Gy Waldron's Blog
December 3, 2015
Funny Isn't Easy
Humor is the flavor of all writing, and there’s a lot of great comedy out there. Collectively, there are enough funny movies, television programs, books, and live performances in which to engage for a year straight and still have plenty more to enjoy. What dumbfounds me is the talent it takes to write quality comedy; this is an elite group we’re talking about.
I had the pleasure of working with Norman Lear, the genius behind All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, and other television hits. He had a writing team that could write “funny” in their sleep. I was fascinated and awestruck by them. Now, for the sake of fairness, I could write some funny stuff from time-to-time, but nothing touched what they could do.
Lear’s teams had been writing together for decades. They wrote for Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball…everybody who was anybody in comedy. You’d be hard pressed to sit in a room with these guys and not cry from laughter.
One time in particular, they pulled a fast one on a producer who was working for Gleason. After putting in a full day, the guy wanted to see the writers’ pages for their next piece within a couple of hours. The team needed more time and – being the innovators they were – found it by pulling a prank. With the added element of this guy being a jerk, they had no qualms about concocting a brilliant solution to getting him off their backs and buying more writing time.
The team set-up a recording of a typewriter inside their office closet to make it seem like they’d already written material. When the producer would go to their office the writers pointed to the door and said, “The secretary’s got the first ten pages.” The sound of the typewriter tip tapping away pacified him. “When she’s finished, we’ll get it to you,” they’d say, and off he’d go.
They thought of doing the same thing to me when I was struggling to keep-up with them and they knew I was scared out of my mind. I was supposed to write the first part of a script and they were to write the second part. They were in the next office over. I could hear them laughing and carrying on.
I was sitting in my office, slightly tortured by their talent and insecure about my own. I timidly went in to show them my work, and I’ll be damned, they found that I had a funny line.
They said, “Hey, Gy. This is funny. A classy joke. We love classy jokes.” The problem was, I had one ‘classy joke’ in 15 pages; the rest were just funny. Big difference.
It’s the same pressure as saying to someone, “Say something funny. Make me laugh…now!” This is no easy feat, being put on the spot to be funny.
Comedy changes everything. It doesn’t matter what you write, whether it’s a thriller, drama, or horror film, the writer can always add humor to get their audience going. As I wrote my first two novels, I realized that while there is no such thing as a funny crime scene, something can happen in the crime scene that is funny.
When George Seaton visited the great actor Edmund Gwenn who lay dying, he sympathetically said, “This must be terribly difficult for you.” Gwenn is reputed to have said, “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.”
Tell me, what makes you laugh?
–Gy
I had the pleasure of working with Norman Lear, the genius behind All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, and other television hits. He had a writing team that could write “funny” in their sleep. I was fascinated and awestruck by them. Now, for the sake of fairness, I could write some funny stuff from time-to-time, but nothing touched what they could do.
Lear’s teams had been writing together for decades. They wrote for Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball…everybody who was anybody in comedy. You’d be hard pressed to sit in a room with these guys and not cry from laughter.
One time in particular, they pulled a fast one on a producer who was working for Gleason. After putting in a full day, the guy wanted to see the writers’ pages for their next piece within a couple of hours. The team needed more time and – being the innovators they were – found it by pulling a prank. With the added element of this guy being a jerk, they had no qualms about concocting a brilliant solution to getting him off their backs and buying more writing time.
The team set-up a recording of a typewriter inside their office closet to make it seem like they’d already written material. When the producer would go to their office the writers pointed to the door and said, “The secretary’s got the first ten pages.” The sound of the typewriter tip tapping away pacified him. “When she’s finished, we’ll get it to you,” they’d say, and off he’d go.
They thought of doing the same thing to me when I was struggling to keep-up with them and they knew I was scared out of my mind. I was supposed to write the first part of a script and they were to write the second part. They were in the next office over. I could hear them laughing and carrying on.
I was sitting in my office, slightly tortured by their talent and insecure about my own. I timidly went in to show them my work, and I’ll be damned, they found that I had a funny line.
They said, “Hey, Gy. This is funny. A classy joke. We love classy jokes.” The problem was, I had one ‘classy joke’ in 15 pages; the rest were just funny. Big difference.
It’s the same pressure as saying to someone, “Say something funny. Make me laugh…now!” This is no easy feat, being put on the spot to be funny.
Comedy changes everything. It doesn’t matter what you write, whether it’s a thriller, drama, or horror film, the writer can always add humor to get their audience going. As I wrote my first two novels, I realized that while there is no such thing as a funny crime scene, something can happen in the crime scene that is funny.
When George Seaton visited the great actor Edmund Gwenn who lay dying, he sympathetically said, “This must be terribly difficult for you.” Gwenn is reputed to have said, “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.”
Tell me, what makes you laugh?
