CANCELLED
Humor Writing in Troubled Times
While it might not feel like there’s much to laugh about these days, science has shown that humor can help us survive and thrive. OK, we just made that up, but it sure beats wallowing in a pit of despair.
The real question is: can humor writing be taught? No. You are either funny or you’re not. But that shouldn’t stop you from attending this workshop. The instructor’s been cooped up laughing at her own jokes for months, and she needs the company. (OK, that’s a joke. If you didn’t get it, you definitively need to attend.)
While mere instruction can’t turn a dullard into a wit, one can gain some tricks and tips for the effective use of humor in all types of writing. Topics include various types of mirth making—puns, parody, irony, satire and, for the 12-year-old boy in all of us, puerile humor—as well as humor dangers (no, not slipping on a banana peel: offending people), and the likable vs. the unlikable narrator. Students will be shown how to imbue their bathos with a little pathos to prove to the world that humorists have a serious side too and should be given some respect, for crying out loud.
Participants will be asked to submit their humor essay/excerpt prior to the workshop. From there, each participant will receive two manuscripts to fully mark up, based on provided guidelines. A thorough vetting of the assigned manuscripts is not expected—just a thoughtful and engaged reading of the work in order to bring a few questions and personal insights to the table. Participants will have access to each submission to review prior to the meeting in order to aid in a lively discussion, with Peavey facilitating and cuing the laugh track.
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit a humor essay or excerpt of no more than 1,000 words by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22. Please take this deadline and word limit seriously as late submissions likely cannot be accepted, and excess words will be cut. Please note that these manuscripts will be distributed in advance via email to the other workshop participants. Please email the manuscript to perry@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “PEAVEY WORKSHOP MSS.” Please use standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman) in a Word doc (ideally) or PDF only, please.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online, using the video meeting platform Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, October 29, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, MWPA’s Hannah Perry will offer a test session on Zoom. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the test session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
The hilarious (just ask her) Elizabeth Peavey was a humor columnist for 20 years (“Outta My Way,” Casco Bay Weekly, and “Outta My Yard,” The Bollard). Her one-woman show, My Mother’s Clothes Are Not My Mother, was awarded the Maine Literary Award for drama, but is in fact very, very funny. She’s the author of three books, and her countless essays and features have appeared in numerous publications, including Down East magazine, where she’s a contributing editor. She served as a lecturer of public speaking at USM for 20 years and has taught memoir writing since the days of quill and parchment. She provides communications training – with an emphasis on story – to companies and organizations and is a frequent keynote and guest lecturer at conferences and schools. All of which is to say she’s never been able to hold down a real job.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via PayPal. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Hannah Perry at hannah@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information. Please note that mail delivery to the MWPA office is currently experiencing extensive delays, so please email hannah@mainewriters.org first if you would like to register by mail.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on October 19 at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION