Weekend Links: More on Humor

For those who've read my post about humor, this will be a fitting follow up. I've been trying to pay attention to different types of humor as I've gone about my daily routine. I caught the video above on Facebook last week and enjoyed it. 

As you watch it, try to hear the words separate from the visuals. The words are hilarious alone and when added to the context of the video, it's brilliant.

Of course, the compilers of the video didn't create any visual humor, they just capitalized on existing footage by adding some pretty funny (and family friendly) verbal humor.  

But illustrators have loads of opportunities to create visual humor in subtle and not-so subtle ways. Looney Tunes creators were masters at this, which is why their appeal crosses generations. One of my favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons is a perfect example of how an illustrator (and how an author with carefully played art notes) can add multiple layers of humor. Notice the name plates of the knights in the following clip:

Now moving into this century, I finally watched the Life of Pi. So much understated humor, which I love, but my favorite line of the movie had to be when Pi's father was talking about their move from India to Canda:

1. Pi's Father: "We will sail like Columbus."

1. Pi: "But Columbus was looking for India!"

I wish I could have found a video clip for that scene, but this behind the scenes video captures some of the humor a lot of beauty that went into the film.

I hope something tickles your funny bone and your funny pen and I hope you have a great weekend.

Thinking Outside the Book Cover

I'm still settling into to our new home, but had the fortune of watching the video above. It's an interview for SCBWI, of Julie Hedlund, author and founder of 12x12. The publishing world is adapting and Julie's interview exposes one way to think outside the traditional methods of getting published. It's definitely worth viewing.

On another note, I joined WriteOnCon for the first time this year. We had the chance of having agents view our queries and first five pages or first 250 words. I posted a middle grade novel I've been working on and a picture book. I can't say I got any agent comments, but I definitely benefited from the other writers' comments who graciously took time out to critique my stories.

Forums like 12x12, Verla Kay's Blueboards (now the SCBWI Blueboards), PiBoIdMo, NaNoWriMo and WriteOnCon are all great ways to meet other writers and learn the ins and outs of the publishing world for anyone seriously considering a plunge into the world of writing.  

And to take a page off of Leandra's blog, here's my favorite line from my historical-fiction, middle grade novel that I posted in WriteOnCon:

I heard the screen door slam and saw my father’s shadow skirt the corner and disappear. The truck started up and the sounds of it pulling away masked the clanging of the pots coming from the kitchen. 

Whatever my mom was doing stopped when Grandma entered. She rarely came out of her room, but when she did, we had to be on our best behavior. 

Happy Writing.