--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was very young, I didn't really…" description: "\"When I was very young, I didn't really write my own material. I just memorized other peoples' jokes. Established comics, like Stanley Myron Handelman a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/kevin-nealon-8834_comic_when-i-was-very-young-i-didn-t-really-wr_1484499.jpg" --- # When I was very young, I didn't really write my own… ![“When I was very young, I didn't really write my own material. I just memorized other peoples' jokes. Established comics, like Stanley Myron Handelman and people like that. And then, for every comic, you develop your own style after a while.” quote by Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/kevin-nealon-8834_comic_when-i-was-very-young-i-didn-t-really-wr_1484499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/kevin-nealon-8834_comic_when-i-was-very-young-i-didn-t-really-wr_1484499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/kevin-nealon-8834_comic_when-i-was-very-young-i-didn-t-really-wr_1484499.jpg) > “When I was very young, I didn't really write my own material. I just memorized other peoples' jokes. Established comics, like Stanley Myron Handelman and people like that. And then, for every comic, you develop your own style after a while.” [Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-nealon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early in his career he copied jokes, but over time he cultivated a unique comedic voice. **In simple terms:** He learned by mimicking others, then created his own style. Key Takeaway Develop your own style through practice and imitation. Themes comedy creativity growth Mood reflective inspired Type anecdotal motivational When to use this quote - open‑mic nights - writing workshops - collaborative shows Key Concepts imitation originality personal voice Questions to Reflect On - How did imitation shape your humor? - When did you feel your voice emerged? A Different Perspective Mimicry can limit originality if not followed by personal development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Whereas there are lots of good novels out there; there are a few good movies out there. 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Lovecraft for the dark gut-wrenching stuff, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-seibert/i-really-like-dating-stories-like-in-betty-and-veronica-comics-i-like/) [Fred Seibert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-seibert/) > [Reading books might itself be a bit weird, but obviously okay, since books were part of school, and doing well in school was clearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/reading-books-might-itself-be-a-bit-weird-but-obviously-okay-since/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) ## More by Kevin Nealon > [I learned how to draw from being bored in school. I would doodle on the margins of my paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-nealon/i-learned-how-to-draw-from-being-bored-in-school-i-would-doodle-on/) [Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-nealon/) > [I'd been doing some light-beer commercials for Budweiser and Coors, and I was doing stand-up comedy. 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