What are words worth? My take on the Gervais special
‘Supernature’ opened with an announcement that Ricky Gervais is a ‘man who doesn’t need to do this’. And I wish he hadn’t.
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Stand-up
2020: That was the year that was
Mo Fanning looks back at 2020 – a year of reading, writing and anything but the bloody pandemic. Take a moment to join him.
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Christmas – Things can only get better … surely?
Remember 2019? The worst year ever. Putting politics to one side, it was one of those years that took away too many beloved famous faces. On 31 December 2019, many breathed a sigh of relief and looked forward to something better.
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Writing: it’s my job to point things out
A frequently quoted ‘rule’ for writing is to write something every day. No matter if it’s good. No matter if it’s bad. Set yourself a window – anything from ten minutes to every waking moment – and sit in front of a screen or an empty piece of paper and write. The idea being if
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The art of doing two things at once
In which I admit I’m not able to do two things at once. Something’s got to give. And I’m afraid that has to be the stand-up.
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Getting choppy with standup
Mr Fanning picked up my set and put on his ‘let me show you how it’s done‘ face. He started to read and within seconds I was shouting out. He was adding words here and there. Doing the thing my comedy teacher warned against.
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That was the year that was
Around about this time last year, I decided to scratch a personal itch – and that does indeed sound like something best discussed with a doctor. 2018 was to be different. It would be my year of saying yes. I reckoned without my Valentine’s Day discovery. Chances are, I’m not the first to find something untoward
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A new addiction
My emotions veered from sheer frustration through to the joy of nailing a performance – when the audience laughed (and at one point applauded a joke), I was stunned. I’ve asked those who came to support me and they confirmed what I already knew – I started out ropey, but found my feet and didn’t disgrace myself.
My latest excuse for not writing
One of the first things I learned when I started to write remains the most effective. When done with a draft, put it away. Lay down your words to rest for at least a month. Two if you can. Three is better.
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Learning to write again – the world of standup comedy
It took years to reach a point where I believe my writing reflects ‘my voice’. There is a rhythm, and the words flow in a certain way. An attitude lives on the page. It wasn’t always so. I’ve made all the rookie mistakes … joined peer groups and reacted to each and every suggestion (writing
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