New Beginnings

Why have I chosen to pursue a career in stand up comedy and as a fiction writer?

It's not the kind of question anyone who knows me would ask. Not that they may not want to know. I just have a history of trying things on a whim. So there may be some who think this is a passing fad, while there are just as many cheering me on in anything I want to try. In the end time will tell. This blog is not so much to entertain, as it is to keep me thinking and writing so that I will have a better shot at both. So at least the way I see it, just writing here is just one step closer to success.

I'll attack this in halves starting with stand up comedy. I've been reading advice from a couple Binghamton, NY comedians who have been working at it for 4 to 5 years. It was some of what they said that prompted me to write this. They've done groundwork so guys like me would have an easier time starting, so I listen to what they have to say.

I've never been charismatic or the popular kid. There was never anyone telling me I was funny and should do stand up. Nor do I have any illusions about becoming rich and famous. Which I guess covers the main “wrong reasons” to get into comedy. What happened was while I was in Florida for three months, I really wanted a creative outlet. I had never really had anything that was truly mine. I was better at destroying things than creating them. When I returned to Ithaca I tried the open mic at Pixel Lounge. I bombed right out of the gate. Not once. Not twice, but three times in a row. Each time I stepped off the stage I felt a drive to do better the next time. As short as the time was on stage, with me bumbling over what I had prepared, it was fun. What few laughs I had gotten, were mine. That in itself was more than enough for me to seriously set my sights on comedy as a career. It also doesn't hurt that I don't feel the need to be drunk to be funny. When I go to open mic, I have my two drinks to show the bar my appreciation for supporting the event, then I'm done. I want my failures to be mine, not my blood alcohol content. I can't expect to get anywhere if I can't feel myself stumble over my own words.

Despite only having a handful of open mics under my belt, I have improved and continue to work at improving further. More of my friends have started dropping by as I have improved. Eventually I received my favorite comments, “Why aren't you this funny when we hang out?” Which I guess is just added proof that no one thought I should ever be a comedian. My desire to fight my own nerves and become more comfortable on stage, possibly better evidence that I belong there.

Writing was a whole other ball game for me, though is really in the same ballpark as far what I am looking to accomplish. I spend a lot of time writing comedy, so putting together something longer, of a different genre, is just more skill building for me. Once again though, except for one person, I was never encouraged to write. In fact I, due to a number of influences over my childhood, had been convinced that I could never become one. It would take until age forty-two when I would finally cut myself loose from imagined chains.

Again I returned to Ithaca with this desire to create. Spend time with some talented kids, it'll do it to you. One of my friends in town is an author and has been self publishing a small zine. Every other month she puts together a small booklet dedicated to a specific genre. The day I find out about this I also discover that the next issue is horror. After expressing interest I was told to put together a short story and if there was room it would be included. I manged to crank out two in short order. Both were included, thus documenting my entry into the world of fiction. So much for not being able to write.

So why become a writer and a stand up comedian? Because I have it in me to get somewhere with both even though it'll be a rough trip. I know it'll take me a while to get anywhere with either, but I am being realistic about it. I'm prepared to fail on a regular basis, because I know I need that to learn. Persistence, hard work, and educating myself will get me through. So far I have not missed the local stand up open mic. I've even burned through gas money to hit a couple out of town. My stories are written well before the deadlines. That's how you get started with anything. Focusing on the small steps and building to bigger and better things.