and another writer’s progress, you’ll love Dan’s story.

This just might be one of the most creatively written stories that you ever read, that discusses Medium activities.

It was definitely my kind of humor.

So it got me thinking…

What other types of humor have the most appeal?

Normally, I rarely select to read books or stories, or even watch movies or t.v shows that are classified as comedy.

Why? Hell if I know.

Not only do I have a pretty good sense of humor and I love love love to laugh, but I also consider myself to be a bit comedic most of the time (Both funny ha ha and funny peculiar).

But for some reason, when it comes time to choose how I want to be entertained, the humor category is the last choice on my list.

The more I began to analyze what the deal is, with me and how I view humor, the more I began to question what kind of humor makes me laugh, and what kind I usually have a tendency to reject.

Right off the bat, I ruled out any humor that is based on singling people out, only to belittle them or put them down — just because.

I mean really, what is that all about? I don’t get it, and I don’t find it funny.

On the other hand, besides cleverly written content like the story I mentioned above, I also enjoy funny stories and entertainment that contain sarcasm and irony.

I guess that’s what draws me to Medium writers like Sherry McGuinn, and Michael Burg, MD (Satire Sommelier), and more recently, Joan Gershman and others.

Sherry’s writing is immediately seen as in your face — straight up humor, dripping with sarcasm. That’s because it’s always rooted in truth, dipped in a bit of irony.

If you don’t believe me, check out her titles like:

• How to be a Ridiculously Great-Looking Older Broad
• Women, if You Don’t Want Attention From Random Men, Don’t Bare Your Ass at the Gym

Then of course, there’s the good old doc, who’s also a favorite of mine. Mike’s stories are funny, and not necessarily in a subtle way.

I don’t know why, but his form of comedy always seems to be accompanied by a wink and a nod.

For that reason alone, not all readers can comprehend just what a funny guy the doc is. Unless he’s sharing one of his obvious doctor jokes like:

“Hmmm, I wonder which asshole has my pen!”

The way that humor writers are acknowledged within the community has prompted the need for a more serious discussion from this comedic writer.

Recently, he wrote about “writers who publish humor on Medium”, at a time when he would normally be focusing on one of his side busting stories instead.

Many good points about the lack of recognition for humor stories was made.

Have you read: If Laughter is the Best Medicine, Why Doesn’t Medium Support This Valuable Therapy More Strongly?

According to the doc, apparently comedic writers on this platform aren’t really happy with the way Medium ignores them in the boosting process.

In that particular story, he had this to say:

“Sure humor writers are a rag-tag bunch and frequently impaired or straight-up dysfunctional, but that’s part of our abrasive charm.”

I can’t help but agree, and believe that sometimes humor writers are misunderstood by the masses.

It takes a particular type of person to enjoy certain types of humor.

Not everyone is like the rest of the world, who simply wants the same old silly, slapstick comedy that won’t make them have to think too much.

Myself, I try not to judge, especially when I realize that sometimes, there’s no explanation for why some types of comedy appeals to us, while some types don’t.

Personally, I don’t overthink it. I just laugh if I find something funny…

What we write about matters with humor

Clearly, what we write about matters a whole lot, when you stop to analyze what type of stories make you laugh, versus the ones’ you find offensive.

This is evident in one of the stories written by Joan, one of the three writers I cited in an earlier paragraph.

Of the three writers I mentioned, I’ve been following Joan for the shortest amount of time.

I was pleasantly surprised when I read a funny story she wrote, one that I could really relate to as an older woman.

Joan wrote a hilarious story called: How to Score a Quality Online Date — Ultimate Guide for Senior Women, and I guess you could say, it’s one of those funny, but ironic stories.

Although she is definitely among the writers on Medium that I would put in the “humor” category, the topic she chose to write about didn’t hurt either.

No matter your age or gender, if you want a good laugh, I suggest giving the story a read.

Final Thoughts

Whoever it was that said “laughter is good medicine” couldn’t have been more right.

Writers who enjoy using words to make us laugh are to be commended.

We should support them, by remembering to include their stories when we talk about the content we read.

I promote a lot of different stories and writers on Medium, but it’s mostly the content focused on earnings and stats.

Oddly enough, the one thing that can help a disappointed, disgruntled, and discouraged Medium writer feel better about things, is humor.

A bit of wit from the right writer at the right time can do wonders.

Do you make a point of choosing humor stories to read on Medium?

I admit, in the past, I haven’t really gone out of my way to check out more Medium writers who like to make us laugh.

However, this story is my way to start drawing attention to some of these talented writers, and whether they’re getting boosted or not, it’s still good to know that they exist.

Thanks for reading…