Customer Reviews

The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even If You're Not

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

No other book on writing I've read - and I've read a lot! - kept me chuckling throughout. I'd recommend this book for the laughs alone, but I can also recommend it as the fount of writing wisdom it entails.

Vorhaus not only explains the basic types of humor and the elements of a comic plot, but also lays out an excellent plotting structure useful for any type of fiction writing. Whether you merely want to add a few touches of humor to an angsty story, or you want to write the next comic blockbuster, this book will help you on your way.

P.S. Chapter 9 alone is worth the price of the book!

"The Comic Toolbox" is very to the point as to what comedy is, and how it is created. It outlines a basic structure so easy to use that anyone with a decent grasp of the english language can write a humorous skit or scene. Though, for my money, I would also get "Comedy writing step by step." It grasps far deeper than Vourhous's basic outline, and is very comprehensive. Use "Comic Toolbox" as a quick reference, but use "Step by Step" as a guide.

This book will teach you step by step how to construct comedy- whether that be a joke, a sketch, or a gag. This book will get you there. Oh it is work... make no mistake, but you WILL be funny. How many books do you own that you can say that about?

If you ever thought being funny couldn't be learned then you would have to swallow your pride and change your mind after reading this book. Its full of hands on exercises to get your creativity juices going.

I have recommended this book and so have the WGA mentors so what other approval do you need!

Some people's books are sermonize without being convincing. Vorhaus does not take this path but his words are thought provoking and informative, as well as some of his natural wit chucked in as well for good measure (his chapter on practical jokes is evidence of that).

It's a journey through comedy starting from its essential nature to comic characters (writers ignore this chapter at their peril!!!!) to film scripts and more little words of advice to make you the next James L. Brooks.

And its not just about being funny but structure (yes that dreaded word again) his feature film paradigm is helpful and is just as good as buying books by Syd Field. Also a section on Sitcoms which just as good. It even has profound thoughts on creativity, which he has added to and exported in another of his books.

This book is so good it's worth 3 times its asking price. John Vorhaus is funny and full of warmth. You can do much worse but I doubt you can do much better (if you can get in contact with me immediately!!!)

I love The Comic Toolbox and would recommend it to anyone interested in writing good fiction, whether it be comic or otherwise. If you are trying to write a stand up act, however, you'll probably do better with Judy Carter's books, The Comedy Bible and Stand Up Comedy: The Book.

Vorhaus has a very simple and useful method for creating satisfying plots and characters readers will love. Everything Tami D. Cowden said in her review is true:

"No other book on writing I've read - and I've read a lot! - kept me chuckling throughout. I'd recommend this book for the laughs alone, but I can also recommend it as the fount of writing wisdom it entails.

Vorhaus not only explains the basic types of humor and the elements of a comic plot, but also lays out an excellent plotting structure useful for any type of fiction writing. Whether you merely want to add a few touches of humor to an angsty story, or you want to write the next comic blockbuster, this book will help you on your way."

Although Tami D recommends chapter 9 (this entire chapter consists of the one line "Of course, no book on comedy would be complete without a comprehensive discussion on practical jokes"), I would recommend skimming chapter one. It includes Vorhaus's basic formula of comedy, truth+pain=comedy, which I don't agree with. A terrorist attack is truth+pain but tragic and not comic, while "what did the mayonnaise say to the refrigerator?" is comic without being true or painful. So don't take the first chapter too seriously, and know the good stuff is just around the page.

This book could help simplify writing a good story for a lot of writers. I hope it does.

I've bought & read a lot of the comedy writing books out there. And I'm always wondering...If they really understand how to write comedy, then why aren't their books funny? I only trust people who are capable of practicing what they preach. VORHAUS PRACTICES WHAT HE PREACHES!!! ... This book IS funny, and he can articulate why. Not just for stand-up, but for any type of comic writing. If you only buy one comedy writing book, this is the one I'd recommend....especially at this price!

Don't believe any review under 5 stars...this is THE book you need. I've been on a quest since I was a teenager to find a good comedy writing book. I've read them all and they've all been lacking...lacking in real help, lacking in humor, and lacking in inspiration. Until "The Comic Toolbox". The author lays out in perfect detail how to create comedy. In addition, he's very inspirational and very funny. There's only one source better than "The Comic Toolbox" and that's the author's in-person seminar. I just attended one and it blew me away.

Simply put, the book is filled with excellent methods for creating comedy. If you do not have strong comedic instinct, your results will be formulaic. The author comes from a background of cheap laughs and sitcoms like Married With Children. The jokes inside are corny at best. While Vorhaus isn't particularly funny himself, he does have a good eye for what makes a joke funny. If you have a facility towards joke writing, this book will help you perfect your art; but don't look for laughs inside the book because they just aren't there.

I'll give this one five stars. I started to give it four because half of it is about writting sitcom comedy, which doesn't interest me, but judging by what it does have that interests me, I'd say those parts would be helpful for anyone interested in that. This book explains simply what makes something funny, without complicating things.
Good book!!!

Although it focuses on writing comedy, "The Comic Toolbox" offers a lot of good advice that applies to screenwriting in general. It's written in a breezy, humorous way that makes it a particularly good read. Of the many books on screenwriting out there, this is one of the best.