–Gy
Every Character Matters
I began my writing career in journalism as an investigative reporter. Eventually, I wrote one-act plays, and the transition from journalism to playwriting wasn’t as bumpy as you might think. From there, I moved into television.
Of all the television work I undertook, miniseries were my favorite to write. They have a defined beginning, middle and end. They’re steadily fast paced and culminate swiftly. There’s no time to waste. While there was more to my television career, it was predominately replete with writing, and I liked that a lot.
Shortly after my last television job, before I had a chance to know it was happening, I found myself writing my first novel. It didn’t occur to me to write a book, until it did, and the transition was seamless
Miniseries gather momentum and I enjoy the swiftness with which we get to know characters, so I chose to write novels this way. By the time you’ve finished the second chapter, you know who everyone is; they all have a purpose for being there, and everyone – even the thugs – have at least a little good in them.
In “Fugue,” my second and latest novel, every chapter is laid out like a piece of music. There’s a rhythm to the paragraphs that echoes the structure of classical composition. My background in music helped this along, but a lot of it was luck. It felt easy, which is a blessing because most of my writing is more an act of sprezzatura, or effortful nonchalance—difficult and challenging with the appearance of simplicity and ease.
Now that I’m well into my third novel, a stylistic pattern is well under way, in that I operate on two levels: Every book I write has an element of mystery, and there is something to learn. I write what I know (borrowing from Twain), and find the subject interesting. I hope you do, too.
–Gy
Of all the television work I undertook, miniseries were my favorite to write. They have a defined beginning, middle and end. They’re steadily fast paced and culminate swiftly. There’s no time to waste. While there was more to my television career, it was predominately replete with writing, and I liked that a lot.
Shortly after my last television job, before I had a chance to know it was happening, I found myself writing my first novel. It didn’t occur to me to write a book, until it did, and the transition was seamless
Miniseries gather momentum and I enjoy the swiftness with which we get to know characters, so I chose to write novels this way. By the time you’ve finished the second chapter, you know who everyone is; they all have a purpose for being there, and everyone – even the thugs – have at least a little good in them.
In “Fugue,” my second and latest novel, every chapter is laid out like a piece of music. There’s a rhythm to the paragraphs that echoes the structure of classical composition. My background in music helped this along, but a lot of it was luck. It felt easy, which is a blessing because most of my writing is more an act of sprezzatura, or effortful nonchalance—difficult and challenging with the appearance of simplicity and ease.
Now that I’m well into my third novel, a stylistic pattern is well under way, in that I operate on two levels: Every book I write has an element of mystery, and there is something to learn. I write what I know (borrowing from Twain), and find the subject interesting. I hope you do, too.
–Gy
The General Lee
My grandfather, Franklin, of whom Uncle Jesse was based said, “Never debate with one whom you must first educate; you’ll both lose.”
The discussion about the Confederate flag is impassioned and acrimonious, and I don’t want to heighten the tension or offend, defend, preach or justify.
Growing up in the South, I had an experience with the Confederate flag that perhaps those who reside outside the South may not understand. Family, friends, neighbors and local business owners had no attachment to racism or white supremacy, but many – most – did fly the flag from their porches. Seeing the flag flying was ordinary and uneventful yet seeped in culture. It represented not slavery nor racism, but Southern heritage—much like sweet tea, cobbler, playing country music on the back porch, or multiple dialects. It was unique to its setting, found almost everywhere, and most definitely not a symbol of racism.
To have it placed on the roof of the General Lee was not politically profound; it defined the culture of Hazzard County, which had nothing to do with racial superiority. And while “Southern lifestyle” is entangled with controversial definitions, the one referred to here crosses racial lines—I shared this experience with black and white friends throughout my lifetime.
My family history is entangled; two brothers fought on opposite sides of the Civil War and my great, great grandfather, Anthony McGill, owned slaves. One year before the war started, McGill became a Baptist Abolitionist, and as such, no longer had slaves under the dictates of his faith. Two of the then former slaves moved north, while another two, a couple, chose to stay on the plantation with McGill. They were sharecroppers, the first in the county, and were buried in our family graveyard after a long life of farming with my family. Generations later, we were active in the Civil Rights movement.
None of this is to mark my place with a particular opinion. I’m laying out my experience, not for an expiation of wrong-doing, because I am not a racist; it is merely to establish discourse and personal clarity. I hope you’ll join me in conversation and help deepen my understanding of all angles and thoughts on the matter.
–Gy
The discussion about the Confederate flag is impassioned and acrimonious, and I don’t want to heighten the tension or offend, defend, preach or justify.
