There’s nothing like a sharp-tongued, quick-witted character to mild up a scene—particularly when the stakes are excessive or the tone is darkish. From sarcastic sidekicks to roguish heroes, witty characters typically steal the present. However when the humor feels compelled or out of character, it will probably suck the life proper out of a narrative. So why does some wit dazzle whereas different makes an attempt fall painfully flat?

In the previous few years, there have been a rash of flicks (principally summer time blockbusters) that strive actually onerous to reside as much as the witty legacies of movies comparable to Indiana Jones and the unique Star Wars, solely to fall sadly quick.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Again (1980), twentieth Century Fox.

Why is that this?

Typically, it isn’t the jokes which can be in charge. Phrases which may have been hilarious popping out of the mouth of Han Solo fall flat on their faces popping out of the mouths of different characters.

So what’s the distinction?

In a nutshell: character.

The key to pulling off a witty character is placing the emphasis not on the wit itself, however on the character.

As we’re planning or writing our tales, it’s straightforward to say, “You already know, it will be enjoyable to have a witty character. A wisecracking hero or a bumbling sidekick.” So we stick ‘em in. However our fast drawback with this resolution is that we could also be attempting to pressure the humor, as a substitute of permitting it to emerge organically from the character.

Humor grows all of the extra humorous in context. And when that context is a totally developed persona, the humor is then in a position to supply not only a greater snort, however a deeper understanding of each the character and the plot.

In case your characters are nothing greater than good mouths, readers will immediately understand they’re cardboard cutouts, caught in to garner a fast snort. Some readers will forgive you for this, significantly in case you do certainly occur to have the ability to write hilarious dialogue. However others might resent it as a gimmick and go searching for one thing that manages to mix each leisure and depth.

If you craft characters who’re totally realized—whose humor springs from their worldviews, flaws, and relationships—that’s when the wit lands with authenticity and impression. Humor can turn out to be greater than a joke; it may be an perception. So subsequent time you write a quick one-liner, ask your self: is it one thing this character would say, or one thing you would like somebody would say? As a substitute of simply sticking witty phrases in characters’ mouths, create full personalities from whom the wit can circulate realistically, organically, and engagingly

For extra on writing genuine humor, see these posts:

Wordplayers, inform me your opinions! What’s your greatest recommendation for writing witty characters? Who’s a favourite instance of 1 accomplished proper in fiction? Inform me within the feedback!