Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
π£οΈ π± How a free transcription voice recorder is helping me write jokes (about pissing myself).
Hi funny people,
How's yer day? If you are feeling big things with the news these days, I hope you take moments of rest for you. I took some time and I peed a little playing the most low key bit of basketball with friends, so... yeah. It might not go how you want, but breaks are good, even if you have to do more laundry.
Anyhow, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday for our joke feedback session.
I've not been writing much myself for a while now. I would get going on little stints of journaling or writing jokes, but had trouble keeping up with it regularly.
I have started to voice record my thoughts as a way to make my writing process fit my life a bit better.
I have a Google Pixel 4a as a phone, and the recorder app that comes on it converts your voice notes into a transcription. I then send the .txt file to Obsidian and am able to review and edit my thoughts.
I'm finding this to be a lower barrier approach than writing in my notebook and am slowly getting into the habit of capturing more ideas and stories.
If you don't have an app on your phone that does this, there are paid apps out there and free ones that might meet your needs. Consider that cloud apps don't always have the greatest privacy when deciding what notes to take with them.
For the record, Obsidian is a free notetaking tool that let's you link your notes together. It has a sort of feverish cult following in the world of productivity Youtube videos (which, sadly, are my Kryptonite). You can download on to your laptop or phone. If you want the two to sync, you pay $10USD/month.
I'm clearly not paid to mention these tools. They are just what I have found to work for me so far (and sharing this information makes me feel less bad about the horrific number of hours I have spent looking up productivity apps instead of writing).
I love the aesthetic of sitting in a coffee shop and writing in a notebook with a favourite pen, but this process is helping kickstart my writing, so I'm going with it.
This might not be the process for you, but hopefully it is a reminder to be open to different ways of working if you feel stuck.
Want to share your writing with us?
Next Workshop
We will see you tomorrow, Saturday October 28th 10:00 AM PST, on Zoom for our informal joke writing meetup. You can come even if you don't have goals or jokes you are actively working on, you can join in and give feedback to others. Can't make this one? Next one is on November 11th, so mark your calendar.
Stay funny and see you tomorrow!
Em
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Em Cooper
Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
Hi funny people, Our last Cathartic Laughs session will be tomorrow, Saturday Dec 9th. Over the past few years we have gathered every other week to swap jokes, give constructive feedback and share updates on what life is throwing at us. I have a massive amount of appreciation for everyone who has joined in. Special appreciation goes to Adora Nwofor, who set the tone of these sessions with her love of comedy, open approach to facilitation and willingness to address challenging issues. These...
Hi funny people, I finally listened to the audiobook version of Anne Lamott's classic book on writing called Bird by Bird via Libby! It was recommended highly by Mike Birbiglia on his podcast and he is right, it's a real gift. The book is more personal than many books on writing. Anne is funny and takes detours between helpful tips while she explains exactly what the neurotic, self-doubting voices in her head are saying while she tries to sit and write. Those voices in your head can get in...
Hi funny people, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival wrapped up earlier this month and has already shared its 2024 gala themes. Canadian comedians writing jokes for Winnipeg application. Five of the following six themes will be filmed and you can submit more than once. Below are shortened writeups on the themes because it's great to have them in your head in advance if you plan to apply. YOUR NEXT ACT The transitions show. Material about different phases of life, big changes, upheavals, milestones,...