All these writers have very different styles and different ways of making us laugh - although it did suddenly strike me that they have one thing in common: they've al written about the paranormal. This was quite uninentional on my part - I just invited authors who made me laugh :). And of course, they're all about romance.
So why do you think comedy and romance go so well together? I suppose love and laughter are two favourite human things, so you get double fun by having them in the same book :). And for me, emotion can be heightened by surrounding it with humour. A good, funny romance is the perfect escapism!What kind of humour do you most enjoy? Smart, witty dialogue? Slapstick? Snark? Ridiculous situations? Do you like gentle humour running all through a book, or prefer the clutch-your-sides, laugh-out-loud moments? What makes you laugh? Curious authors would love to know :).
Marie
I would much rather read books that have humor in them. I love those moments when you are reading and all of a sudden it dawns on you the author has snuck in a double entendre or some little inside joke that takes you by surprise. I do enjoy paranormal books, especially when the ideas are so well managed that the whole premise seems entirely possible!
ReplyDeleteGreat wit. Sharp repartee, well done, makes me laugh.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
It depends on my mood. Gentle humor throughout the book, maybe with some sharp repartee at other times.
ReplyDeleteI like gentle humor that isn't hurtful is my favorite type of humor. :)
ReplyDeleteiloveegypt602 at yahoo dot com
Stunning post and wonderful question! I like gentle humor but ridiculous situations gets me every time I love it ! It makes the book more memorable and stays in my minds eye for a long time after I have read it!
ReplyDeleteTake Care
Desere
desere_steenberg@yahoo.com
Not an easy question to answer, Marie. The first 'funny' paranormal book I read was refreshing, but the twentieth or thirtieth not so.
ReplyDeleteRecently I've had to abandon one or two books because the endless quips began to irritate.
I don't choose books for the humour. Unless the heroine is cast as an inveterate jokester (not very sympathetic), I'd prefer to see the humour used sparingly to offset the more serious 'meat' of the story.
Goodness, I didn't expect so many people to be up and about yet :). Great to see you!
ReplyDeleteKeizerfire, I like those little unexpected bits of humour too, the ones that take you by surprise :).
Marybelle, I agree you can't beat a good bit of witty repartee!
Jane, mood is a good point. I know I look on things differently, find different things funny depending on how I feel.
Charlotte, sometimes gentle humour IS best for me too, although I do enjoy characters snarking at each other occasionally too :).
Thank you, Desere! Ridiculous has to be good :)
Marie
Hi Jud! I suppose it depends how it's done, and how one's feeling at the time :). I like background humour in a story too, where the author hasn't set out to write comedy as such, but the humour still shines through.
ReplyDeleteMarie
i prefer gentle comedy
ReplyDeleteI am a mood reader and I at times love comedy. I lvoe the type that will make me laugh out loud and I lvoe the gentle one that will have me smiling.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I love comedy romance. I never really liked thick heavy romance book it just make me feel frustrated and stuffy. The things I usually find in a comedy romance are quirky characters with minds of their own and funny, sassy comebacks. Some awkward situation is also great for some comedy element. A little hilarious moment. However, slapstick is just a little (or more than a little) too much. Besides that, I don't exactly like books that have too much comedy even when it is a serious moment. Plus, it is rather exhausting there is really too much comedy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all these answers! Gentle comedy seems to be very popular :). And Tesh, that's an interesting point - we certainly don't want to be EXHAUSTED by comedy! Just enlivened and entertained :)
ReplyDeleteMarie
the bestest books, no matter, paranormal, suspense, it just needs a tad of humor , cause that is the best way to get thru life , or u need a double dose of prozac
ReplyDeletewynterapple@hotmail.com
I personally like the humor that is from a witty heroine who is putting a very stubborn hero in his place. I like the quick LOL moments in a book that literally make me LOL! Great post today!!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy humor in a book. I like to laugh out loud and have everyone around me wondering what is so funny.
ReplyDeletevinciawins@yahoo.com
I like humor in a book, we need to laugh more in this life.
ReplyDeleteWynterapple, you're making me laugh :)- but you're so right!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leagh!
And I'm so glad to hear how everyone likes to laugh :)
Marie
Humor is a big plus in a book, and in life as well. I don't care much for slapstick, but other types are all about equal in my view. I know that sometimes people look at me strangely when I am reading in a public place (waiting rooms, airports, etc), but laughter is really the best medicine many times.
ReplyDeletecgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com
Slapstick doesn't work well for me. Ridiculous situations make comedy plots go well. Snark -well it depends on the character whether it works. Wit and repartee is the sparkle though in comedy romances.
ReplyDeleteI have a good sense of humor so hope to get a chance to read one of your books
ReplyDeleteMarie, while I have not had the pleasure of reading one of your books I will definitely be looking for them on my next Borders visit!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite humor is a mix of subtle and outlandish. The "off the cuff" remark will be received just as well as the scene where something completely crazy happens.
I know for a fact that I've snort-laughed when reading passages from both Dakota Cassidy and Molly Harper. These same passages I read aloud to my daughter who reads nothing by Manga comics. (Don't worry, she's 20)
Thanks for the party! Now where's that waiter with my drink?.....
Omg...my "posting" word was almost "kerpow"...LOL!
Hi Carol, I have the same problem sometimes when I'm reading. And my husband complains about the shaking when I'm reading something funny in bed :)
ReplyDeleteYes,I'm a fan of sparkling wit too :). And I find slapstick fun too unless it's heavy-handed...
Thank you, Anonymous, I hope you do too! :)
Jenn, thank you! You're welcome, and I'll tell the waiter to bring you a whole bottle :)
Marie
personally i am a master at the double entendre,and i love wit that "bites". i also believe that if you've never read dakota's work , you should. go on- you know you wanna
ReplyDeleteI love humor in a book, must get a Dakota book!
ReplyDeletejbdownie5@yahoo.com
You make me chuckle! Ever try standup comedy?
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com
I like laugh out loud, tears streaming down my face humor. What's Up Doc? with Ryan O'Neal and Barbra Streisand is fantastic for that. In books, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series does it for me.
ReplyDeletesmg5775@yahoo.com
Good to hear, guys. Thanks for telling me!
ReplyDeleteDouble entendres work for me, Sue - very British :).
Absolutely, if you haven't read a Dakota book, you should! In fact, read them all :).
Standup, Di? On no, I think I'd fall down again pretty quick! I'll stick with writing :).
Marie
I do like some light comedy in my romance books.
ReplyDelete