Comedy Writing Tip #2: How to Turn Awkward Silence Into Standing Ovations

The key to great standup isn�t just writing jokes�it�s surviving the moments when they don�t land. Here�s how: 1) **Embrace the Bomb**�when a joke flops, sigh and say, *"Wow, that joke worked great in my shower this morning."* 2) **Crowd Work 101**�if someone heckles, hit �em with, *"Sir, this isn�t a democracy; it�s a dictatorship, and I have the mic."* 3) **The Pause is Your Friend**�silence isn�t failure, it�s suspense. Stare at the audience like they�re the ones who messed up. 4) **Steal from Yourself**�your embarrassing childhood stories are public domain now. 5) **The Backup Plan**�always have a *"If this bit fails, I�ll pretend my fly�s down"* escape route. Pro Tip: If all else fails, blame the city�*"[City], you�re like a WiFi signal�strong in some spots, completely nonexistent in others."* Bonus line for your set: *"I tried online dating in [city]. My matches were either bots, ghosts, or my ex pretending to be a bot."* SOURCE: http://comedywriter.info