Tag: Writing with Humor

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A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Pop go the Pop References!

lighter look at a writer's life

I teach Public Speaking to college and high school students, and one thing we talk about is “Shared Meaning.” When you are trying to relate to an audience, you must strive for a mutual understanding of things you are talking about in your speech. Shared Meaning is just as important in writing as it is in speaking. I am currently learning and experiencing this issue with my much-younger students.

When I have a rather large class, as I do this semester, I play an icebreaker game, in which students must ask each other basic questions, like the following:

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

What’s your favorite time of the year?

What’s your favorite TV show?

That last question is the point where it has gotten dicey this semester. Students are encouraged to ask me these same questions, and one inquired about my favorite TV show. I don’t watch much current TV at all, so my answer is always the same: my all-time favorite is I Love Lucy.

DISCLAIMER: Even though I am much older than my students, I was NOT ALIVE during I Love Lucy’s initial run. I have always watched it in reruns, on tape, or on DVD (see, I am old, but not THAT old).

The student wrote my answer on his paper and then delivered the dagger to my heart with his reply: “Hmmm, never heard of that one!”

NEVER heard of that one? NEVER felt the joy of the Vitameatavegimin routine? NEVER bent over double from laughing at the candy factory episode? NEVER heard Lucy cry “WAHHHHH?” I.Can’t.Even.

I decided to poll my other classes, and, out of all of them, ONE student had heard of and watched I Love Lucy. I guess I need to reserve my place at the Old Folks Village ASAP. Maybe I can get a part in those “People Becoming Their Parents” insurance commercials.

I wanted to know something my students currently watch, and they mentioned the show Stranger Things. I know just a smidge about that show: it’s on Netflix, it’s about the ’80s, and it brought back the song “Running Up That Hill,” which I didn’t like in the ’80s and certainly don’t like now. Get off my lawn!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Please don’t suggest I watch Stranger Things. It’s not my cup of tea, I will never watch it, so maybe you can tell me your favorite I Love Lucy episode instead.

The lesson here? In speaking and in writing, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. In my day job, I work with mostly teenagers—I probably don’t need to make references to I Love Lucy, E.T., or Jessie’s Girl when I am speaking to them. If I’m writing a piece geared toward younger people, I need to find out what they relate to and address those things. What’s hip and “with it” right now?

Um, maybe I need to reword that last remark.

If I am addressing a “more mature” audience (of which I am a part), I can include references to the “oldies but goodies” of pop culture. They are my people and know who Jenny is and her phone number, who shot J.R., and who and what hit Marcia to make her say “Oh, my nose!”

If you don’t know those references, I am sorry. Really sorry. Grab your sippy cup and watch an episode of Bluey. Yes, miraculously, I have heard of that show.

Now, give me your pop culture references. Hit me with your best shot.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap For February, Part One

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, and Melissa Stroh is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Let Me Entertain You with Larry J Leech II

While we long to use our words and stories to help the reader deepen or develop their relationship with God, readers like to be entertained. They want something that will make them chuckle, or smile, or experience a full-on belly laugh. But using humor can be risky. The wrong joke at the wrong time or a misinterpreted comment can frustrate, or even disgust, a reader. You certainly don’t want either of those to happen.

Watch the January 30th Replay

Larry J. Leech II, editor-in-chief and acquisitions editor at Bold Vision Books, shares five tricks for adding humor to your writing. Larry has spent more than 40 years working with words. After a 23-year journalism career, Larry moved into freelance writing and editing in 20004. He has ghostwritten 30 books and edited more than 400 manuscripts. His freelance clients have won more than 70 awards in the last eight years.

Novel Marketing Conference Recap with Johnnie Alexander and M.N. Stroh

Writers Chat cohosts Johnnie and Melissa (M.N.) are joined by surprise guest Kathy Brasby to talk about their experiences at the recent Novel Marketing Conference, hosted by podcaster extraordinaire Thomas Umstattd Jr., in Austin, Texas. This first annual conference focused on marketing for both fiction and nonfiction authors. One of the key benefits to was the opportunity to network with a terrific group of talented authors and industry professionals.

Watch the February 6th replay

Putting Romance in Every Genre with Daniel Kaplan

In this episode of Writers Chat, AutoCrit coach and workshop creator, Daniel Kaplan, leads the discussion of exploring the delicate art of blending heartfelt romance with complex storylines. How do you ensure that your love interest is more than a mere object of affection and avoid the pitfalls of contrived relationships that can derail your story? Daniel discusses strategies to sidestep these common errors, creating romance that amplifies your narrative’s impact, enriches character development, and captivates your audience from start to finish.

