How to Incorporate Humor Into Your Story

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving your journey with heart, depth, and meaning. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re diving into a topic that can add energy, charm, and authenticity to any story: humor.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking—'I’m not a comedian. I don’t know how to be funny in writing.' And that’s okay. The truth is, humor in storytelling isn’t about writing jokes—it’s about capturing the funny, awkward, or unexpected moments that naturally happen in life.

Think about your own experiences. How many times has something gone hilariously wrong? How often do you find yourself laughing about things that weren’t funny at the time, but now make for a great story? Humor is everywhere—it’s in the timing, the absurdity of everyday life, the things we don’t say, and the way we react to the unexpected.

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Transcript

Don 0:13

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving your journey with heart, depth, and meaning. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re diving into a topic that can add energy, charm, and authenticity to any story: humor. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking:'I’m not a comedian. I don’t know how to be funny in writing.' And that’s okay. The truth is, humor in storytelling isn’t about writing jokes: it’s about capturing the funny, awkward, or unexpected moments that naturally happen in life. Think about your own experiences. How many times has something gone hilariously wrong? How often do you find yourself laughing about things that weren’t funny at the time, but now make for a great story? Humor is everywhere: it’s in the timing, the absurdity of everyday life, the things we don’t say, and the way we react to the unexpected. So today, we’re going to talk about how to bring humor into your writing in a natural, effortless way. Whether you want to add a light touch to a serious story or simply make your storytelling more engaging, I’ll share tips on finding humor in everyday moments, using comedic timing in writing, and making your readers laugh without forcing it. Let’s dive in.""Humor does more than just make people laugh: it makes stories real. It makes heavy topics feel more approachable, it keeps readers engaged, and it creates a sense of connection. Think about your favorite books or stories. Even the most serious ones usually have moments of humor. Why? Because humor reflects real life. We laugh in moments of joy, but we also laugh in the face of stress, embarrassment, and even sadness. I once worked with a storyteller who was writing about a particularly difficult time in her life: losing a job unexpectedly. She wanted the story to be honest, but she also didn’t want it to feel too heavy. So she included a moment where, in the middle of a stressful interview, she accidentally called her future boss'Mom.' That one tiny moment of humor didn’t take away from the depth of her story: it made it more relatable. Humor isn’t just about making people laugh: it’s about making your story feel human.""Some of the best humor in writing comes from the small, ridiculous, and unexpected moments of daily life. You don’t have to create a punchline: just observe what’s already there. Let’s try a quick exercise. Think of a time when something didn’t go as planned. Maybe it was a family vacation that went sideways. Maybe it was an embarrassing moment, like tripping in front of a crowd or sending a text to the wrong person. Maybe it was a minor inconvenience that, looking back, was actually pretty funny. One of my own? I once locked myself out of my own house: not just once, but three times in the same week. The first time, I laughed it off. The second time, I started to get frustrated. By the third time, I had to admit: this wasn’t a coincidence, this was who I am as a person. The lesson? Look for the moments when life humbles you. Those are often the best sources of humor. The key is to capture the reaction: whether it’s your own disbelief, the deadpan response of someone else, or the sheer ridiculousness of the situation.""Timing is everything when it comes to humor. In real life, humor often happens in the pause: the unexpected reaction, the delayed realization, the awkward silence after someone says something bizarre. In writing, you can recreate comedic timing using three simple techniques: The Rule of Three: The first two items in a list set up an expectation, and the third one surprises.'My uncle gave me three pieces of advice before my first job: Show up on time, work hard, and never, under any circumstances, agree to a company karaoke night.' The Well-Timed Pause: A line break or short sentence can mimic comedic beats.'I was feeling confident. I had rehearsed my speech, picked the perfect outfit, and walked into the room like I owned it. Then I tripped over my own feet and spilled coffee on my boss. Exaggeration: Sometimes, going just a little over-the-top makes a moment funnier.'I tried to act natural, but my attempt at a casual lean turned into a full-body crash into the nearest table.' By playing with timing, pacing, and exaggeration, you can make humor land in a way that feels effortless.""One of the easiest ways to incorporate humor is by turning the joke on yourself. Readers connect with storytellers who don’t take themselves too seriously. Think about it: some of the funniest people you know are probably great at poking fun at their own mistakes, awkward moments, or bad decisions. It’s endearing. It makes them relatable. A storyteller I worked with wrote about learning to cook after years of avoiding the kitchen. She included a scene where she proudly followed a recipe to make homemade bread, only to realize she had mis-red'tablespoons' as'cups' when measuring the salt. Her family’s reaction? Pure horror. The reason this works is because readers love authenticity. When you’re willing to admit, Yeah, I did that… and it was a disaster, people feel closer to you. It builds trust, and it makes your storytelling all the more engaging.""Humor is a powerful tool, but like any tool, it’s all about balance. A well-placed moment of humor can make a serious story feel more human, but too much humor at the wrong time can undercut the depth of a moment. Think about movies that use humor to break tension: like a funny line in the middle of a dramatic scene. It doesn’t take away from the emotion; it actually makes it hit harder by giving the audience a second to breathe. One storyteller I worked with wrote about saying goodbye to her childhood home. It was a deeply emotional chapter. But she balanced the heaviness with a small, funny moment: remembering how her dad, in the middle of this sentimental farewell, accidentally backed the moving truck into a mailbox. That tiny, real-life moment of humor didn’t make the goodbye any less meaningful: it made it feel real. The takeaway? Humor and emotion aren’t opposites. They work together to create stories that feel honest and layered.""As we wrap up today’s episode, I want you to think about a moment in your life that made you laugh: maybe even one that didn’t seem funny at the time, but looking back, you can’t help but smile. Write it down. Capture the details. Play with the timing. And remember, humor isn’t about telling jokes: it’s about finding the absurdity, the irony, or the little unexpected moments that make life interesting. If today’s episode made you smile, share your thoughts with me on social media or through my website. And if you want more tools to bring humor into your storytelling, check out my book, The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story. Thank you for joining me on The Legacy Project Podcast. Your story matters. And sometimes? A little humor makes it all the more unforgettable. Start writing, start sharing, and leave your mark. I’ll see you next time."