I have not been a huge proponent of craft books (yeah, yeah I know about the grammar books, and as my CPs can attest, I don’t use them much either–that’s why I keep them around)–I don’t have anything against them–mostly, I don’t have the time to read nowadays and I have never recommended one to anyone. So color me surprised when after reading only two chapters, I wanted to tell you about this book.
Lori Wilde spoke at the ‘Buds retreat earlier this month as I mentioned arleady. While there, she suggested several books, one being: The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus. I like to be silly, I am uber-sarcastic, and I try to write funny at times so I thought what the heck . . . .
The first two chapters of the book alone were worth every penny!
Sometimes, you may be in a slump–I know I have been with my writing–then you read something that unexpectedly gives you direction again.
Vorhaus, without going into too great a detail (BUY THE BOOK), helps you get past the doubting-self-’ems and you-suck-’ems with a few simple techniques. I realize this is not necessarily what he had in mind by offering up the exercises, but it had a profound result for me–don’t take myself so seriously and finish the dern book!
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to write funny, anyone who likes to read funny (non-fiction–it is a craft book after all) and maybe just maybe for one or two who need a little direction!
He’s damn funny!
