Situational Humor

Situational Humor is not super hard to write. Some people seem more naturally drawn to it in their writing.

But it's simple.

Start with one thing. One simple moment...say your character plans to do something. They want to step forward to volunteer for an important mission at the Big Important Meeting later that day.

Then ruin it. And not just "character steps forward to volunteer and awkwardly stutters something" ruin it.

We are talking "humiliate them to the end of time" ruin it.

While putting on their boots to leave for the meeting, they remember their boots are still soaking wet from being out in the rain the previous day. They can either slosh their way across town, or break out their spare pair.

They vote for the spare pair of boots and then on their way out the door, they remember why it's the spare pair...the boots are two sizes too big.

So they slap-slap their way across town, worrying about being late, when the neighbor grabs holt of their elbow and reminds the MC about some task or other that the MC had promised to do. And they want it done now. So the MC has no choice but to hurriedly weed the garden or cut the grass or whatever, and in the process they get stung by a bee and now their face is swollen on one side and they're sweaty from all the labor.

So off the MC slap-slaps in their extra large boots, hurrying to the meeting so they don't arrive too late...and then they're almost there when a friend steps in front of their path with a huge goose under each arm. "Look what I got at auction!" the friend grins. "I got one for both of us!"

Trying to thank the friend through gasping breaths, the MC grabs the squawking goose gift and continues the race towards the Important Town Meeting. Banging the doors open 2 minutes after the hour, the MC bursts into the meeting, beet red and dripping in sweat, wearing boots two sizes too big, with a hugely swollen cheek from a bee sting, and carrying an angry goose. "I volunteer!" the MC manages to say, trying to regain any remaining shreds of dignity. "I can do this important task!"

*mic drop*

And there you have it. Situational Humor. No snark. Not a quick one-liner. But a couple paragraphs of a growing situation.

Learn anything?

Like me recapitulate.

-Take a situation.

-Decide to ruin it.

-Start with something simple happening.

-Add something else to happen.

-Add a third thing.

-And a fourth.

-Continue until peak chaos has ensued.

Okay, so there's a little more to it than that. There are a few things you need to be aware of in order to write Situational Humor.

Be willing to make a "cool" character less cool. That cool, black leather outfit is out. Spending almost the entire book in Pajama Pants because stuff keeps happening and the character has no time to change is in. I may not be able to relate to "knives hidden in every conceivable place" (okay, so some of my friends might argue that) but I can relate to "I just came downstairs in my PJs and apparently we have company and now I'm outside chasing a cow in the middle of the night in my bathrobe and slippers."

One thing in itself may not be super funny, but a number of things happening at one time is what makes a situation hilarious. The MC showing up in the meeting room with a goose might be kinda funny. But you gotta add in all the other stuff to paint a truly memorable moment.

Anyways, there you have it!! Please drop some of your favorite situational humor moments below!! I'd love to hear them!!