Watch the February 13th replay

Creator of 24 writing workshops and multiple courses for AutoCrit, Daniel Kaplan is passionate about dynamic education presentations and coaching authors. With over a decade of experience, his mission is to demystify intricate artistic concepts and make them accessible to everyone.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

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Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Take Your Time

We’re almost 3 months into the new year, and unfortunately, a lot of people have already given up on their goals for the year. How are you doing with the goals you set for yourself?

One study shows that 40% of Americans give up on their New Year’s resolutions. Doing anything new is hard for everyone. One of the reasons people give up, is they aren’t getting the results they want quickly enough. We cannot apply the “microwave” mentality to life.

While goal setting is beneficial, having an effective game plan is critical to achieving your goals. Regardless of what your goals are for this year, understand achieving them is a process and processes take time.

Below are a few of the top goals people have each year.

  • Getting in shape
  • Financial freedom
  • Relationship goals

Writers have their own specific goals for the year, I have a couple myself. Goals are great for pushing ourselves to make progress. After my accident, I learned the importance of setting daily, weekly and yearly goals.

“Maybe it won’t be famous. Maybe it won’t be a movie. But that’s not why I started it. And that’s not why I’ll finish.”

Ryan Reudel

As with everything else in life, recovery is a process, it’s best to learn how to take your time.

Take Your Time

I had to relearn everything in life, and how to do them despite my limitations. Disabled persons want to get back to their “old” lives as quickly as possible. However, for most of us, it means accepting the “new” normal.

Sometimes rushing a recovery can do more harm than good. If your body and brain aren’t ready, a disabled person can hurt themselves and will suffer a setback in the process.

As with anyone else disabled persons must deal with growing pains that come with their recovery. There are unnecessary consequences many have to learn the hard way. It took me falling off of the toilet in the hospital to realize just how bad off I was.

Setbacks can make you want something more or give up. Understanding trials are part of the recovery process can help us enjoy the process better. Injuries take time to heal and each patient must do their part if they want to get better.

7 tips for recovering from injury from Social Elite Physical Therapy.

  1. Critical original entry stage –When your injury first takes place, your initial response can have a drastic impact on your overall recovery outlook. For any injury that does not require an instant visit to the emergency room, there will always be a period of time before you meet and strategize with a physical therapist or doctor.
  2. Rest and ice- After assessing your injury, the very first step is to take it easy and rest the affected area for at least a few days. The resting stage can perfectly coincide with the period of time that you set up an appointment with a physical therapist.
  3. Compression, elevation –The second half of the fail-safe RICE method involves compression and elevation. Like step number 2, you should compress and elevate the injury the same day it occurs, or immediately if possible.
  4. Light activity/exercise –If you are still at the stage where you are attempting to self-diagnose the severity of your recent injury, this can be a great step to lightly test the affected area. Make sure to never try your regular workout regimen.
  5. Every case is different –There are so many factors that vary with each person’s body that could affect injury recovery and progression. Every case is truly different. That’s why you need a physical therapist to help guide you.
  6. Balance of injury versus exercise –This can be one of the trickiest steps to execute within the injury recovery process. It’s important to stay in shape, but not at the expense of your injury recovery. Once you have received a diagnosis from your physical therapist or doctor, you will need to strictly follow their guidance for day-to-day activity.
  7. Be aware of setbacks –Recovering from an injury in many cases can be very difficult. There is potential for setbacks. It can be fairly easy to tweak an injury and worsen your condition. Even if it has begun to improve.

The recovery process is a marathon just like the path to publication. Writers must take their time to learn the craft, hone their skills, and polish their writing.

“Assuming you already have your manuscript completed, it can take a writer nine months to two years for their book to be published once a contract is signed.”

Writers Digest

The writing process is long, but it gives us time to become better writers and to grow in the craft.

Grow As You Go

When we rush a process, we lose the time necessary to receive the best results. When we take our time we allow our muscles and skills to grow. Muscles grow and heal when our bodies are resting, not when we are working them.

After my accident I was in such a hurry to get out of the hospital, I didn’t realize the limitations of my eyesight. On one occasion I walked into a door frame while talking to my neuropsychologist.

