It is pointed out that humor is the most powerful weapon a writer can use.
There are several important skills to have when creating a novel, such as knowledge and ideas for the setting and plot, and a sense of how to make important scenes look cool. Among these, Rob Hart, a mystery and thriller writer, says that being able to use humor effectively is one of the greatest weapons a writer can have.
Why Humor is one of the Sharpest Tools in a Writer's Arsenal ‹ CrimeReads
Even in works with a serious and dark atmosphere, there is a technique called 'comic relief' that can move the reader's emotions by inserting humorous scenes precisely because of that atmosphere. Comic relief is expected to have the effect of preventing the reader from becoming accustomed to emotions such as fear or sadness that continue for a long time, and by releasing the tension, it can further increase the tension of the story.
What is the technique of 'comic relief that makes the story more persuasive' by inserting comedy into serious scenes? - GIGAZINE
Hart also believes that making characters funny helps readers trust them, and when a story has a heavy theme like alcoholism or murder, he tries to make the protagonist assassin a humorous character early on in the writing process. 'If you can make the reader laugh, they'll trust you and your characters. Once that trust is established, you can take them anywhere,' he said.
When people laugh, endorphins , which are reward chemicals in the brain, are released. The release of endorphins makes you feel happy and relieves stress, so Hart says that the right joke not only relieves tension, but also strengthens the impression of the scene.
Furthermore, humor helps establish characters. Thriller writer E.A. Aimar also points out that humor is especially important in dark works, citing the reason that 'humorous responses in conversations and the incorporation of sarcastic black humor into conversations make it easier to see how the character thinks and what they consider important.' According to Aimar, humor has the effect of adding warmth to a work, making it 'a warm place for readers to drop in when it's cold.'
Advice that humor is more important in serious, violent and dark stories - GIGAZINE
Regarding the effect of humor, which Aimar describes as 'warmth,' Hart points out that it has 'a lot to do with trust.' Even in an unreasonable and painful world, humorous scenes and conversations are seen as a declaration that the characters are not afraid of the world they face. Also, the people who exchange humor show their own mutual trust. In this way, Hart concludes that humor brings about many levels of trust.
On the other hand, some may think that 'bringing light-hearted humor to a dark subject will weaken the seriousness of the work.' However, Hart points out that such a change amplifies the emotional weight. By relaxing the tension of the characters with humor, the characters become more human, and the more human they are, the more readers can empathize with them.
Hart cited screenwriter and film director James Gunn as a master of humor. Gunn, who has worked on the ' Guardians of the Galaxy ' series and ' The Suicide Squad: The Ultimate Villain ,' has his characters make light-hearted jokes and sometimes behave in a silly way, so that viewers can feel humor in the characters. Viewers who get closer to the characters mentally through laughter will gain strong empathy when the characters reach an emotional explosion in the story.
' Assassins Anonymous ,' published by Hart in June 2024, tells the story of a reformed assassin who is targeted by assassins but escapes without killing anyone. Although the story is far from a comedy, Hart says that by making the protagonist a humorous character and providing laughs at key points, readers can empathize more with the character as he faces his own destiny in a chaotic world.
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