The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions into the Writing of Humor, by Patrick McManus

My husband introduced me to McManus shortly after we were married. I connected with McManus' sense of humor and abundant wit. *Ah hem* I also appreciated the fact the McManus, who was raised in Idaho, describes places that I've been to and have experienced to a degree. Having spent a short while living in the great state of Idaho, (And no, that is not a contradictory statement. Idaho IS great.), I appreciate stirring pleasant memories by tales of outdoor ineptitude.

What better way to enjoy McManus and his style than to read about How it Comes To Be? As I have a developing desire to practice humor through the written word, it seemed a wise idea to go the source of a modern day humorist. It's a great way to begin the practice of writing. (Note: The practice of writing doesn't actually start with a pen and paper. It begins by reading. And getting a blog. All great ideas start with blogs, right?)

I enjoy McManus' style. I enjoy it even more now that I know that he is a fan of the television show Frasier. (He has good taste!)

McManus spends the first half of this book explaining how to portray a situation or person in a humorous light. He writes about the desired effect (i.e., to produce laughter) and the amount of tweaking it could entail, also noting that he is not serious enough to spend a lot of time on re-writes.

Laughter is not only the best medicine but the best revenge, although being rich and handsome and outliving all your enemies are good ones too." (Page 59)

The second half of the book is used to share some of his own short stories and explanations of how they came to be.

Even if you aren't inclined to take McManus seriously when it comes to writing instruction, it is worth reading this book just be amused. Or, because the front of the book quotes the New York Times Book Review as sayings: "Everybody should read Patrick McManus." Read it just because everybody should and/or every body does. He's funny. Reading his stories won't kill you although participating in any one of them might.