Just chiming in to say it's a MUST to bring/buy a book to a David Sederis show/appearance. He writes personalized messages or drawings for every person! And it's fun to stand in line and listen to the conversations he has with attendees.
Yes! I've heard he writes different ones for everyone, which is amazing. I still remember the nice conversation I had with him too. I need to get to another one of his appearances again.
This is so helpful. As a physician who tends to write about more serious topics, I am trying to incorporate some elements of humor here and there in my writing to make my essays lighter.
I agree with your point about funny essays not being packed with jokes. I tend to think of them as clever and usually 1-2 jokes that solidly land. David Sedaris obviously does that very well.
Glad to hear it was helpful and I think it's true about jokes being spread out and that's a good point about some being more clever in spots rather than packed with laugh out loud jokes.
Love the insights on making sure there’s a takeaway to an essay and not having to go overboard on the humor. I think those are two things I’ve been somewhat conscious of but haven’t fully leaned into yet in my writing. I just finished up reading Cazzie David’s book of essays and these two lessons could feature prominently there as well.
Thanks, Julie! I (Kristine) also was inspired in the same way (read Me Talk Pretty One Day and thought, "I want to do this too! I love your newsletter and especially happy to have some more places to pitch xo
I loved your Salon piece, Julie! How have I never read it before? My first job after graduating with a degree in English was in a call center too! Definitely feels like a rite of passage : )
Thank you! Oh, that is so funny! Definitely a rite of passage. It's funny because when that Salon piece came out I did not love the headline they put on it but now I'm like, eh, seems fine.
Just chiming in to say it's a MUST to bring/buy a book to a David Sederis show/appearance. He writes personalized messages or drawings for every person! And it's fun to stand in line and listen to the conversations he has with attendees.
Yes! I've heard he writes different ones for everyone, which is amazing. I still remember the nice conversation I had with him too. I need to get to another one of his appearances again.
This is so helpful. As a physician who tends to write about more serious topics, I am trying to incorporate some elements of humor here and there in my writing to make my essays lighter.
I agree with your point about funny essays not being packed with jokes. I tend to think of them as clever and usually 1-2 jokes that solidly land. David Sedaris obviously does that very well.
Glad to hear it was helpful and I think it's true about jokes being spread out and that's a good point about some being more clever in spots rather than packed with laugh out loud jokes.
Love the insights on making sure there’s a takeaway to an essay and not having to go overboard on the humor. I think those are two things I’ve been somewhat conscious of but haven’t fully leaned into yet in my writing. I just finished up reading Cazzie David’s book of essays and these two lessons could feature prominently there as well.
Thanks, Julie! I (Kristine) also was inspired in the same way (read Me Talk Pretty One Day and thought, "I want to do this too! I love your newsletter and especially happy to have some more places to pitch xo
Thank you! I love that we have similar origin stories.
I loved your Salon piece, Julie! How have I never read it before? My first job after graduating with a degree in English was in a call center too! Definitely feels like a rite of passage : )
Thank you! Oh, that is so funny! Definitely a rite of passage. It's funny because when that Salon piece came out I did not love the headline they put on it but now I'm like, eh, seems fine.
This is a great post, helpful and informative, thank you.
Glad to hear that -- thank you!
I for sure have many embarrassing moments that I want to write about, lol! Just subscribed and looking forward to reading through your past posts
Ha, perfect! And thanks for subscribing.
Glad to hear that! I don’t know that collection. I will have to check it out.