Growing up in the South, I had an experience with the Confederate flag that perhaps those who reside outside the South may not understand. Family, friends, neighbors and local business owners had no attachment to racism or white supremacy, but many – most – did fly the flag from their porches. Seeing the flag flying was ordinary and uneventful yet seeped in culture. It represented not slavery nor racism, but Southern heritage—much like sweet tea, cobbler, playing country music on the back porch, or multiple dialects. It was unique to its setting, found almost everywhere, and most definitely not a symbol of racism.
To have it placed on the roof of the General Lee was not politically profound; it defined the culture of Hazzard County, which had nothing to do with racial superiority. And while “Southern lifestyle” is entangled with controversial definitions, the one referred to here crosses racial lines—I shared this experience with black and white friends throughout my lifetime.
My family history is entangled; two brothers fought on opposite sides of the Civil War and my great, great grandfather, Anthony McGill, owned slaves. One year before the war started, McGill became a Baptist Abolitionist, and as such, no longer had slaves under the dictates of his faith. Two of the then former slaves moved north, while another two, a couple, chose to stay on the plantation with McGill. They were sharecroppers, the first in the county, and were buried in our family graveyard after a long life of farming with my family. Generations later, we were active in the Civil Rights movement.
None of this is to mark my place with a particular opinion. I’m laying out my experience, not for an expiation of wrong-doing, because I am not a racist; it is merely to establish discourse and personal clarity. I hope you’ll join me in conversation and help deepen my understanding of all angles and thoughts on the matter.
–Gy
May 16, 2014
The Coolest Interview Ever
Hey All,
I wanted to share an experience with you. As the creator of Dukes of Hazzard, I have been extremely blessed to be a part of its popularity. On occasion, I am approached for interviews regarding the show, its cast, and often, about the General Lee itself. This interview idea was different, so I couldn't pass up.
If you have a few minutes, go watch it.
http://youtu.be/WI2pI5ApcSE
And of course, being the world's worst self promoter, I never even mentioned that I am writing novels now. (Sorry son:)
Enjoy.
Blessings,
Gy
I wanted to share an experience with you. As the creator of Dukes of Hazzard, I have been extremely blessed to be a part of its popularity. On occasion, I am approached for interviews regarding the show, its cast, and often, about the General Lee itself. This interview idea was different, so I couldn't pass up.
If you have a few minutes, go watch it.
http://youtu.be/WI2pI5ApcSE
And of course, being the world's worst self promoter, I never even mentioned that I am writing novels now. (Sorry son:)
Enjoy.
Blessings,
Gy
April 28, 2014
Character Development
Hey All,
Being a new arrival to the writing for novels scene, I'm curious as to how you authors (and readers for that matter) approach character development? As a longtime writer in TV and film, I had a limited amount of time to introduce the characters and propel them headlong into the story. With novels, obviously, the sky's the limit.
I recently had a great conversation with Goodreads author Frances Brown regarding characters' backstory placement. (Thank you Frances for your great insights!)
How do you authors and readers prefer to introduce/meet new characters at the beginning of a book? Inquiring "author's mind" wants to know.
Best,
Gy
Being a new arrival to the writing for novels scene, I'm curious as to how you authors (and readers for that matter) approach character development? As a longtime writer in TV and film, I had a limited amount of time to introduce the characters and propel them headlong into the story. With novels, obviously, the sky's the limit.
I recently had a great conversation with Goodreads author Frances Brown regarding characters' backstory placement. (Thank you Frances for your great insights!)
How do you authors and readers prefer to introduce/meet new characters at the beginning of a book? Inquiring "author's mind" wants to know.
Best,
Gy
April 18, 2014
He Lives!!
Hey Goodreaders -
I'm back to Goodreads after several months of nose down, fingers worn to the bone work at the computer writing my next novel, Fugue. It's about to go to proof reading, so I thought I'd take a moment and catch up with folks. Hope everyone is doing great.
Do I have any takers to be a beta reader for me? I need some folks to read the new manuscript and give me some feedback/thoughts/. Let me know if you are interested.
Blessings to all on this Easter weekend.
Peace,
Gy
I'm back to Goodreads after several months of nose down, fingers worn to the bone work at the computer writing my next novel, Fugue. It's about to go to proof reading, so I thought I'd take a moment and catch up with folks. Hope everyone is doing great.
Do I have any takers to be a beta reader for me? I need some folks to read the new manuscript and give me some feedback/thoughts/. Let me know if you are interested.
Blessings to all on this Easter weekend.
Peace,
Gy
August 20, 2013
e-Book Giveaway
Hello Goodreaders -
I hope this evening finds you all well and in the mood to read. I want to offer my friends an opportunity to read "Twist of Time" for free (e-book only). If you message me back and let me know you are interested - I'll make sure you get an e-book.
All I ask is that you give me your review of the book when you are finished. Good, bad, indifferent, or other (God forbid :) - I just want some reviews of the book and I'd love to trade a free e-copy of the book for your thoughts.
This offer stands until I decide to end it, so please reach out to me and let's connect.
