Punch up your process—even on days you’re not feeling funny.
Even the best comedians don’t wait around for inspiration to strike like a lightning bolt—because sometimes it feels more like a leaky faucet. Comedy, like any art form, is a muscle, and writing exercises are your gym. (Minus the sweaty guy on the treadmill watching you.)
Here are five go-to writing exercises that comedians use to stay fresh, funny, and sharp—even between gigs.
1. The List Game
This one’s a classic—and deceptively powerful.
How it works:
Pick a random topic—“coffee,” “bad dates,” “airports,” or “grandmas with tattoos.” Now list everything you can think of related to that topic. Don’t edit. Just go.
Once you’ve got your list, start circling the weird, specific, or emotionally charged items. That’s your gold.
Why it works:
Comedy lives in the specific. This helps you drill down from “air travel is annoying” to “I paid $17 for a sandwich in an airport that smelled like Axe body spray and regret.”
✏️ Bonus challenge: Set a timer for 5 minutes. It adds pressure—and occasionally genius.
2. Write 10 Jokes About One Thing
Take any object, concept, or phrase, and write 10 jokes about it. Not 3. Not 5. Ten. Even if some of them suck (and they will), push through.
Example Prompt:
“Public bathrooms.” Now go.
Why it works:
This forces your brain to explore multiple angles—observational, absurd, satirical, self-deprecating. It’s like comedy CrossFit.
💡 Pro Tip: The first few will be obvious. The good ones often live in the second half.
3. Rewrite an Old Joke Three Different Ways
Take one of your current bits (especially one that’s “meh” or inconsistent), and write it three new ways. Change the wording. The setup. The point of view. Make it a one-liner. Turn it into a story. Flip the tone entirely.
Why it works:
Jokes are puzzles. This trains you to see multiple solutions, and it often reveals a stronger structure or surprise ending.
🔄 And yes—sometimes you’ll find a completely new punchline you didn’t know existed.
4. Use a News Headline as a Setup
Open a news site (or grab a weird one from Florida—Florida is undefeated). Use the headline as your setup and write 1–3 punchlines.
Example:
“Man Tries to Rob Waffle House with a VCR”
Punchline 1: "Finally, a reason to dust off my Blockbuster card."
Punchline 2: "That’s not what they meant by 'tape delay.'"
Punchline 3: "He demanded syrup, not surveillance footage."
Why it works:
Topical jokes stretch your creative speed and connect you to the present moment. Even if they don’t end up in your act, they’re great for social media, late-night packets, or warming up your brain.
5. Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling (Then Find the Funny)
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Write whatever’s in your head. Rants. Raves. Regrets. Don’t try to be funny. Then go back and highlight the moments that make you laugh—or squirm. That’s your start.
Why it works:
This helps you uncover authentic material rooted in your actual life—your voice, not a formula. It’s also a low-pressure way to break writer’s block and sneak up on good ideas.
✨ You can’t always outwrite the blank page, but you can outwait it.
Final Thought: Funny Isn’t Always Immediate
Writing comedy isn’t about being funny on command—it’s about building habits that make it easier to find the funny. These exercises don’t guarantee a killer set, but they will help keep your brain warmed up and your perspective sharp.
Even if your jokes are trash today, hey—at least you’re showing up. And in comedy, showing up consistently beats waiting for genius every time.
Speaking of showing up…open mics are a great place to get into the writing mindset.
The Importance Of Open Mics In A Comedian's Journey to Success
Enjoy these resources on writing and generating ideas:
The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus (this author has additional books on comedy writing)
The Comedy Bible by Judy Carter (This author also offers a workbook)
Written by
Plauzzable