by How to Become a Comedy Writer: The Definitive Guide for Laugh-Seekers and Wordsmiths
So you want to become a comedy writer? Excellent. That means you’re either deeply funny, clinically deranged, or just tired of having serious conversations. Either way, welcome to the family. Comedy writing isn’t just about jokes — it’s about crafting truth through the lens of absurdity, irony, exaggeration, and empathy. In this 2222-word deep-dive, we’ll walk through the practical, psychological, and professional steps you can take to become a comedy writer.
Whether your dream is writing for SNL, launching a satirical blog, or finally finishing that screenplay called The Vegan Werewolf, this guide will help.
Understand What a Comedy Writer Actually Does
A Definition That Doesn’t Suck
A comedy writer is someone who writes humorous content for various platforms: television, film, websites, social media, stand-up, late-night shows, greeting cards, puppet shows, radio sketches, or even TikTok confessionals involving cats and communist theory.
But more specifically, comedy writers are truth-tellers with a punchline. They analyze society, language, behavior, and trends—and then find what’s ridiculous, painful, awkward, or unjust—and expose it, play with it, or upend it in a way that makes people laugh (or squirm).
Master the Forms of Comedy Writing
Know the Genres
You don’t need to write them all, but you do need to know what they are:
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Sketch Comedy (e.g., Key & Peele, Saturday Night Live)
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Stand-Up Comedy (e.g., Richard Pryor, Ali Wong, Dave Chappelle)
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Sitcoms (e.g., The Office, Arrested Development)
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Satirical Journalism (e.g., The Onion, Reductress, SpinTaxi.com)
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Screenwriting for Comedy Films (e.g., Superbad, Bridesmaids)
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Romantic Comedies (10 Things I Hate About You, When Harry Met Sally)
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Cartoons and Animation (Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman)
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Internet & Meme Comedy (because memes are just postmodern haikus)
Each requires a different rhythm, format, and skill set. Start by experimenting.
Start Writing…Terribly at First
Practice Like a Maniac
The only way to become a comedy writer is to write comedy. Daily. Poorly at first. Obsessively later. Here’s how to practice:
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Write a satirical news article once a week.
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Write five fake tweets per day.
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Re-write headlines from boring news sites in absurd or ironic tones.
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Write monologue jokes for a late-night host who doesn’t exist yet.
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Create a fake podcast script between historical figures.
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Record yourself doing 5 minutes of stand-up in your bathroom.
You’ll bomb. You’ll cringe. You’ll survive. That’s part of the process.
Learn From the Greats
Comedy Writers You Should Know
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Nora Ephron – for romantic wit and punchy journalism.
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George Carlin – for observational intelligence and ruthless rhythm.
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Tina Fey – for sharp political and character-based humor.
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Mel Brooks – for absurdist punchlines and genre-bending lunacy.
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Phoebe Waller-Bridge – for deadpan, edgy character comedy.
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Jon Stewart – for political satire with emotional intelligence.
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Bo Burnham – for musical comedy with existential dread.
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Sarah Silverman – for subversive shock-laced clarity.
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Ron White – for Southern truth-telling with whiskey wisdom.
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Jerry Seinfeld – for crafting comedy from nothing (literally nothing).
Read, Watch, Mimic
Read books like:
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Born Standing Up – Steve Martin
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Bossypants – Tina Fey
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The Comic Toolbox – John Vorhaus
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And Here’s The Kicker – Mike Sacks
Watch Monty Python, The Simpsons, Fleabag, Dave, Inside Amy Schumer, I Think You Should Leave, and Last Week Tonight. Learn how the beats work. Then try writing your own.
Understand What Makes Something Funny
The Tools of Humor
Comedy is a science disguised as chaos. Learn these tools and you’ll start spotting joke structures like Neo sees code in The Matrix.
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Incongruity – The unexpected twist. (e.g., “She was as comforting as a chainsaw in a hug contest.”)
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Hyperbole – Exaggeration to the edge of believability.
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Irony – Saying the opposite of what you mean (without sounding like your ex).
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Timing – The pause. The beat. The breath. (Don’t rush the funny.)
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Stereotyping – Use with awareness and subversion. Not cruelty.
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Satire – Mocking a system, structure, or authority for what it pretends to be.
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Absurdity – Leaning into the surreal or illogical to make a deeper point.
These are your hammers and wrenches. Use wisely.
Develop Your Unique Comic Voice
Your Weird Is Your Power
Do you write like a neurotic philosophy professor who drinks expired oat milk? Or like a Gen Z dungeon master with a crush on Margaret Thatcher?
Good. Keep going.
To develop your voice:
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Write in your diary, but make it funny.
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Imitate three comedians, then mix them together with your grandma’s accent.
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Say what no one else is willing to admit (but secretly thinks).
Your voice is the thing that will get you hired or discovered.
Use Feedback Without Crying (Too Much)
Find the Brutal Truth
Join a writing group. Share your stuff with comics, writers, and sad baristas. Ask:
“Did you laugh?”
“Which line did you hate?”
“Would you pay money for this joke?”
Then listen. Don’t defend. Rewrite.