The doctors decided to keep me in rehabilitation for a few weeks longer until I was better prepared. Novelist PD James observes, “Open your mind to new experiences, particularly to the study of other people. Nothing that happens to a writer- however happy, however tragic- is ever wasted.” The recovery process serves numerous purposes.

  • Allows the body to heal
  • Helps us understand our weaknesses
  • Helps us to grow stronger

Likewise, a writer’s journey takes time. As writers, we understand how important it is to grow our platforms and brands. Writers also must learn the craft, develop their voice and learn how to polish their writing; each of these is why we must take our time.

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

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A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Bam! Pow! Zap! Batman and Clever Writing

lighter look at a writer's life

During my senior year of college, I took a class called “Psychology of Advertising,” taught by a first-time adjunct instructor. For whatever reason, we didn’t get along. Personality clash? My impatience? His arrogant attitude? Probably all of the above.

During one class discussion, he asked everyone, “What is something that makes YOU, YOU? Something or someone who has really influenced you?”

He started at the opposite side of the room from where I sat, and I listened to the stock answers. “My parents.” “My grandparents.” “My fourth-grade teacher.” And on and on. It was all very sweet, unlike me that evening.

Now, those people in my life—parents, grandparents, teachers—have influenced me more than they will ever know. That particular day, I wasn’t feeling warm and fuzzy. Plus, I was a quite snarky 21-year-old (shocking, I know).

It came my turn. I thought deeply about something that had influenced my personality and my outlook on life.

“The TV show Batman.”

I imagined a thought bubble: BAM! I got a good, steady laugh from the rest of the students, while the teacher peered at me for what seemed like an eternity. Okay, here goes—in the doghouse again.

“I’m glad you said that!” It was the most excited he had been all semester. “Pop culture things really do influence us! We’ll definitely talk more about that soon!”

That moment eased the tension between the two of us, and we got along for the rest of the semester and had some good conversations.

That’s a really long buildup for me to revisit the appreciation I have for the WRITING on the old Batman ‘66 show. Yes, the WRITING.

I recently found the series on the Roku Channel and have been watching the third season episodes, mostly because I loved Batgirl (and wanted to marry her when I was nine). Most pundits would say that season was the point where the show went downhill creatively, but I beg to differ.

Sure, the sets were sparse, adding to the surrealism, but the plots and jokes gave an interesting nod to ‘60s culture, offering plenty of satire and general absurdity.

Take, for instance, the episode in which we meet the new Catwoman, played with gusto by Eartha Kitt. The opening scene is a fashion show, in which Batgirl is awarded the first annual “Batty” for being the “best-dressed crime-fightress.” You can’t make this stuff up (well, actually, someone did). The rest of the episode pokes fun at ‘60s fashion, with Catwoman’s brilliant line in response to the miniskirt trend: “Mini-Ha-Ha!”

The three-part “Londinium” story skewers the groovy London culture; Batman dons a recycled monster costume for “How to Hatch a Dinosaur”. There are references to fondue, “wall-of-sound” girl groups, and other fads of the era.

The ultimate episode of this type was “Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under,” which hilariously satirized the surfing/beach movie culture, complete with a surfing contest between Batman and the Joker. Both hero and villain don surf jams over their costumes, and Batman fends off a shark with his Bat-Shark-Repellant-Spray to win the duel and save Gotham City, which suddenly has a beach. The humor was spot-on, with puns and clever asides galore, as campy as can be.

My lesson: good, clever writing will survive and bring joy even years later. As an adult, I am noticing things in Batman that went way over the head of my nine-year-old self who rushed home from school  to flip on the television in the hopes of seeing the Batcopter or, even better, the Batgirl-Cycle.

Know your audience and your style. Include clever asides when appropriate. And learn how to get yourself out of a deadly Human Knot by wiggling your ears—a skill that may come in handy someday.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate–all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for April, Part 1

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Blending Humor with Your Writing and Speaking with Jane Jenkins Herlong

In this episode of Writers Chat, Jane shares timely advice about humor during these days of the Covid19 virus and being ordered by government officials to stay home. She does it all…writer, a speaker, former beauty queen, and a comedian extraordinaire! Jane encourages writers and speakers to embrace rejection, be brave, say yes to opportunities, and give graciously to others. These are only a few of the topics she touched on during this power packed hour of humor and sound advice.

