Two-Fifty Tuesday: Remember Fun?

The Joy in Writing

I have homework for you. 

Go to YouTube or, if you’re old like me, unearth an old DVD of your favourite TV show or movie and search out the clips with the bloopers. 

Funny, right? There’s a reason they’re often called “gag reels”.

You know the clips I love best? When one actor—especially during a serious scene—starts laughing and can’t stop, which sets off the other actors and then when everyone tries to get back in character, someone won’t be able to keep a straight face. 

The laughter is contagious, right? I dare you to keep from laughing yourself. 

These moments are curated, absolutely. We don’t see the behind-the-scenes of frustration or anger or boredom or angst. But the lesson from these bloopers, for us, as writers, is still valuable. 

Writing is hard. And there are moments of frustration and anger and boredom and angst. But we often forget there are also moments of fun. 

Remember when something just clicked in your scene? Remember when you wrote the wickedest, coolest, funniest line for your character? Remember when your closest family member read the funniest part of your book and burst out laughing where they were supposed to? 

Writing ain’t all sunshine and roses. 

But writing can include sunshine and roses. 

So in the bright light of day, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Then laugh uncontrollably.