Hello Darkness, My Old Friend
The Belladonna’s come to talk to you again… in this week’s newsletter! Woohoo!
Let’s manufacture some enthusiasm even though the sun sets at 4:30PM and get into it:
PIPELINE WORKSHOP #2: Trans and GNC Emerging Writers
The Pipeline is a series of one-night workshops and events created by the editors of The Belladonna, designed to widen the pipeline of underrepresented writers of short-form humor and satire. Each workshop will be open to and designed for a specific community of historically underrepresented writers and taught by a leading writer in that space.
Our 2nd workshop will be taught by former Belladonna managing editor and all-around wonderful person Allie Rubin! Allie (they/them) is a writer and comedian who lives in LA. They’re currently a writer for Jackbox Games and a former Managing Editor of The Belladonna, and their work has been published in McSweeney’s, The Onion, Reductress, and more. Allie loves butter and their cat, Meryl. Check out their website at https://www.allie-rubin.com/ or follow them on Twitter at @a_rubin.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORKSHOP HERE. It’s filling up VERY quickly, so get your name in ASAP to reserve your spot!
LAST WEEK ON THE BELLADONNA
Excerpts From “Frog and Toad are Doing Their Best” by Jennie Egerdie
“Because, these days, adults need bedtime stories too.”
I’m Mother Nature, And I’m Not Mad, I’m Just Disappointed by Siena Streiber
“I brought you into this world, and I can take you right back out!”
Will You Rate Your Recent Exchange with a Redhead? by K.E. Flann
“Please share your thoughts!”
Journal Entries From A Racially Ambiguous Woman by Kari GE Johnson
“I love being described as ‘exotic.’ It makes me feel like a rare zoo animal!”
Vacation Tips For Women Traveling Solo That Are Also Super Helpful To The Police If You Get Murdered by Jenny Crowley
“Always leave an incredibly comprehensive trail of evidence to help authorities solve your murder in the event someone slays you!”
Another Gut-Punch Round-Up Of Parental Leave Stats From Around The World by Janelle Bassett
“Locals always check their galoshes for healthy, thriving babies before going out into the rain.”
I Am the Woman Who Comments “Divine.” On Every Single Internet Recipe by Caroline Cotter
“My greatest thrill comes from firing up Internet Explorer on my 2006 MacBook and navigating to one of ‘The Big Three’ recipe sites.”
We, Cyberdyne Systems, Are Changing Our Name In The Hope It Will Make Everyone Forget How We Almost Destroyed Humanity by Bryn Snyder
“We could change our ways, but instead we’re working with a marketing agency to pursue a light brand refresh!”
EDITORS EXPLAIN: “Angry Anger” vs. “Satire Anger”
Satire is a great place to voice frustrations. Through humor, we can laugh at our problems and make them feel a little bit more bearable. But we must remember to still have fun when we’re making fun of something! This keeps the work feeling creative and funny, rather than feeling like 700-ish words of venting.
Laughter helps us release tension, so keeping it funny lets us feel better about what’s upsetting us — for both the reader and the writer. You can tell when the writer’s pissed off, but are still having fun with it. It makes a huge difference!
Pieces that are aggressive in tone usually work because the aggression is part of the humor, like a silly character POV in It’s Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers. If you’re trying to change someone’s mind with your satire, coming at it in a combative way might make them put their guard up. But coming at it with humor gives them a chance to consider what you’re saying. You’re more likely to change their mind!
So find the joy in what you hate, and remember the #1 rule of doing anything (especially humor), just have fun with it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Follow The Belladonna on Twitter and Instagram!
And if you’ve been published in The Belladonna before, you can join our Slack Writers’ Room — just email us at thebelladonnacomedy@gmail.com and we’ll add you!
Thanks for reading, and keep being your amazing selves!
— The Belladonna Editors
(Brooke, Fiona, Ashley, Emily, Alice, Heidi, and Kristen)
