Feb 27, 2024 08:00:00

Advice that humor is more important in serious and violent stories and dark works

When creating a story, it is important to create an atmosphere that suits the work. For works that mainly deal with crime and violence, it is desirable to create a serious and dark atmosphere, but thriller writer E.A. explains why it is even more important to include humorous and bright scenes in such works. - Mr. Aimar explains.

The Importance of Humor in Crime Fiction ‹ CrimeReads

https://crimereads.com/the-importance-of-humor-in-crime-fiction/

There is a technique called ` `comic relief' ' that moves the reader's emotions by inserting counterintuitive comedic scenes in scenes of tension or deep sadness. Comic relief is the effective use of comedic scenes to create a variety of emotional textures, convey a message through sarcastic laughter, and emphasize the reality of the situation, creating a compelling story. I can.

What is the technique of ``comic relief'' that adds comedy to a serious scene to make the story more convincing? -GIGAZINE

Aimar says that, similar to comic relief, humor can be used skillfully in works dealing with crime and violence to emphasize lighter scenes within a darker atmosphere. He cited journalist and author Carl Hiaasen as an author who excels in this technique.

Hiaasen's 2004 book Skinny Dip tells the story of a husband, Chaz, who tries to kill his wife, but his surviving wife, Joey, thwarts his plans for further crimes. Although it deals with dangerous and violent elements, such as Chaz's brutal crime plans, Aimar points out that romance and humor keep the work from becoming too dark.

Also, according to Aimar, humor can also be used to establish character. If you use humor in your responses or incorporate dark humor mixed with sarcasm into the conversation, you will be able to more clearly see what the character thinks and what they think is important.

In addition,

Lou Barney , an American crime novelist, effectively creates ``warmth'' through humor. Crime stories are often filled with a dark atmosphere and cannot vividly convey the intrigue of the tricks or the skill of the psychological depictions. Mr. Aimar explains that by adding warmth to a work through humor, like Mr. Barney, the charm of the work can be conveyed more vividly.

When writing the thriller ' When She Left ,' which depicts a couple on the run from an assassin, Aimar himself was conscious of using humor to add depth to the characters and give warmth to the work. “We need warmth, a place for our readers to come when it’s cold,” Aymar said.