Funnily Enough: An Introduction to Writing Short Humor

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow Presents “Funnily Enough: An Introduction to Writing Short Humor”

Funnily enough, youcan teach yourself how to effectively use humor in your writing. The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is proud to present “Funnily Enough: An Introduction to Writing Short Humor,” a workshop instructed by Marco Kaye. The  course will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on Saturday, October 16, at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow, 515 Spring Street in Eureka Springs. The workshop fee is $25.00. Proceeds benefit the WCDH scholarship fund providing financial aid to emerging writers and marginalized voices for writing residencies. To ensure the safety of participants, WCDH COVID protocols are in effect, and registration is limited to allow for adequate distancing. Come for the laughs, stay for the insights.  Register by going to https://www.writerscolony.org/events or calling 479-253-7444 .

Short written humor has proliferated the internet, with humor websites and viral pieces like Colin Nissan’s “It’s Decorative Gourd Season” and Kimberly Harrington’s “Please don’t Get Murdered at School Today” illustrating the ability of comedy to tackle everything from seasonal fun to today’s most pressing topics. In “Funnily Enough,” the class will explore at what makes a piece funny. The structure of short humor pieces will be examined. Participants will learn the difference between an idea and a premise and what makes a specific joke land. Kaye will divulge his writing process and ways of brainstorming humor pieces. This workshop will spark inspiration to write short humor pieces . No writing experience is necessary. Familiarity with The New Yorker’s“Shouts & Murmurs” page (http://newyorker.com/humor) or the satire on McSweeney’s (http://mcsweeneys.net) is a plus.

Marco Kaye is a winner of the 2021 “­­Humor Me” fellowship, open writers who use humor as a key element in their work. He wasselected from 58 applications for his writing’s literary merit and promise of publication. Kaye has been writing short humor since 2007 when he published his first piece on the satirical website McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. He won the James Jones First Novel Fellowship for his novel-in-progress. His humor writing has appeared on the New Yorker’s “Daily Shouts,” and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. In addition to his fiction, he has worked as a copywriter and Creative Director for eighteen years in advertising, winning the industry’s highest accolades and honors, including the top prize at Cannes. He lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife and three sons. Kaye will be in residence at Dairy Hollow editing his book “Levon” and starting a new project, “The Barrens.”

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to nurture writers of all genres, backgrounds, and levels of experience in a supportive environment that builds community, energizes creative expression, stimulates new thinking, and optimizes productivity. Since opening its doors to writers in 2000, the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow has made a lasting impact on the arts and literary communities hosting over 1,700 writers from 48 states and 13 countries. For more information, please visit www.writerscolony.orgor call Michelle Hannon or Jeanne Glass at (479)253-7444.