Writing is all about solving problems. The bigger the problem the better the writing if you solve it.
That came out bigger than I expected! 
A single 'Eureka' moment? Page 3
Not related, but any excuse to post this:
Makes me chuckle every time.
(courtesy of the ArmyofDave blog)
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 30 2009, 1:49 AM BSTThis possibly sounds stupid, but sometimes it's best to worry about the humour after you've achieved a first draft which is structurally sound.
Naturally, try to get good lines flowing from your characters whilst writing the first draft, but more importantly get their tone of voice right and establish what each scene is actually about - i.e. what is its function in the overall plot?
I think people often get fixated on getting each scene as funny as possible before moving onto writing the next, which can lead to depressingly slow progress. A lot of the laughs will come from meticulously re-drafting a script anyway, so why cause yourself worry by expecting to nail the scene first time around?
Totally agree.
All my 'Eureka' moments have come when struggling with structural elements of the story. Finding that one pivotal plot points that lets the story move believably from one place to the next. And often, the longer it takes you to crack it the more satisfying it is as a bit of storytelling.
Too easy and it can come out as a bit trite.
The jokes should be the fun bit.
Thank you for all your replies to this thread, they have been very interesting, but to clarify my question, I really wanted to know about your long-term progress as writers, rather than how it works in a particular piece of work. I was hoping people might say something like 'taking up (or stopping) meditation/drinking/wife-beating helped enormously.'
My Eureka moment occurred when I stopped bothering to reply to ambiguous questions in the 'Writers Discussion' section of the BCG. 
Getting an agent.
Sort of makes it real.
Quote: Lazzard @ September 30 2009, 12:51 PM BSTGetting an agent.
Sort of makes it real.
It's when you have the confidence to fire your agent that counts!
Just remembered - I kind of had a eureka moment last year. I'd been to the BBC Comedy Presents thing in Manchester and spent the evening talking to comedians, producers, BBC execs and all that shit. Very pissed, happy, and thoroughly comedied-up, I staggered back to the hotel and flopped into bed, full of inspiration for the future.
Then about an hour later I had a dream about the funniest comedy in the world, ever. It just popped into my head, a fully-formed idea with dialogue and everything. It was bloody hilarious too and I actually woke up laughing. Of course I had to get this thing down paper in case I forgot it, so I frantically scrambled about the room, drunkenly knocking stuff over, looking for a scrap of paper to write on.
The next morning I awoke with a pounding head, and found my amazing idea in the bathroom stuck to the mirror with a bit of soap. I'd written it on toilet paper. It said,
"Talking monkey sitcom! Brilliant!"
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2009, 1:27 PM BST"Talking monkey sitcom! Brilliant!"
When's it on?
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2009, 1:27 PM BST"Talking monkey sitcom! Brilliant!"
I hope you've cleared this with Leevil's people?
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2009, 1:27 PM BST"Talking monkey sitcom! Brilliant!"
Monkey Tennis . . ?
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2009, 1:27 PM BST"Talking monkey sitcom! Brilliant!"
Was it One Free Hand? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANs3ifTmNQY
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ September 30 2009, 1:50 PM BSTWas it One Free Hand? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANs3ifTmNQY
Good God. No, no, no that's all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Armstrong & Bain write Ventrilo-com? Saints preserve us.
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2009, 1:59 PM BSTGood God. No, no, no that's all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Armstrong & Bain write Ventrilo-com? Saints preserve us.
I quite liked some of it... 
Their 'Ladies and Gentleman' pilot for Comedy Showcase 2007 wasn't up to much, to be honest.