I didn’t realize the difference between humor and comedy until I read this helpful article by Jean Wilund on Almost an Author.
I see the difference this way. When I do a pratfall on a slick spot in the driveway, that’s humor. I didn’t intend to do the action to make people laugh. If my oldest makes a joke about my pratfall, that’s comedy. He is intent on saying something funny.
I am definitely a humor writer. I create characters or a setting, and as I’m writing the scene, the possible humor of the situation or personalities comes to me. If that observation is suitable for my main character to notice, I include it.
Which do you prefer as a writer? Humor? Or comedy?
I may have a little of both in me. But I think I may be more of a comedy writer.
I think writing comedy is harder. You have to think very deliberately about being funny.
Yes!
I never thought about the difference before. I definitely prefer humor, but I think both humor and comedy are incredibly difficult to write.
That’s very true. Because a sense of humor is so subjective. Finding situations or comments most people find funny seems so hard.
So, then do you try to write something you find funny or something you think your intended audience will think is funny? Or maybe, you and your audience agree. Hmm. I think I’ll stay away from trying to write humor and comedy for now. I think it’s great you add humor to your writing.