Thanks, Julie! How do you decide whether to put a joke in parenthesis or not? (By the second option, I mean just continuing the text and including the joke without parenthesis.)
In some cases, I try it both ways and see what looks better/seems to work better.
I think if it's also a different voice or tone that you are inserting into something, it can work better in parentheses. So if you think of the main text as having one more straightforward voice and then the parentheses being you or your character's inner thoughts, then the parentheses can work to be the internal monologue of sorts. I feel like I see this sometimes in satire pieces where the main form is more formal, like terms of conditions or rules-type pieces.
The reason the parenthetical works is that it's the only punctuation that simulates a second voice. The main clause is the official statement; the parenthetical is the same person telling you the truth out of the side of their mouth. The "(technically)" / "(comfortably)" example is the purest version — the parentheses are doing the thing a comic does when they undercut their own setup. Bonus mechanical note: the parenthetical has to land on the punchword, same as any other joke. "(where dreams are made)" works because "made" is last. "(where dreams are made at a Best Western)" would die.
Thanks for this easy fix, Julie! I have a great sense of humor, but really struggle to write with humor. I look forward to giving this a try❣️ (Spent way too much time trying to figure out how to do it in this response, so after 10 minutes of staring at the screen, I finally just had to end it.)
Julie, I’m flattered to be included—thank you. But more than that, I’m always impressed with your humor chops. I was thinking today about how difficult our field can be in regards to appealing to everyone. And it can’t be done. Easier to say than accept. But I think your encyclopedic comedy knowledge can only help. I was reading a Lockhorns paperback from over forty years ago and than wondering why some of my humor is missing the mark. You siting contemporary books all across the board was a great parting tip. Thanks.
Thank you for the kind words, Bob. I think it is tricky to figure out especially with so many different humor styles. I also had to stop myself from going down the rabbit hole to find even more varied examples :)
I agree! I've been playing around with adding them in different spots for some micro pieces/jokes too, and I think it is interesting to see how it changes the tone of things (and add voice).
Thanks, Julie! How do you decide whether to put a joke in parenthesis or not? (By the second option, I mean just continuing the text and including the joke without parenthesis.)
In some cases, I try it both ways and see what looks better/seems to work better.
I think if it's also a different voice or tone that you are inserting into something, it can work better in parentheses. So if you think of the main text as having one more straightforward voice and then the parentheses being you or your character's inner thoughts, then the parentheses can work to be the internal monologue of sorts. I feel like I see this sometimes in satire pieces where the main form is more formal, like terms of conditions or rules-type pieces.
Thank you! That makes sense!
The reason the parenthetical works is that it's the only punctuation that simulates a second voice. The main clause is the official statement; the parenthetical is the same person telling you the truth out of the side of their mouth. The "(technically)" / "(comfortably)" example is the purest version — the parentheses are doing the thing a comic does when they undercut their own setup. Bonus mechanical note: the parenthetical has to land on the punchword, same as any other joke. "(where dreams are made)" works because "made" is last. "(where dreams are made at a Best Western)" would die.
I used to put jokes in parenthesis but then I stopped (everyone knew when I used parenthesis I was trying to make them laugh).
One of the potential pitfalls!
Brilliant. I love me some parenthetical snark. Definitely part of my written author voice, too. 😁
It can definitely be fun!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks for this easy fix, Julie! I have a great sense of humor, but really struggle to write with humor. I look forward to giving this a try❣️ (Spent way too much time trying to figure out how to do it in this response, so after 10 minutes of staring at the screen, I finally just had to end it.)
Hope it’s fun to play around with and I like the parentheses you ended up with here :)
Love this, Julie!
Thanks, Mary!
Julie, I’m flattered to be included—thank you. But more than that, I’m always impressed with your humor chops. I was thinking today about how difficult our field can be in regards to appealing to everyone. And it can’t be done. Easier to say than accept. But I think your encyclopedic comedy knowledge can only help. I was reading a Lockhorns paperback from over forty years ago and than wondering why some of my humor is missing the mark. You siting contemporary books all across the board was a great parting tip. Thanks.
Thank you for the kind words, Bob. I think it is tricky to figure out especially with so many different humor styles. I also had to stop myself from going down the rabbit hole to find even more varied examples :)
Thank you for the reminder! For some reason, I use them a lot in my Substack posts, but not as much in my other humor writing. I have to branch out!
Yes, good to try out in other places too!
What a great little nugget! I’m editing my (hopefully funny) novel and this is a good
reminder!
Oh good! I feel like I sometimes find them easier to insert at the editing stage.
Love it! This is such a helpful writing tip. I sometimes enjoy putting an exclamation mark in there (!), too.
yes, I love a good exclamation point parentheses too!
Yes!
❤️
This is such a useful technique - and one that feels very natural when reading but is actually quite deliberate when writing.
I’ve noticed how a well-placed parenthetical can completely change the tone of a sentence (often making it feel more conversational and self-aware).
I’ve found myself using this more in my own writing as well, it really does change how a piece feels.
I agree! I've been playing around with adding them in different spots for some micro pieces/jokes too, and I think it is interesting to see how it changes the tone of things (and add voice).
I am obsessed with parentheticals (in a healthy way). This post is great!!
Thank you and same! One of the more healthy obsessions we can have (I think?)
Love this one! I overuse it because I love it so much! :D
But is there such a thing as using it too much? (No.)
(I knew it!)
Thank you for the insight, really helpful for a new writer!
Happy to hear that!