A guy walks into a bar . . . With this guide, aspiring comics will learn to navigate the complex world of comedy writing. Aspiring comics discover how to tap into their natural sense of humor through real-life examples and hands-on skill-building exercises. They’ll learn the best ways to come up with ideas and write comedy that gets laughs—every time! Mike Bent, an accomplished stand-up comedian and teacher, provides readers with the inside scoop on techniques to jump-start their comedy writing careers, including how to: Develop comic characters for sketches and scenes Create and polish a standup routine Write for TV and movies Use the web to advance comedy careers Everyone loves a comedian. But breaking into this tough field is no laughing matter. After sharpening their comedy-writing skills with this practical (and funny!) guide, readers will feel comfortable adding humor to everyday situations, and may even take a chance on a dream job in show business!