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“This book really annoys me! It’s exactly the kind of guide I would have liked to write, but was too lazy to get up to it. And also, I didn’t need the praise as much as Jan. But in all honesty, anyone who is seriously interested in humor needs to read ComedyMindset.”

“Of all the books about humour I’ve read, this was definitely the most recent one! I liked ComedyMindset A LOT. It’s succinct, easy to understand, and it definitely would have helped me suck less if I’d read it before my first gig (belated apologies to everybody who was there). It’s never too late to become funnier though, so no matter how new or established a comic you are, you should definitely read Jan’s book. Thank me later!”

What is this?

ComedyMindset is a no-frills guide on how to write a joke and acquiring the mindset needed to become a comedy writer.

It is intended for the complete beginner who wants to make his or her first foray into the world of funny. But also the consummate comedy writing professional who wants one or two new arrows in the quiver while on the hunt for the next big laugh.

And everyone in between.

The book is split into two parts: Comedy and Mindset.

Comedy

The first part is all about how to write a joke. It covers everything from Humor Theory and why we humans laugh to a step by step process on how to find great ideas and turn them into bellylaugh-inducing punchlines.

Mindset

The second part is all about how to write several jokes. It will provide you with information and ideas that will help you get into the right Mindset to get you writing and - more importantly - keep you writing jokes. It is all about how to enjoy the writing process and making writing as easy and fun as a possible. Because I believe what is pleasant, also gets done.

This book is a website

I opted to publish ComedyMindset as a website instead of a printed book, because the goal of ComedyMindset is to get people excited about writing comedy. Putting a guide online helps to keep the entry threshold for newcomers as low as possible, as it is always only a click away and there are no upfront costs.

The entire book is available to you, so you can see for yourself if the book is any good by simply reading it. That said, if you do like ComedyMindset, please support it. You can do that by clicking on the link that says “Donate” at the bottom of each page.

Reading order

I structured ComedyMindset around the assumption that you have never written a joke before. So reading from start to finish will give you a clear path from not knowing anything about comedy writing to knowing something about comedy writing.

But depending where you are in your personal comedy writing journey, some chapters will catch your eye more than others and it is completely fine to pick and choose what you read. Just know that the chapters are written in a way that each builds upon the last one. So if something seems confusing, just skip back a chapter or two and you’ll be fine.

That said: Follow your excitement!

ComedyMindset is also intended as a reference book you can circle back to time and time again. A book that stays bookmarked and whenever you are stuck or feel uninspired you can go to the part of the writing process you are right now and hopefully it will provide you with an answer to your query.

But now onwards my friend. Comedy waits for no one.