Watch the April 7th replay

Bio

Jane Jenkins Herlong grew up with Dyslexia and was often told, “You can’t do that.” Turning no into next along with determination and hard work is what propelled Jane into the world of entertaining. She’s an award-winning, bestselling author, Hall of Fame international speaker and comedian, a singer/songwriter, and entertains people all over the globe with her Southern wit and charm. Jane encourages her audiences to find humor in the ordinary and “Prove people wrong and laugh while living your dream.” You can find Jane on social media and at janejenkinsherlong@gmail.com

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link. 

Participants mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.

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A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Gotta Have Goals

lighter look at a writer's life

It’s a new year, and we all know what that means: resolutions! Love them or hate them, we all make them.

I have resolved to lose weight for the last 45 or so New Years. I’ve had success here and there, but I am reminded of my favorite quote from Erma Bombeck:

“In two decades I’ve lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.”

Pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?

I have been thinking about resolutions as a writer and have decided to call them “goals” instead. That might give me more of an incentive to complete them:

GOAL ONE: Establish a better writing routine. I tend to be one of those “pantsers,” who writes by the seat of my pants without a plan. I’m still that way, but I hope to be more consistent with daily/weekly writing.

GOAL TWO: Finish what I started. I have a few projects that have been stuck in limbo, and I need to finish those. My agent and collaborators will applaud this one.

GOAL THREE: Pray over my projects. Sometimes I try to push through, forgetting the spiritual side. Without God, my writing will go nowhere. What’s the point if He’s not in the center?

GOAL FOUR: Eat less, exercise more. WHOOPS—wrong set of goals! However, the healthier I am, the better everything goes.

There they are, my goals in black and white. Maybe having them in print, in public, will motivate me. Now watch me as I write while avoiding Hershey Bars.

Carlton Hughes is a professor of communication at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, children’s pastor at Lynch Church of God, freelance writer, husband to Kathy, and father to Noah and Ethan. He enjoys long walks on the beach (He really does!), photography, and classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy. Hughes has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Simple Little Words, and several devotional books from Worthy Publishing–The Wonders of Nature, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, Let the Earth Rejoice, and the forthcoming Everyday Grace for Men. He is on the planning committee and serves as a faculty member for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. Hughes is a true blue fan of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball and loves to cook and bake, especially anything involving chocolate.

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Craft Writing with Humor

Malapropisms — The Insanely Successful Yogi Berra Technique of Humor

Malapropisms - The Insanely Successful Yogi Berra Technique of Humor by Jean Wilund via www.AlmostAnAuthor.com

Malapropisms

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Say what?

A malapropism sounds more like a contagious disease than a humor technique, but it’s actually a safe and effective way to catch your reader off guard.

The late baseball catcher Yogi Berra was known as much for his malapropisms as for his skill behind the batter’s box.

A malapropism is the mistaken use of words often in place of similar-sounding ones. It can also be a nonsensical phrase — one that seems to make sense at first but leaves you scratching your head, such as these Yogi Berra malapropisms:

Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.

We made too many wrong mistakes.

It’s like déjà vu all over again.

Yogi created so many malapropisms they became known as Yogi-isms.

Yogi-isms have cropped up everywhere. In fact, he’s been given credit for more malapropisms than he actually created. This led him to utter one more: I didn’t really say everything I said.

He may not have said all he said, but he did say, 90% of the game is half mental, and You can observe a lot by watching.

Most Effective Malapropisms  

A malapropism is most effective is when it’s unintentional.

My 10-year-old daughter created one when she tried to quote a favorite line from the 1996 version of 101 Dalmatians.

She meant to say, “It’s not hatred that’s important. It’s the desire to annihilate.“

She accidentally said, “It’s not hatred that’s important. It’s the desire to laminate.”

Really? It’s the desire to cover in plastic? I’m still laughing over that one.

Whenever you hear a good malapropism, put it in your “Humor File.”

Feel free to add this one to your file:

My friend Carol was easy to trick and was a good sport about it. Once, when she caught on that I was tricking her, she laughed and meant to say either, “You’re teasing me,” or “You’re pulling my leg.” What came out, though, was, “You’re teasing my leg.”

Could Your Novel Use a Malapropism?

Malapropisms create not only a touch of humor, they can provide a needed comic relief in a mystery or drama. Or you could weave them throughout your entire piece and create a spoof, like the play “Murdered to Death.”

Malapropisms are also a good tool for making a character more lovable, like the animated character Dory of the movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory .

“I suffer from short-term remembery loss.”

Malapropisms will catch your reader off guard and may hold them to the last page. Try adding some into your writing today.