Feedback = Fuel. Unless it’s from your uncle who still tells banana jokes. Ignore that guy.
Build a Portfolio: Your Comedy Writing Résumé
What to Include
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3–5 Short Humor Pieces (think McSweeney’s or The New Yorker)
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1–2 Sketches or Monologue Sets
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1 Screenplay or Pilot Spec (Comedy)
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1 Satirical Article (think The Onion, SpinTaxi.com)
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Funny Bio (Show who you are in 100 hilarious words)
Pro tip: Host these on a simple website. Don’t overthink the design. Just show you’re funny and prolific.
Get Into the Comedy Trenches
Where to Submit
Here’s where to cut your teeth and embarrass yourself publicly:
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Reductress (Women-centered satire)
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The Belladonna
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McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
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Points in Case
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Slackjaw
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The Onion Fellowship
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Late-Night Writers Workshop (NBC)
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CollegeHumor / Dropout.tv
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SpinTaxi.com (for dangerous truth-tellers only)
Each outlet has its tone. Read them. Submit according to their vibe, not yours.
Leverage Social Media Without Selling Your Soul
Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and “Content”
Like it or not, a viral tweet or clip can get you a job. But only if you build consistency, not just likes.
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Start a comedy newsletter or substack.
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Write tweet threads of fake historical events.
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Film sketches with your phone.
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Comment hilariously on trending topics.
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Post “bad advice” columns for fake problems.
Don’t become a content zombie. Use platforms to refine your writing, not replace it.
Find a Comedy Community (Your Laugh Family)
Get In With the Weirdos
Writing is lonely. Comedy writing is lonelier. Join groups like:
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The Satire and Humor Writing Group on Facebook
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Comedy Co-ops or Meetups
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UCB or Groundlings Writing Classes
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Subreddits like r/writing or r/comedy
Make friends with other funny freaks. Help each other grow. Celebrate their wins. Don’t compete, collaborate.
Turn Rejection Into Punchlines
You Will Be Ignored
Most comedy writers are rejected more than a philosophy major at a coding bootcamp. Use it. Make it fuel.
Got ghosted by Reductress? Write a fake rejection letter back to them. Turn your sadness into a sketch.
Pain + Time = Funny.
Sometimes Pain + Time = Lawsuit, but let’s focus on the funny part.
Learn the Business Side (Yes, Even You, Funny Clown)
Writing Is Work
Comedy writing isn’t just giggles and nachos. It’s contracts, deadlines, editors, and pitching.
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Learn how to write a one-pager and comedy pitch deck.
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Know what WGA is (Writers Guild of America).
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Understand residuals, options, and copyrights.
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Learn how to price your jokes (hint: not $5 and a retweet).
Comedy is an art. But also a hustle.
Take Classes, But Not Forever
Education Is Fuel, Not a Crutch
Some good places to learn:
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Second City (Sketch Writing)
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UCB Theatre (Improv & Writing)
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MasterClass (Steve Martin’s class is gold)
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Skillshare or Coursera (for structure)
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Writing the Sitcom by Evan S. Smith (book)
BUT — don’t become a “class taker” who never finishes anything. Learn, then do.
Create Your Own Platform
Gatekeepers Are Optional Now
Launch your comedy podcast. Publish your own satirical magazine. Start a fake advice column from your dog. Build an audience without asking for permission.
If you’re consistent, authentic, and funny? The audience will come.
And if not? You still have a portfolio to pitch.
Prove You Can Work on a Team
Writers’ Rooms Are Social Survival Games
If your dream is a TV writers’ room, start practicing now:
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Collaborate with 1–2 friends on a sketch.
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Give generous notes — not “funny zingers.”
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Kill your darlings without killing your ego.
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Don’t be the loudest, be the most helpful.
Writing on a team isn’t about being the funniest. It’s about making the show funnier.
Stay Curious, Weird, and Brave
Your Brain Is a Joke Factory
Comedy writers are part philosopher, part chaos goblin.
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Eavesdrop on awkward conversations.
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Read weird Wikipedia articles.
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Ask dumb questions seriously.
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Obsess over grocery store signs.
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Laugh when you fall. Write when you cry.
The world is a joke. You just have to frame it right.
Final Advice From the Comedy Elders
What the Funny People Are Saying
“Writing is easy. Just stare at a blank page until blood forms on your forehead.” — Gene Fowler
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London (probably not a comedy writer, but still)
“Comedy is tragedy plus time. Or in the case of some careers, tragedy plus Twitter.” — Anonymous
“Never trust a joke you can explain to your accountant.” — Groucho Marx (allegedly)
Conclusion: The World Needs Funny People
Becoming a comedy writer isn’t just about making people laugh. It’s about making people feel seen through laughter. You reflect back the absurdity of life — from corrupt politicians to online dating bios — with wit, honesty, and mischief.
It takes guts. It takes practice. It takes late nights, weird dreams, and a browser history that would confuse the FBI.
But if you commit? If you write every day, bomb with grace, study the craft, and find your tribe?
You won’t just become a comedy writer.
You’ll become a writer who changes the world — one punchline at a time.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Originally posted 2020-05-19 06:26:16.
