Hey! That's not funny.

[Jim]

Everyone loves a good laugh; which explains the popularity of joke books and funny fiction and non-fiction literature.

That said; an author must be very careful when writing what he/she may think is real funny stuff; especially when injecting a bit of humor into a tense or stressful situation.

One must always remember that what some readers may think is hilarious, others may interpret as an insult; especially when a story deals with a serious social, cultural, or religious theme.

Almost all religious texts - regardless of which religion - include some variation of "Treat others as you would like to be treated." Good advice; even if you don't happen to be religious yourself.

Rule of thumb: Before you write something that you think is funny, think about it for awhile. If there is the slightest doubt in your mind whether or not it may be offensive to someone, seek a third party's advice. Just make sure that the third party is not an insensitive idiot.

Some may say, "Hey! if you don't like it, you don't have to read it." This is true. But it is also true that talented, skillful writers can always find a way to accomplish their purpose without hurting anyone in the process. If you can't or won't, maybe it's time to consider a career change.

That is my opinion anyway. It certainly will not be the only opinion. It may not even be the correct one. So, let's hear yours.

[Sharon]

That's an interesting view on it. Treating others as you would like to be treated is good general life advice but I don't think it applies to creative expression.

To begin with it's just not possible to write something that's going to suit the tastes of everyone. Trying to do so is liable to drive a writer insane. Everyone has a different sense of humour and if you are attempting to please everyone you're setting yourself an impossible task.

It's my opinion that the main thing a writer should think about is being true to themselves. If you have a sense of humour that some may find 'offensive' I don't think you should shelf it just because it may come across as mean-spirited or shocking to some. Freedom of expression is important in the creative arts.

However if you're not sure about something you've written then by all means get a second opinion. If you are naturally a more serious writer and find it difficult to inject humour in to your work then my advice is don't do it. It will come across forced and may have the opposite of the intended effect. Write what feels right to you.

So that's my opinion. You can't please everyone so please yourself instead!

[L.L.]

I'm not even sure that it's possible for a writer to know what "might be considered offensive to someone else". Other than it covers almost everything you could write. In today's interconnected world your joke (or indeed your serious comment) could be read by anyone, from any background, anywhere. No matter how hard you try there will be a reader out there who finds something you've said offensive.

Of course you can minimise it. There are some comments, particularly jokes, which are targetedly offensive (by which I mean they deliberately mock a particular group of people) and I never want to read those. Then there are jokes about particular individuals which might be libellous, also clearly something to avoid. Jokes which no one but yourself finds amusing or which are niche in jokes are also poor form. Beyond that, I think a writer needs to be true to their own sense of humour.

[L.G.]

I don't think it's possible to write humour that doesn't potentially offend somebody. Part of this is due to the fact that we all have had different experiences (who knows, maybe jokes about toasters aren't funny to someone because they knew someone who got electrocuted to death by sticking their hand in a toaster or something) and because there are people out there who will be offended by even the most innocuous and inoffensive of statements.

Look at any comedian who has had any success around the world and I guarantee that if you look hard enough you'll find something that could offend somebody.

[Meri]

It is a sticky issue, certainly. Everyone interprets humor differently, and even the most innocent of jokes might prove offensive to some readers. Usually I figure that if it doesn't bother any of my beta readers, it is probably okay. In the end, though, I think it all comes down to how much the writer wants to avoid displeasing someone. I worry that by trying not to step on any toes, I might fail to have any humor element at all. Is it acceptable to ignore the sensibilities of a few readers in order to tickle the funny bone of others? I don't know, but that's the approach I tend to take. I, however, am by no means a people-pleaser type, so my thoughts on the matter may be skewed.

[A.L.]

I think obviously contraversial jokes are best avoided, racist, sexiest, etc but it is hard to know what people find offensive.