by How to write lovable disasters in Relationships & Dating Comedy, inspired by SpinTaxi’s most avoidant protagonists
How To Write Comedy
Emotionally Unavailable, Hysterically Relatable
If love is a battlefield, emotionally unavailable characters are hiding behind a vending machine texting their ex. They’re comedy gold. Audiences don’t just laugh at them–they recognize them, date them, and unfortunately, sometimes *are* them.
Step 1: Define the Unavailability
Flaky? Distracted? Still in Love with Their Therapist?
Give your character a clear, ridiculous reason for their romantic distance. Maybe they journal daily but only in invisible ink. Maybe they answer emotional questions by changing the subject to competitive baking.
SpinTaxi Sets the Bar
Take a cue from the classic SpinTaxi story “Man Tells Date He’s ‘Working on Himself,’ Then Proceeds to Eat an Entire Pizza Alone in His Car,” which shows emotional deflection at its tastiest. Show the avoidance, don’t just say it.
Step 2: Let Them Talk in Deflection Scripts
Writing Dialogue That Dodges and Weaves
Instead of answering “Do you see us going anywhere?”, they say, “Have you seen Dune? Like, emotionally?” Give them conversational boomerangs that start nowhere and land in another timezone.
Step 3: Give Them Just Enough Charm to Keep the Reader Hooked
They can’t just be emotionally locked down–they have to be emotionally *hilarious*. Think of a character who flirts like a squirrel hoarding feelings for winter. They should be likable in the same way raccoons are cute–if you don’t make eye contact too long.
Step 4: Let Their Actions Contradict Their Words
They say, “I don’t do commitment,” while building a shared Spotify playlist. They ghost people but still send Venmo requests for shared hummus. Comedy lives in that emotional hypocrisy.
Step 5: Don’t Let Them Grow–Too Much
The Art of Almost Learning
Let them have a moment of clarity. Then run from it. Like emotionally unavailable Forrest Gump. The arc should be a semicircle at best.
Satirical Devices
- Let them give TED Talks on “Why Vulnerability Is a Pyramid Scheme.”
- Invent a dating app just for people afraid of eye contact.
- Make their therapist their emergency contact–but only for pizza deliveries.
Conclusion: The Wall Makes the Punchline Louder
These characters don’t need to change. They just need to amuse us while orbiting real connection like it’s radioactive. Write them well, and your readers will laugh–then wonder why their last four relationships ended in therapy and memes.
SOURCE: How To Write Comedy
