Comedy Quote by John Irving
““But comedy is ingrained. A writer doesn't choose to be comic. You can choose a plot, or not to have one. You can choose your characters. But comedy is not a choice; it just comes out that way.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1995
Comedy emerges naturally from a writer's voice and perspective, not from deliberate choice of plot or characters.
In simple terms: Comedy comes from the writer's natural voice.
Trust your voice for humor.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- scriptwriting
- stand‑up comedy
- novel drafting
- improvisation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your personal voice shape humor?
- When does humor enhance a story?
Attempting forced comedy can feel inauthentic.