During the inevitable down times, when thoughts turn dark and things feel impossible, you have to remind yourself of the good things and remember how joyful writing, creating can be. I recently stumbled across this fabulous video thanks to a fabulous blog called When I Grow Up. I’m not a big Jim Carrey fan, but I think I’m going to have to see Yes Man just to see this band that has the wonderful name of Munchhausen by Proxy:
Tag Archives: humour
Reading in NY
I will be reading at East Line Books later this month in Clifton Park, NY. What shall I read?
HOT SUMMER NIGHT
Attention Romance Lovers!
Coming in August, East Line Books will sponsor a Hot Summer Night of Romance Readings, Scrumptious Snacks, Games, Prizes, Laughter, and the most amazing array of Romance Novels you could ever imagine!!!
Wednesday August 19th
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Cost: No cover charge if you spend $5 on books!
Note: Comedian Steve Smoller will open the night with ten minutes of stand-up comedy exploring romance–Don’t miss it!
RSVP 371-4151 or email Robyn Ringler at RLDSR12@aol.com
Ornery 11 @ Neve Black’s featuring Inara
The one and only Inara Lavey laps up your acclaim over at the penultimate stop on the Ornery 11 blog tour. We’re hosted by the hoot-a-licious Never Black, writer and bon vivant. Join us for the usual hilarious fun as we hang out with the witty women of Ravenous Romance.
Of course, we can bribe you, too — there are valuable prizes to be won! All comments enter you to win the daily giveaways (books! gift certificates!)
Having a Laugh
I had a lot of fun writing my 50s sci-fi film parody “Not Rocket Science” for the EXPERIMENTAL anthology. When I saw the call for submissions I did what I usually do: close my eyes and see if an idea jumps immediately to mind. What does “science” say to me, I mused. The first thing to pop into my head was The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, Larry Blamire’s hilarious spoof of the same genre. It’s a dead-on and loving recreation of that era which seems equal parts romanticism about science and terror of the unknown coming from the skies. One group of friends invented a drinking game around the movie, which requires you to take a sip every time anyone says “science.” It’s great fun. The film works so well because everyone is so completely deadpan. Brilliant!
This story made me realise how much I like to work humour into my stories, something I hadn’t really thought about before. Well, I always like to work humour into everything I do, but I didn’t particularly think about the link between sex and laughter. I realised it’s very important for me. My characters are always smiling and laughing as they make love. Even when humour’s not the point of the story, it works its way in. My story “Love on a Spoon” for the wonderful AMBROSIA anthology has an off-hand reference to a very funny routine by dishy Irish comedian Dylan Moran. Within the narrative, it shows the shared sense of humour between the two friends who are about to become lovers.
A lot of my stories are filled with references to classic British comedy, particularly my idol, Peter Cook whom Stephen Fry (a very witty man himself) called “the funniest man who ever drew breath.” He was incredibly witty and devastatingly handsome, too. With Dudley Moore (known over here mostly for Arthur and 10) he was part of the funniest duo on British tv. Unfortunately, not as many people know him in this country, apart from his appearance in The Princess Bride (“mawwiage!”). I’m not sure there’s much of an overlap between Peter Cook fans and erotic romance fans, but you never know. There might be the occasional reader who gets a chuckle from the same things I do.
