Humor Writers I’ve Enjoyed Reading this Year
By: Kyrie Gray
Tags: Humor, Comedy, Satire, Humor Writing, Writing

It is the season for giving, which is why I’m giving you (another) list of 10 funny writers you should read if you want to laugh or learn to write better humor. So in no particular order here it goes.

Gracie Beaver-Kairis creates this bit of satire using very specific knowledge about a genre. Anyone who’s watched any (seriously, any) Hallmark movie will recognize at least one of these tropes. Pointing out specific things others might be thinking in the back of their head is a surefire way to get a laugh, when done right.

David B. Clear comics are proof that something doesn’t need to complicated to get giggles. He knows when and how to show/tell through pictures vs. words. If you are considering creating comics and worry that you lack illustration skills, check out this guy. More importantly, go through his archive and see how daily practice improved his technique, allowing him to deliver more laughs though different artistic means. I mean look at those cute moving arms!

Bebe Nicholson is a long-time writer who graces whatever topic she darn-well feels like. And we are the luckier for it. Her piece below is a good one to read if you want to get an idea of how to use a well-known story and create original humor around it. She chooses to do the troll’s POV with hilarious results.

Earlier I talked about how simple illustrations work well, but I am also in awe of those who have technical skills both in art and humor. Cassie Soliday is one of those people. Her comics are short and sweet and always worth the read.

If you’ve been on this platform then Ryan Fan is a name you’ve seen over and over again in the trending area. He’s a beast when it comes to putting out new content and letting his imagination run wild, no matter how bizarre the idea. Below is a perfect example. He uses the absurdity of how most anime heroes are still in school and takes it from there. When you write humor, don’t be afaid to ask, “What if?” Ryan’s shown us all that such bravery gets results.

irene tassy took the popular topic that springs up every year and gave it a whole new spin. I’ve seen several “tell-alls” by elves, but Irene went a completely different direction and did what every parent wants to do. Scare the living tar out of kids so they behave. Since the elves are kind of terrifying anyway, she pushed the premise farther by seeing what would happen if a truly terrifying doll was in the house.

JL Matthews is another prolific writer whose stuff can be found in nearly every humor publication on this platform. Below he’s written a form I enjoy, but do not write well: dialogue humor. This is an insane piece that made me laugh out loud because he catches the personalities so carefully which (I think) is why I like this piece whereas I find this style so hard to enjoy otherwise.

Catherine Weingarten did what you should be doing if you want to write humor that hits hard. Take that thing/person/trend you dislike and satirize the shit out of them. Obviously you can tell by the title why this story was so popular. Because haven’t we all just wanted to block that person who will not be quiet about their big day long after it’s over?

Susan Sassi writes good stuff all around, yet this one taking the form of a quiz is one of her newest stories and a good example of how to write humorous quizzes if that’s something that interests you.

The story below by Julia Wolov has the list format down, including how to build upwards through the piece so it’s not “just” a list. Also, I mean, that title. Perfection.