Lessons in Storytelling—“This is my partner Ghee Buttersnaps”

This is possibly my favorite quote from Psych, but it is SO hard to pick!

Shawn Spencer: If we end up catching the Devil, and he starts acting all... devil-y, I know what to do. First I'll buy a fiddle. Play a quick tune, so he underestimates my abilities. Then I'll challenge him to a wager. If he wins, he gets my soul. I win, we get his cooperation—

I love Psych! It is my 12 year old son’s favorite show. If you have never seen it…shame on you. If you have then you know how deliciously funny it is.

I was thinking about all the ways they add humor to the show and how writers could use the same principles to “funny up” their stories and today’s post was born…

 

Lessons on adding humor to your story complements of Psych

Have a “strait” character—(obviously not “not gay”… you know what I mean :) A funny character needs a strait character. You need someone serious to bounce all that crazy off of. Example:

Burton 'Gus' Guster: Great. Now you've gotten me kicked out of a funeral. Just add it to the list. Kicked out of Petsmart, kicked out of Santa's Village, kicked out of the Salvation Army... 
Shawn Spencer: Dishonorably discharged!

Trifle with words—My hubby always tells my kids not to do this! LOL :) Jane Austen uses this technique a lot and it still works today. Find something funny in a word and use it. Example:

Juliet O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire today. 
Shawn Spencer: "Literally on fire" as in Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial, or as in a misuse of the word "literally?"

Character chemistry—Shawn and Gus can banter with the best of them. You can really get a sense of their relationship. This works amazingly well in stories: Example:

Shawn Spencer: Life insurance policy? 
Burton 'Gus' Guster: It doesn't make any sense. 
Shawn Spencer: Tell me about it... Dude, seriously, tell me about it. I have no idea what this means. 
Burton 'Gus' Guster: You never could understand legalese. 
Shawn Spencer: Oh, really? Remind me who it was who set up our Psych 401ks? 
Burton 'Gus' Guster: Oh, you mean our 601ks? Because India doesn't have 401ks. 
Shawn Spencer: It's a growth economy, Gus. We've already made like, 500 rupee. 
Burton 'Gus' Guster: That's thirteen dollars.

Mocking—Who doesn’t love a little well placed mockery? It always comes off best when the person doesn’t realize they are being mocked: Examples:

Juliet O'Hara: I had no idea you were so serious about bowling. 
Shawn Spencer: Quite serious, quite serious. Matter of fact, Lego wants to sponsor me this year. 
Juliet O'Hara: Oh, that's great. 
Shawn Spencer: They also want me to wear shoes made out of Legos... So I'm torn...

Shawn Spencer: Good morning detectives, collecting money for the Policeman's ball? 
Carlton Lassiter: We don't have balls. 
Shawn Spencer: I honestly have no response to that.

Funny nicknames—This won’t work for all story types or characters, but it is a fun way to add quirks. This is one of my favorite reoccurring parts of the show—when Shawn introduces Gus using a ridiculous name. Examples:

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my partner Ghee Buttersnaps…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my associate MC Clap-yo-hands…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn and this is my partner Dequan “Smallpox” Randal…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my partner Lavender Gooms…

Shawn Spencer: This is my Vice President Longbranch Penny Whistle…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my partner Control Alt Delete…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my friend Ovaltine Jenkins…

Shawn Spencer: I’m Shawn Spencer and this is my partner Squirts Macintosh…

Oh my goodness, I have to stop! I could go on all day.

Humor is so important. I don’t think you need to be a standup comic to write it :) So add a little funny into your story.

Got a favorite Psych episode? I want to hear about it!

 -Angie