The Dr. Kristine Laco Wholesome 12-Word Challenge

Summary

The website content details the Dr. Kristine Laco Wholesome 12-Word Challenge, a lighter take on previous challenges that involved more risqué themes, with the aim of inspiring humor despite the author's recent struggle to find their funny bone.

Abstract

The Dr. Kristine Laco Wholesome 12-Word Challenge is introduced as a new iteration of a recurring writing challenge that previously included provocative words. The author reveals a personal loss of humor and a subsequent attempt to regain it through a regimen prescribed by "Dr. Funny." Despite the challenge, the author is inspired by Dr. Laco to adopt a more wholesome approach, using words like "puppies," "rainbows," and "sunshine" instead of the darker themes of past challenges. The article expresses the author's gratitude for Dr. Laco's support and encourages the community to use the provided list of wholesome words to create humorous stories, with the hope of reigniting their own comedic inspiration.

Opinions

The author admits to having lost their sense of humor and is taking steps to recover it, including following doctor's orders for rest and story consumption.
There is a hint of self-deprecation in the author's tone, particularly when discussing the possibility of relapsing into past vices or the absurdity of the situations depicted in previous challenges.
The author expresses a mix of skepticism and optimism about the new direction of the challenge, questioning its comedic potential but also expressing curiosity about the creative outcomes.
Dr. Laco is portrayed as a supportive figure who has contributed positively to the author's life, both through her challenge and her personal encouragement.
The author acknowledges the loyalty of the Dr. Funny community and does not want to disappoint them, indicating a sense of responsibility and connection to the readers.
There is an underlying excitement and challenge to the readers to subvert the wholesomeness of the provided words to create something humorous and perhaps a bit dark, reflecting the author's comedic style.

My, how the turn tables…

Dr. Kristine lecturing students in the 1950s. Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

For those familiar with the 12-word challenges of the past several months, you know we’ve used words like prostitute, dumpster, erection, fetus, republican, rotting, orgasm, sports fan, colon, bullshit, crying, Doritos™, Satan, etc. Those have made some hilarious but pretty dark stories.

To fully disclose my own personal situation, I’ve lost my humor. While making a serious attempt at getting my proverbial shit together, I may have broken my funny bone.

I’m serious, you guys. I’m just not funny anymore. Outside of these challenges, I haven’t written much humor in months. I’ve lost the edge; I held on too tight. I’m turning in my wings.

I called Dr. Funny for a consult, and he’s put me on a regimen of bed rest and 4–6 Dr. Funny stories per day. In addition to the doctor’s orders, the good doc put me in a splint, hoping that either I’ll fall off the wagon and start drinking again or I’ll accidentally trip and fall face-first into a small mountain of cocaine — which has been known to happen.

To try to get into the swing of the challenge, I went back to read some of the 12-word stories. All I can say is: WTF.

Seriously. I’ve written about molesting unicorns on my birthday. And how my dental hygienist totally wants me. I mean, how many times can we write about prostitutes giving handies behind Applebee's for bags of Doritos™? Or about ecstasy-fueled erection parades in Colorado? Okay, we can always write about them. But will it keep being funny? Yes, it will. And also crying, drunk republicans. They’re everywhere and funny every damned time.

Despite turning in my Dr. Funny wings, I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing the loyal Dr. Funny community and stop doing the challenge.

When I told Dr. Laco that her Moist Wordle piece only made me think of cake, she accused me of being some kind of imposter, implying that I was, at heart, a disturbed and vile individual. She said I needed to add something “cuddly” like puppies and baby seals to the challenge.

screenshot of the implication by author

As sensitive as our little fruit cup Kristine is, I couldn’t disappoint her. I decided to soften the words a bit for this month. Besides, with a broken funny bone, I had no other ideas. Kristine was kind enough to provide me with a list of acceptable words, and I can’t thank her enough for her generosity and kindness.

I had planned to add a few of my own twisted words to this list, but I’m more curious to see what you can do with nothing but words as pure as the wind-driven snow. I hope you take these words and make something gruesome and deranged with them. I need you to inspire me to be funny again.

Without further ado, I present to you the softer, gentler September Dr. Funny challenge words — sponsored by Pampers and Canada.

Puppies

Rainbows

Sunshine

Lollypops

Snuggles

Unicorns

Birthday Cake

Giggled

Summertime

Running

Ice Cream

Naptime

Bonus word(s): Gape (Thanks, Gunner.)

Fuck me up, Fam.

In all seriousness, I haven’t totally lost my funny bone, but I have been getting my shit together, and I’ve been busy doing other stuff. I’ll return to funny business soon enough. You’ll all be sorry.

Here’s last month’s challenge in case you wanna get weird.

THIS IS WHERE THE KICKER GOES

The Dr. Kristine Laco Wholesome 12-Word Challenge

My, how the turn tables…

Woman Falls Asleep During Stabbing

The August Doctor Funny 12(ish)-word Challenge