Want to have a go at stand-up

Hey guys, hope u all are well. The reason im here is I have always enjoyed standup comedy ( well all comedy to be honest) I thought about writing some stuff a few years ago but never ever did. However now I feel like I would like to give it a shot and see how things work out!! I just need some advice please, theres not much info on the search engines and to be honest u never know how reliable they are anyway!!

What id like to know is...

How do you start writing standup?
Do you writing jokes?
Do u write about everyday things?
Do u always have a notebook on you?
How do u find ur Style?

Etc etc etc

Any info would be super

thanks guys

There are plenty of threads that cover this already - just type 'stand up' into the search function. Here's one for instance...

https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/22297/

Thanks man...ive checked that out but from what I see most seem to be about the routine. I understand all that its more the writing part im looking tips on? Thanks

Have moved this thread to Writer's Discussion for you.

For any type of writing, you just have to sit down and write! And that'll be how you find your style. What experiences/points of view/anecdotes/jokes have made you think you want to do stand-up? Write these down and then look back on the advice in the threads about how to compose a routine- although there isn't a standard device because only you can work out what you feel comfortable with and how you want to present yourself and your material. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice guys, anymore advice would be great!

Quote: jimseyboi @ October 4 2011, 4:48 PM BST

What id like to know is...

How do you start writing standup?
Do you writing jokes?
Do u write about everyday things?
Do u always have a notebook on you?
How do u find ur Style?

View original

My own personal answers to these questions;

When I have an idea for a joke or a routine I note it down somewhere, then when I want to do some writing I look at all these ideas (which may be random thoughts or phrases I've heard, a good comedian/comedy writer is a language magpie) and try to flesh them out into gags.

Yes, I write jokes, mostly one-liners along the lines of Tim Vine, Milton Jones or Stephen Wright (to pick 3 notable practioners of the artform).

Yes, everyday things, extrodinary things, anything and everything really, inspiration can strike from anywhere. When you are a comedian you see everything slightly differently to regular Joes (and Joannes), you start to see the humour in everything which is great for stand up but not so good for family funerals.

Yes, or at least my phone so that I can note down ideas, if you don't do it there and then the thoughts will potentially be lost forever.

For me, finding my style was about 6 years of writing and gigging before it started to fall into place. Don't worry about adopting a "style" to begin with just try to write what you find funny and learn to communicate it to audiences, the rest will come with time.

Lastly, writing and performing is like anything else, the more you do it the better you become, try to write everyday, even if it's not jokes but a journal, a blog or whatever, good luck.