A lot of times when I meet someone new and they ask what I do, and I say 'looking to write comedy' it's either 'tell me a joke then', or they just turn off immediately. Anyone else get that and if so I need a comeback.
This happen to anyone else?
I don't tell anyone I do this as a hobby. None of real world chums know, that's why I have separate Facebooks etc.
Ditto. Well they know I write but they don't all know how geeky I really am so I keep my "net" friends seperate. 
Quote: Balf @ March 16 2009, 11:02 PM GMTA lot of times when I meet someone new and they ask what I do, and I say 'looking to write comedy' it's either 'tell me a joke then', or they just turn off immediately. Anyone else get that and if so I need a comeback.
Bye.
It's not really that surprising people turn off if you say you're looking to write comedy. Where does the conversation go from there?
I hate it when people ask me what I do because it's SUCH a conversation-killer. People have no point of reference talking to a guy that writes gags for greeting cards for a living. The standard response is "Oh reeeeally? Wow, that's so interesting..." and there the conversation usually stops, unless you're talking to another writer who basically just wants to know how much you earn.
I just usually say I'm in publishing now. It saves a lot of embarrassing silences.
I get the other extreme when I tell people about the stuff I do and to be honest, after a long hard day, I really don't actually want to talk about work. 
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ March 17 2009, 1:28 AM GMTI get the other extreme when I tell people about the stuff I do and to be honest, after a long hard day, I really don't actually want to talk about work.
What do you do Ruby?
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ March 16 2009, 11:25 PM GMTso I keep my "net" friends separate.
But I'm special riiight?! 
Quote: Leevil @ March 17 2009, 1:44 AM GMTBut I'm special riiight?!
That's why you are on the special list..... 
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 17 2009, 1:37 AM GMTWhat do you do Ruby?
Quote: Balf @ March 16 2009, 11:02 PM GMTA lot of times when I meet someone new and they ask what I do, and I say 'looking to write comedy' it's either 'tell me a joke then', or they just turn off immediately. Anyone else get that and if so I need a comeback.
If you're 'looking to write comedy' and you can't think of a suitable comeback yourself - then stop 'looking to write comedy'. 
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ March 17 2009, 1:45 AM GMTThat's why you are on the special list.....
Not the naughty list? 
I normally disguise my comedy aspirations by using the term "creative writing".
Let's face it, you ask someone what their job is as small talk. You're probably not that interested in what they do unless you think you can get something cheap or free from them, e.g. a gag from a comedy writer.
Quote: Morrace @ March 17 2009, 1:57 AM GMTIf you're 'looking to write comedy' and you can't think of a suitable comeback yourself - then stop 'looking to write comedy'.
Guess I'm just not a snappy kind of guy.
Quote: Balf @ March 16 2009, 11:02 PM GMTA lot of times when I meet someone new and they ask what I do, and I say 'looking to write comedy' it's either 'tell me a joke then', or they just turn off immediately. Anyone else get that and if so I need a comeback.
For the greatest comeback, you must watch the 1970 Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn movie There's A Girl In My Soup. In the opening scene at a wedding reception, Sellers (who plays the role of a debonair TV cooking show host) is asked by a pompous dignified man (accompanied by his prim wife): "Tell me, do you have a proper job? I mean when you're not doing this television stuff." Sellers, looking bored, replies: "I perform abortions," and walks away. Top stuff!