British Comedy Guide

Style and Tone

Is it possible to learn to change how you write, I am always disappointed when I write as it always mainfests into crude jokes I would much rather write intelligently but probably lack the intelligence, can you change or are we stuck with what we fundamentally are, in my case crude.

Perhaps change the types of character you're writing? If your characters are pre-disposed toward crudity then they're not going to change much, I guess.

Thanks John I noticed your profile suggests your very lazy so for you to muster the energy and push the keys on your keyboard im honoured but I suspect your strapped into a Stephen Hawking mobility chair making words by blowing through a tube with spittle not because there's anything wrong with you.

Well, it's good to have a hobby.

If you want to change how you right, change what you read.
That's about it really.

Quote: Lazzard @ March 15 2011, 2:24 PM GMT

If you want to change how you right, change what you read.
That's about it really.

Any suggestions?

Quote: Dicksplash @ March 15 2011, 2:33 PM GMT

Any suggestions?

Read stuff you wish you'd written.
Then try to work out why you're not.
(That is shocking english, but I think you get my drift)

Quote: Lazzard @ March 15 2011, 2:24 PM GMT

If you want to change how you right.

Actually this is shocking English! :D

I don't have an answer to your question but if you ever want to collaborate as rappers I'll gladly be Style to your Tone.

Quote: David Bussell @ March 15 2011, 4:05 PM GMT

I don't have an answer to your question but if you ever want to collaborate as rappers I'll gladly be Style to your Tone.

Sounds good it wasn't working out with Deaf.

Quote: Marc P @ March 15 2011, 3:07 PM GMT

Actually this is shocking English! :D

What is more shocking is that only you spotted it. :O

I did too but didn't want to be pedantic, but now since it's been pointed out I'll steam in - hiding behind Marc as I do ;)

Fair play though for not going back to change it.

Sometimes when I write something in a hurry I'm appalled by some of the howlers (different words sounding identical) that get past me. Even worse if it slips by into an important email or letter. I always want to send a backup explaining that I know what it should have been and then agonise over my mistake for ages.

My own worst offence is sending an email where I've meant to write you're but I actually write your.

But we're all human and it's interesting how our brain sometimes plays these shitty little tricks on us.

Quote: Blenkinsop @ March 15 2011, 4:34 PM GMT

I always want to send a backup explaining that I know what it should have been and then agonise over my mistake for ages.

Ha, mustn't do that, you risk ending up in a Swingers style phone-message disaster.

Quote: Dicksplash @ March 15 2011, 11:13 AM GMT

Is it possible to learn to change how you write, I am always disappointed when I write as it always mainfests into crude jokes I would much rather write intelligently but probably lack the intelligence, can you change or are we stuck with what we fundamentally are, in my case crude.

Is it that you are young? I find that young 'ns like crude but as you age, your sense of humour changes. But if you think it's a problem that you're always being crude. then you've recognised what's 'wrong' and you're on your way to correcting it.
As one of the other posters said, write about characters that wouldn't be crude. :)

No im not young at 35, I will admit im not as educated as I would like to be which I think shows in how I write. When you look at the likes of the peep show writers they have graduated from university in creative writing, they are both educated and I expect naturally funny, I thought I was funny but beginning to realise funny isnt enough you have to be intelligent enough to put the bones of a script together, Ive learnt I just have banter and its mostly crude, I think I need to read more and try a course.

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