The May-June Writers’ Prompt #1

Summary

The website content introduces a writers' prompt from the Second 2020 Writers’ Competition, encouraging participants to write a brief and witty piece, with a special nod to limericks, citing Scott Dikkers and Andy Borowitz as inspirations for brevity and humor.

Abstract

The "Fun and Games" section of the website presents the first prompt of the May-June Writers’ Prompt series, which is part of the Second 2020 Writers’ Competition. The prompt challenges writers to create a piece that is concise, humorous, and no more than 250 words, with extra recognition for limericks. This initiative is inspired by Scott Dikkers, who emphasizes the importance of brevity in writing comedy, as quoted from his book "How to Write Funny." Writers are encouraged to look at Andy Borowitz's work, particularly "The Borowitz Report," for examples of extremely short yet impactful humorous writing. To increase the likelihood of their work being curated, writers are advised to refrain from including tags, calls to action, or personal byline information initially, with the option to add these elements two weeks after submission.

Opinions

The author expresses confidence in the value of Scott Dikkers' Comedy Business School courses, books, and online content, predicting that future selves will appreciate the decision to engage with this material.
The author quotes Scott Dikkers to highlight the significance of brevity in wit and accessibility within comedy writing.
The author suggests that succinctness in writing, as demonstrated by Andy Borowitz, is a skill worth emulating and is likely to enhance the impact of the writer's work.
The author provides practical advice for writers to improve their chances of having their work curated, emphasizing the importance of a clean and focused submission.

Be Brief

I promised in the contest announcement, to deliver the prompts. Lots and lots of prompts.

I’m quite certain that my future self will thank me, sitting here in 2020, for taking Scott Dikkers’ Comedy Business School courses, reading his books, and watching his online videos and facebook live streams. I’m convinced I’ll say it was one of the best choices of the year.

“Brevity is the soul of wit. Brevity is also the soul of accessibility.” — Scott Dikkers, from his book, How to Write Funny

For this prompt, write any brief piece — poetry included — extra kudos for limericks — that is 250 words OR LESS. Remember, for this exercise, less is more. I know some of you will take this literally, Marla Bishop.

Take a look at some of Andy Borowitz’s work. It’s all extremely short.

To enhance your chances of this fine work of art becoming curated, keep all tags, calls to action, sign up for my newsletter notices, and any other personal byline stuff off the bottom. You can come back later — in 2 weeks — and add that in. But for now, leave it off. Trust me on this.

SB — Writing comedy for the past 2 weeks.

FUN AND GAMES

The May-June Writers’ Prompt #1

Be Brief

The Second 2020 Writers’ Competition

Sponsored by Four Publications & With Writers’ Prompts