[bctt tweet=”Malapropisms – The insanely successful Yogi Berra technique of humor #AmWriting #Humor” username=”A3forme “]

Malapropisms - The Insanely Successful Yogi Berra Technique of Humor by Jean Wilund via www.AlmostAnAuthor.comNow it’s your turn.

What are some of your favorite malapropisms?

Share them in the Condiments section at the bottom of the page. 

 

 

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Craft Writing with Humor

Thou Shalt Commandments For Writing With Humor

Click to learn the two greatest commandments for writing with humor

Thou Shalt write with humor.

But how?

By following these two commandments from humor author James N. Watkins:

I. Thou Shalt Know Thy Audience

When you know your audience, you understand how far you can take your humor. You know the envelope.

Once you know the envelope, push it.

Humor that surprises — not horrifies — your audience works best.

Each audience has its nuances. 

What makes a group of writers chuckle might fall flat with a group of doctors.

What works in an article written for teenagers may leave a group of seniors scratching their 80-year old heads, or worse, wagging them in disdain.

II. Thou Shalt Not Be Ungracious

Turn on the news and opportunities to poke fun at someone will present itself in short order.

Someone in Somewhere, USA will have proved yet again a Murphy’s Law of the South which states,

Whenever a guy utters, “Hey y’all, watch this!” something stupid is about to happen that will end in a 911 call.

Watkins encourages writers to ridicule behavior, not people.

If you want to make fun of someone, make fun of yourself.

Watkins’ took his inspiration for this great commandment from the Bible. “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:6).

Obey Watkins’ commandments for writing with humor and you’ll entertain your readers, not lose them.

[bctt tweet=”Follow The 2 Greatest Commandments For Writing With #Humor #AmWriting #Author” username=”JeanWilund”]

Check out James Watkins’ website Hope and Humor as well as his book Writing with Banana Peels.

Continue reading “Thou Shalt Commandments For Writing With Humor”
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Craft Writing with Humor

Adding Humor to Your Writing Is As Easy as 1 – 2 – 3: The Rule of Three, to be exact.

Adding Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be Exact. by Jean Wilund via www.AlmostAnAuthor.com

Adding humor to any type of writing is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3.

Not 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.

Or 1 – 2.

1 – 2 – 3.

Research shows we like lists of three. Four sounds overdone. Two feels incomplete. Three is just right.

I guess Goldilocks and the three bears were right.

The literary device known as The Rule of Three says lists are funnier, more satisfying, and more effective in threes. 

I agree.

Here are three easy tips for adding humor using The Rule of Three:

1. Add an Unexpected Humorous Ending to a List of Three.

Whether you’re writing a serious or comedic piece, throwing in a humorous ending to a list of three grabs your reader’s attention.

Getting fit and trim is easy. Eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less processed foods, and borrow your skinny neighbor’s five kids and three dogs to chase around.

In the above example, the third point could easily lead into a serious discussion about adopting a more active lifestyle for an article on health and fitness.

It could also lead into a humorous anecdote in a novel about two friends who are opposites.

In my last article, I talked about using opposites in humor, which is otherwise known as juxtaposition for you scholarly types. Check it out here.

2. Add an Unexpected Serious Ending to a List of Three

A list that starts out humorous but ends in a more normal tone is another method for catching the reader by surprise and introducing the topic in a memorable way.

The following example could be used to introduce the topic of why every writer should join a critique group.

The most successful road to publishing awakens delusions of grandeur, unearths deep-seated insecurities, and leads through a writer’s critique group that will help keep the author grounded somewhere in between.

3. Change-up a Well-Known List of Three

Can you fill in the last word in each of these lists?

Live, Love, _____.

Friends, Romans, _____.

The good, the bad, and the _____.

Surely every American knows these famous phrases. (If not, check the bottom of the post for the answers.) 

When we take a familiar list of three and change it up with something unfamiliar, we throw our reader off and make them laugh.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt.

Click to learn how easy it is to add humor to your writing using The Rule of Three.

When well-done, The Rule of Three brings a smile to our readers’ faces, encourages them to keep reading, and results in smiling authors.

It’s a win-win. 

Not everything has to be grouped in three’s.

The answers to the blanks in #3 are:

Live, Love, Laugh. 

Friends, Romans, countrymen. 

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt came from the famous quote by Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered. 

What are some favorite change-ups you’ve heard? Share them in the comments below. 

[bctt tweet=”Adding #Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be exact. #amwriting #author”]