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

by John Vorhaus (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
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Frequently Bought Together

The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even If You're Not + The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide + The New Comedy Writing Step by Step
Price For All Three: $32.04

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About the Author
Vorhaus

Product Details

  • Paperback: 191 pages
  • Publisher: Silman-James Press; 1st edition (July 1994)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1879505215
  • ISBN-13: 978-1879505216
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #9 in  Books > Reference > Words & Language > Semantics
    #28 in  Books > Entertainment > Humor > Parodies
    #92 in  Books > Entertainment > Movies

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Look Inside This Book
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

40 Reviews
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 (28)
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 (7)
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 (1)
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 (1)
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 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (40 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
78 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful - and ENJOYABLE - book of fiction writing advice, June 14, 2000
By TAMI Cowden (Henderson, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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!

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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars (Unimaginative title here), July 7, 2000
By "michael@trickboy.com" (By the left big puddle) - See all my reviews
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?
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Simple, short, and useful, March 19, 2000
"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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Buy "The Comedy Bible" Instead
An okay book (I guess) for aspiring sit
com writers and that's about it. The
Comedy Bible covers a lot more ground
(genres, etc) with many more useful tech-... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ronald F. Cooney

5.0 out of 5 stars Comic Toolbox? These pretzels are makign me thirsty!
An excellent read, er um exercise, um toolbox, yeah that's it, toolbox. I've written for a few comedians and never had access to this information. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Kirk M. Ludi

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny or Not, Here You Come
Petruchio and his favorite shrew, Kate. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Harry and Sally. Ross and Rachel. Carrie and Mr. Big. What do these iconic romantic couples have in common? Read more
Published 10 months ago by Belle Scarlett, romance author

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost Creepy
I have been doing some of my own writing but I've never read a book about organizing jokes, or ever cared about those books. Read more
Published 10 months ago by The Atomic Punk

3.0 out of 5 stars Great observations; lifeless humour
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. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jonny Mod

5.0 out of 5 stars Best comedy writing book I've read.
I am a pro comedian and I am about halfway through the book and I am finding it very useful in developing new material. You won't be disapointed with this one.
Published 15 months ago by Marc J. Rubben

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for plotting
The title doesn't really explain what this is. I was expecting more tools and methods for stand-up comedy. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sonia R. Reid

1.0 out of 5 stars I want my money back!
Practically worthless. Boring. The old 1 in 20 ideas you brainstorm is worth using trick, is the only worthwhile thing you learn. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Whamo

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on writing to date
I have read probably 40 books on writing, structure, characterization, etc and this book is one of the best. Why? Read more
Published 18 months ago by Alison Livingston

4.0 out of 5 stars Applying fundamental storytelling principles to comedy
I recommend this book to anyone interested in humorous writing. If nothing else it will reaffirm that good storytelling is the meat of any genre, while punchlines are only spice... Read more
Published 18 months ago by R. J. Satori

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