Oh, and if you like the book and want to recommend it to your friends - that wouldn't break my heart :)
Blessings,
Gy
I hope this evening finds you all well and in the mood to read. I want to offer my friends an opportunity to read "Twist of Time" for free (e-book only). If you message me back and let me know you are interested - I'll make sure you get an e-book.
All I ask is that you give me your review of the book when you are finished. Good, bad, indifferent, or other (God forbid :) - I just want some reviews of the book and I'd love to trade a free e-copy of the book for your thoughts.
This offer stands until I decide to end it, so please reach out to me and let's connect.
Oh, and if you like the book and want to recommend it to your friends - that wouldn't break my heart :)
Blessings,
Gy
May 30, 2013
New Friends on Goodreads
Hello New Friends,
Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I look forward to keeping in touch with you all in some way or another.
I am in the process of trying to figure out how to get the word out about my book. One thing I've been considering is sending a free copy of Twist of Time to my friends here to read in exchange for a review.
Not sure how to do that yet - and I don't want to do something wrong or not allowed on Goodreads. I do think it will probably be an e-version, but stay tuned and I'll be back in touch soon.
If anyone has experience doing this, please feel free to reach out to me with advice. I'm always open to benefiting from others' experiences.
Thanks so much.
Blessings,
Gy :)
Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I look forward to keeping in touch with you all in some way or another.
I am in the process of trying to figure out how to get the word out about my book. One thing I've been considering is sending a free copy of Twist of Time to my friends here to read in exchange for a review.
Not sure how to do that yet - and I don't want to do something wrong or not allowed on Goodreads. I do think it will probably be an e-version, but stay tuned and I'll be back in touch soon.
If anyone has experience doing this, please feel free to reach out to me with advice. I'm always open to benefiting from others' experiences.
Thanks so much.
Blessings,
Gy :)
April 3, 2013
Forgive my mistakes :)
Hello Goodreaders -
I'm just getting the hang of this goodreads thing, and if I seem a bit green - I'm as green as the hills of Kentucky! Like most authors, I'm a writer who doesn't know much outside of what I'm currently working on at any given moment. I'm dead between the ears as to what is going on outside my comfy confines of character exploration and plot twist.
If I reach out to you with questions, I promise I'm not giving you a sales pitch. I'm trying to learn the "do" and "don't" rules of the road here. That's all.
I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed reading reviews of goodreaders here. Your honest attention to description regarding your likes and dislikes is truly what makes this site such a wonderful place to gather for authors and readers alike. As an author, I thank you all for taking the time to review our works.
I spent 30 years of my life writing for a different medium. And for all my hits and (mostly) misses, I had a great time telling stories for the "screens." Now I'm in love with the freedom that comes from telling stories on the written page - no network or studio budgets, no personalities to "mesh with" and no completely ridiculous deadlines to meet.
Life is good - and so are you for listening to an old dog sing an even older song.
Peace be with you all.
Kind regards,
Gy.
I'm just getting the hang of this goodreads thing, and if I seem a bit green - I'm as green as the hills of Kentucky! Like most authors, I'm a writer who doesn't know much outside of what I'm currently working on at any given moment. I'm dead between the ears as to what is going on outside my comfy confines of character exploration and plot twist.
If I reach out to you with questions, I promise I'm not giving you a sales pitch. I'm trying to learn the "do" and "don't" rules of the road here. That's all.
I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed reading reviews of goodreaders here. Your honest attention to description regarding your likes and dislikes is truly what makes this site such a wonderful place to gather for authors and readers alike. As an author, I thank you all for taking the time to review our works.
I spent 30 years of my life writing for a different medium. And for all my hits and (mostly) misses, I had a great time telling stories for the "screens." Now I'm in love with the freedom that comes from telling stories on the written page - no network or studio budgets, no personalities to "mesh with" and no completely ridiculous deadlines to meet.
Life is good - and so are you for listening to an old dog sing an even older song.
Peace be with you all.
Kind regards,
Gy.
February 22, 2013
Greetings "Goodreaders"
Hello,
I must say it is a pleasure to be a part of the Goodreads community! I look forward to connecting with other authors and readers and hope to get more involved with the Goodreads community as I learn my way around.
Take a look at my author's blog and see my latest post regarding Templar Knights - a prominent theme of my new romantic thriller "Twist of Time."
I'll see you all soon!
Best,
Gy
http://gywaldron.com/templar-combat-p...
I must say it is a pleasure to be a part of the Goodreads community! I look forward to connecting with other authors and readers and hope to get more involved with the Goodreads community as I learn my way around.
Take a look at my author's blog and see my latest post regarding Templar Knights - a prominent theme of my new romantic thriller "Twist of Time."
I'll see you all soon!
Best,
Gy
http://gywaldron.com/templar-combat-p...
