When I started writing my novel Beyond December, I realized it was going to tackle some serious themes. Themes like trust (of both God and humans), infidelity, divorce, and mental illness. Add in (ominous chords here) DEATH and it sounds like just a great joyride, eh?
Well, actually it is in the end. But to reach that end, I needed to find ways to insert laughter and beauty. Without that, I risked losing my readers to the initially downward slope of main character Zak Cooper’s story. Or, as Mary Poppins would sing, I needed to provide “a spoonful of sugar” to help the medicine of my story go down.
Fortunately, finding humor in the darkest parts of the day is one of my spiritual gifts. I believe you’d call it Encouragement. Much of the humor/beauty happens in scenes that feature two vital supporting characters, Jenny Miller and Mick Sharp. Jenny is Zak’s potential love interest and Mick is his best friend and the brother of Zak’s deceased wife, Kay.
Love and Humor
In this scene, Jenny is fleeing a damaged marriage to Jonas. She had only been in town a week or so. Then, she was conned into attending a local dance. She is dreading the evening. As she sits at the table trying to disappear into the background, the house band begins a version of the Robert Palmer song, “Addicted to Love.”
Without thinking, she stands—the better to move with the beat, of course. Oops. What are you going to do now, Jenny?
Yolanda reached for her purse. “I’m going for a Coke, Jen. Can I call you Jen?”
“Sure, that’s what Jonas always … Yes, Jen is fine.”
Yolanda gave her a look she couldn’t quite decipher. “Dave, of course, is off in a corner somewhere talking about this or that theological issue. People always want to debate the pastor—as if he knows it all. I could write a book about what he doesn’t know. You want anything?”
“Not just yet, but thank you.”
“All righty, then, I’ll be back shortly.” She patted Jenny’s hand. “You’ll be fine.”
Jenny nodded, disturbed that she was so transparent. She checked her watch and counted the minutes until she could gracefully exit. Just as her energy level reached deflated balloon status, the band kicked into a slamming version of Addicted to Love. She had to at least stand.
As soon as she did, every unmarried male in the room turned her way and several edged closer. What had she been thinking?
Needing a rescue, she looked down at the table next to her where a junior high boy sat with his girl. They were busy pretending they weren’t interested in each other and Jenny, emboldened by her predicament, spotted her chance.
“Wanna dance?” She grabbed the boy’s hand, amused at the “I’m a Winner” gleam that flashed in his eyes.
“Uh, sure.” He glanced at the girl before stumbling out of his seat. “Yeah.”
Jenny winked at the girl, but the glare she received in return could have cut diamonds.
As the hounds backed off, Jenny sighed and began enjoying the dance—even though her partner was obviously executing his first dance steps. Glad I’m not wearing sandals.
“My name’s Jenny.” She waited for her partner to introduce himself, but he appeared stupefied.
“Jenny,” he repeated.
She waited for him to say more, then decided he was old enough to learn a few social niceties. “What’s your name?”
“I’m, um … I’m, um …”
“Imum?” Jenny smiled. “That’s unusual.”
“No. No. I’m, um, Gary. Gary Ca-Carlisle.”
“And what do you do, Gary Carlisle, when you’re not in school?”
“I’m, um, a copy boy at The Gazette—and a paper boy too.” His shoe smashed her toes—again.
She tried to hide her wince. Her poor feet deserved better, after standing on them all day. “Sounds busy.”
“You’re gorgeous.” A red flush rose all the way up into the roots of his sandy brown hair. “Did I say that out loud?”
Jenny tweaked his cheek. “Yes, you did, buster. Thank you for the compliment and the dance.” She executed a shaky little curtsy and nodded toward his table. “You better go make up with your friend.”
The jilted girl bore holes into Gary’s back with her eyes.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He glanced over his shoulder and stepped back. “Thanks, Jenny.”
“Gary?” She motioned him back to her side. “I’m going to get a drink. Maybe you should buy your friend a Coke or something. Girls like it when you surprise them.”
He nodded, winked, turned, and tripped over his feet, then fell flat on his face. The girl rushed to his side.
Well, that will do as well.
After that, Jenny’s night gets worse—and better—when she and Zak “meet cute.” This scene, this spoonful of sugar, gave her the chance to take control of the situation. It prepared her for what is coming.
Plus, it gives the reader something fun to hold onto.
Humor can pave the way to understanding. Silent film star Charlie Chaplin once said (wait, is it disingenuous to quote a silent film star? I guess not):
“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it.”
As a person who sometimes must endure depression, I can relate to that quote.
Deepen It
“He will fill your mouth with laughter;
your lips will spill over into cries of delight.” Job 8:21
The Voice
Respond
- When has humor helped you in a tight spot?
Michael Ehret loves to play with words. He is the author of the novella “Big Love” and the new novel, “Beyond December.” He is enjoying his current playground. Previous playgrounds include being the Managing Editor of the magazine ACFW Journal and the ezine Afictionado for seven years. He also plays with words as a freelance editor and has edited several nonfiction books, proofedited for Abingdon Press, worked in corporate communications, and reported for The Indianapolis Star.
Writing On The Fine Line 
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