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Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks)
 
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Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)

by John Byrne (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: A & C Black Publishers Ltd; 2Rev Ed edition (30 Sep 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0713663790
  • ISBN-13: 978-0713663792
  • Product Dimensions: 22 x 13.7 x 1.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 696,096 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #77 in  Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Communication Studies > Semiology

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Product Description

Product Description
This work breaks down the basics of writing comedy into simple steps and shows how to make the most of your individual comedy writing abilities. It starts with the basics - writing jokes and short pieces - and then develops into writing sitcoms and full length routines. There are ideas on how to tailor material for radio, TV and print. It also discusses the practical aspects of turning comedy writing into a career, and offers suggestions on how to make contacts within the business, follow up leads and market your material effectively. This updated edition looks at the latest developments and markets for comedy from the Internet to broadband and interactive TV.

About the Author
John Byrne is an author, cartoonist and stand up comedian with wide ranging experience in both performance and teaching of creative skills. His cartoons regularly appear in a wide range of publications including Media Week, The Stage and The Bookseller and he has also published over thirty books for children and adults. He lives in London.

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
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 (3)
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Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and inspirational., 12 Sep 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)
John byrne is an experienced comedy writer, and we can draw from this. But don't expect this book to make you into Woody Allen overnight. It covers the nuts and bolts of comedy writing, from simple gags to full blown sitcoms - a must for the novice.

Although it is informative, you should treat it as inspirational - keep dipping into it when the muse doesn't strike. Read and re-read it. You won't be disappointed.

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13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for the would be writer of all comedy, 21 April 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)
I, as a fledgling comedy writer found the book a great source of both instruction and encouragement. John Byrne is full of ideas for getting what is usually a number of unrelated and funny items which circulate around your head, usually on the bus or looking out of the window, into coherent and funny lines. He details how to have the courage to begin, setting out your ideas in a workable format and then put them together in a string of humourous writings. He achieves this at a level which all readers can relate to and yet has bags of encouragement. Especially invaluable for the writer looking to be heard on the great british medium of radio was the section dealing with writing sketches and quickies. John shows you how to produce professional looking work that should, if of course they are funny,impress producers and editors alike and may even be broadcast! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all writers of that lonely art of comedy writing. I have certainly learnt a lot, in fact I couldn`t put it down, I think it was something to do with the superglue I managed to smear on the cover!
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely brilliant!, 23 Feb 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)
At last a book which gives the new writer a sound basis for understanding the medium and how to turn ideas into laughter upon the page.
Mr Byrne lead the reader through a series useful hints and tips based on his own career and knowledge of the business.
He is never condescending and you get the impression he has spent a great deal of time in writing the book and not just thrown something together for the dosh!
Above all else, Mr Byrne gives great encouragement and instills self-belief into the prospective writer, after all we are an insecure bunch.
I urge you to buy this book if you think you have talent and are funny..
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, but by no means comprehensive
I let my heart rule my head. So many earlier reviews gave the impression that this book was the ultimate manual for comedy writers, that I thought I must have it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Big Bry

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore the last review - they don't know what they are talking about
I have known of John Byrne as an artist and comedian for years. His approach to writing comedy isn't unique but it is very clear, and it is very real. Read more
Published on 11 Jul 2007 by Mr. Andrew Gray

1.0 out of 5 stars Who IS John Byrne anyway???
Ignore the phoney sycophantic review above - you can't expect an amateur cartoonist to be an expert about what makes a good book on teaching comedy. Read more
Published on 15 May 2007 by R. Lewis

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and inspirational.
Although I've been a freelance comedy writer for quite a few years,and have sold material to various markets,a constant stream of rejection slips has almost forced me to give up... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple,No nonsense and it works
I found this a very useful book. It is simple and no nonsense and doesn't pretend comedy writing is anything more then a combination of your own creative abilitie s and a lot of... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2000

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money
The author does not tell you anything you would not know yourself. A few one line gags is not worth ten pounds. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2000

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