"there was a time in my life when I was known for being funny and that time is long gone." same same same. i am looking at it as an invitation to explore all the other parts of myself beyond the funny ones. sigh.
I identify with this SO much. I spent my twenties writing only comedy, mainly sketch comedy shows. When I decided to attempt a more literary style, I felt like I had come to a fork in the road and HAD TO CHOOSE ONE. Now, it's hard for me to flip back and forth and I wonder which road I should have stayed on.
I don't have a perfect solution as I am still figuring it out myself, but one thing that helps me a lot when I feel lost is to go back to my own older work and, as Megan Stielstra would say, look for the lightning bolt lines. It can feel validating to remember, hey once I could do this, so I can do it again.
What would we do without Megan Stielstra! That's really great advice. I spent most of my EIAY writing these intellectually-heavy humorous essays about Peru. I know I can combine the two! I just wish there were more outlets open to it. My Tin House instructor, Jaquira Díaz, also suggested looking at the career trajectory of authors that have a similar vibe. She recommended Gary Shteyngart specifically for the kind of writing I'm doing. Maybe 2025 is the year I go full Gary.
Hahahah fitting song! This also reminded me that I read at Pitchfork at the height of my Funny Period, which forever gives me permission to say, "I performed at Pitchfork". That was when I peaked lol
I did your class with Story Studio on Monday night. You were kind of funny during that. Don’t be hard on yourself.
However, a good segment for your blog would be “moments I wasn’t funny this week” or something like that. Self-deprecation is always good for a laugh or two.
I might see you at one of your writing-ins, after I’m done stalking your Substack posts. Gotta get my value out of this subscription!
Ok ew I hate that I’m saying this but “humor comes to you when you least expect it.” Remove the pressure to be funny and just write and eventually the humor will weave its way in. I know this because you are a naturally funny person, no pressure lol and also because I have had this crisis of identity several times.
Sometimes the jokes will be more obvious and other times more subtle, but I do think it’s a through-line in all that you do and that will never fully go away!
I do have to remind myself that I once read what I thought was a very literary and serious meditation on death at a live lit show and people laughed soooooooooooooooo
This is nice. I like to read ideas and thoughts of indomitable spirits. So many people here, on substack, use this media (no judgement) as an ersatz therapy journal. Tiring. Boring.
I've been searching the comments here for someone saying "but THIS was funny", and then I wonder if I missed something because no-one has said that (is the writing satire and I just can't see it and now I look like an idiot?! Is it not funny at all and I look like a dick?!). I also don't want to diminish your feelings of wanting to be (more) funny by saying "but you are!!" but if I was you, I know I'd appreciate someone saying "you might not be as funny as you once were, and I can imagine that hurts, but I'm guessing you had a long way to fall if this you not being funny".
Thank you for this honest share about identity. I look forward to reading how you find (more) humour in your life x
Thanks, Lucy! It's weird—after writing this, it's been easier to be funny again hahaha. Maybe I just needed to admit I was spiraling to stop feeling blocked
"there was a time in my life when I was known for being funny and that time is long gone." same same same. i am looking at it as an invitation to explore all the other parts of myself beyond the funny ones. sigh.
Eek, let me know how it goes! I also think it might be a sign to explore other ways of creativity but that terrifies me to no end.
follow your fear!!
I identify with this SO much. I spent my twenties writing only comedy, mainly sketch comedy shows. When I decided to attempt a more literary style, I felt like I had come to a fork in the road and HAD TO CHOOSE ONE. Now, it's hard for me to flip back and forth and I wonder which road I should have stayed on.
I don't have a perfect solution as I am still figuring it out myself, but one thing that helps me a lot when I feel lost is to go back to my own older work and, as Megan Stielstra would say, look for the lightning bolt lines. It can feel validating to remember, hey once I could do this, so I can do it again.
What would we do without Megan Stielstra! That's really great advice. I spent most of my EIAY writing these intellectually-heavy humorous essays about Peru. I know I can combine the two! I just wish there were more outlets open to it. My Tin House instructor, Jaquira Díaz, also suggested looking at the career trajectory of authors that have a similar vibe. She recommended Gary Shteyngart specifically for the kind of writing I'm doing. Maybe 2025 is the year I go full Gary.
The Year of Going Gary--I love it! And couldn't agree more re: the challenge of finding outlets open to a blend of heaviness and humor.
You're in good company.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88hQgxgqdo4
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Hahahah fitting song! This also reminded me that I read at Pitchfork at the height of my Funny Period, which forever gives me permission to say, "I performed at Pitchfork". That was when I peaked lol
Hi Ines,
I did your class with Story Studio on Monday night. You were kind of funny during that. Don’t be hard on yourself.
However, a good segment for your blog would be “moments I wasn’t funny this week” or something like that. Self-deprecation is always good for a laugh or two.
I might see you at one of your writing-ins, after I’m done stalking your Substack posts. Gotta get my value out of this subscription!
Happy writing!
Thanks, Michael! I hope to see you there. It's a small group but we get a lot out of those 30 minutes.
Ok ew I hate that I’m saying this but “humor comes to you when you least expect it.” Remove the pressure to be funny and just write and eventually the humor will weave its way in. I know this because you are a naturally funny person, no pressure lol and also because I have had this crisis of identity several times.
Sometimes the jokes will be more obvious and other times more subtle, but I do think it’s a through-line in all that you do and that will never fully go away!
I do have to remind myself that I once read what I thought was a very literary and serious meditation on death at a live lit show and people laughed soooooooooooooooo
This is nice. I like to read ideas and thoughts of indomitable spirits. So many people here, on substack, use this media (no judgement) as an ersatz therapy journal. Tiring. Boring.
I've been searching the comments here for someone saying "but THIS was funny", and then I wonder if I missed something because no-one has said that (is the writing satire and I just can't see it and now I look like an idiot?! Is it not funny at all and I look like a dick?!). I also don't want to diminish your feelings of wanting to be (more) funny by saying "but you are!!" but if I was you, I know I'd appreciate someone saying "you might not be as funny as you once were, and I can imagine that hurts, but I'm guessing you had a long way to fall if this you not being funny".
Thank you for this honest share about identity. I look forward to reading how you find (more) humour in your life x
Thanks, Lucy! It's weird—after writing this, it's been easier to be funny again hahaha. Maybe I just needed to admit I was spiraling to stop feeling blocked
Yes love how once we accept something, it suddenly gets easier!