6. Not heightening enough - that is gold! I went back to the current piece I'm working on and realized I wasn't doing this. Thank you for this. This alone is worth the subscription!
This has been a really interesting lesson for me. I primarily write poetry, which is a form that is easy to be verbose BUT it also is a form of writing that has several mechanisms for tightening up. When I am writing a piece that isn't as direct as it needs to be, I try to re-write it in a stricter form (like a sonnet, where you only have 14 lines to bring the concept to life).
All that to say, that sometimes playing with the form of writing (poetry, prose, news article, etc) can be a fun and enlightening project that helps strengthen your editing/writing bones.
"Speaking from personal experience, as well as a practitioner of the mystic arts and a connoisseur of horror movies, D&D, witchcraft, demonology, and other studies that didn’t exactly get me laid in high school, let me explain what to do next." haha
I recommend trying the "It's decorative gourd season" link and then following through to another link on Patreon where they share the editing comments. Quite entertaining.
We can all agree that revising and editing are important, but what about revising and editing your piece to death? The hardest part of any art is knowing when to take advice and when to go with your gut or in Kenny Roger's terms: know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Sometimes too much feedback and too many revisions can be counterproductive and kill the voice of the piece and what makes it unique. The same is true with most art. There's the raw energy of a band playing live versus the overproduced record.
We live in a time and age where you can take a comedic headline, plug it into Chat GPT, and probably get an article of similar quality to the ones you've shared with the class. That's only going to get worse. and it's going to be more difficult to stand out from the cookie-cutter masses.
What makes Jack Handey great is that nobody sounds or writes like him. He has his own voice and that's what you strive for above everything else (at least, in my opinion).
I've always viewed the editing process as making your voice better and shine. You want to cut the fat, but fat is also where the flavor is. Therefore, I would add:
16. Not staying true to your voice or original vision
These are great comments. I agree with pretty much all of that. You don't want to let feedback water down your piece or undercut your voice.
This is why one of my favorite forms of feedback is asking trusted readers to identify which jokes they like more or less. Then cut and double-down accordingly. You should not lose voice this way. Typically the opposite, as better jokes often have more interesting voice.
Case in point. I took one of my headlines and plugged it into AI and this is what it churned out in five seconds (granted I had already written it and the premise is not at all like mine, but just highlights what we're up against).
Stoner's Cookbook: Why Food Tastes Better When You're High
Ever find yourself devouring an entire bag of chips and then chasing it down with a tub of ice cream only to ponder why food tastes like it's been blessed by culinary deities when you’re high? Welcome to the world of the Stoner’s Cookbook, where the only rule is: calories don't count if you can’t remember eating them.
The Science of Munchies: A Brief Explanation (that you’ll forget in five minutes)
First, let’s dive into the science, because what’s funnier than trying to understand complicated concepts while stoned? When THC (that’s the active ingredient in marijuana, not a new acronym for Totally Happy Chewing) enters your brain, it latches onto your cannabinoid receptors. Think of these receptors as tiny little DJs that suddenly decide to crank up the volume on your taste buds and make every snack the headliner at Coachella.
Not only does THC increase your appetite, but it also heightens your senses. So, that grilled cheese you’re munching on isn't just a grilled cheese; it’s an ooey-gooey masterpiece straight from the halls of Valhalla.
Flavors That Pop: The Magical World of Stoner Cuisine
Let’s talk flavors. Ever notice how a simple pretzel can transform into the snack equivalent of a symphony when you’re baked? That’s because THC makes everything taste more intense. Sweet becomes sweeter, salty becomes saltier, and your culinary skills suddenly rival those of a Michelin-starred chef. Congratulations, you’ve just unlocked the secret level of taste.
Imagine this: you’re on your couch, feeling the weight of the universe, and you take a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. Not just any cookie, but one that's warm and gooey. The chocolate melts in your mouth, and you swear you can hear angels singing. In reality, it’s just your roommate singing off-key to Taylor Swift, but who’s keeping track?
The Creativity of the High Chef: Weird Combos that Work
The Stoner’s Cookbook isn't just about making existing food taste better; it's about creating culinary masterpieces from the weirdest ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Peanut butter and pickle sandwich? Why not! Cereal with orange juice instead of milk? You’re a pioneer in the breakfast world! The combination of THC and an empty pantry turns you into a mad scientist of snacks.
The Social Aspect: Munchies Are Better Together
Food, when you’re high, is also a social experience. Sitting with friends, passing around a plate of nachos that looks suspiciously like a Jackson Pollock painting, you bond over the shared experience of taste explosions. You laugh, you eat, you argue over who gets the last slice of pizza (spoiler: it’s always the person who claimed they weren’t hungry).
Conclusion: Eat, Laugh, Repeat
So, why does food taste better when you’re high? Because THC is like a magical seasoning that not only enhances flavors but also makes the entire eating experience more enjoyable. Whether it’s the science behind the munchies or the sheer joy of culinary creativity, being high turns every meal into a feast and every snack into a gourmet delight.
The next time you find yourself knee-deep in a bag of Cheetos, remember: you’re not just eating, you’re participating in an ancient ritual of stoner culture. And who knows, maybe one day your peanut butter and pickle sandwich will make it into the annals of the Stoner’s Cookbook hall of fame. Until then, eat, laugh, and repeat.
6. Not heightening enough - that is gold! I went back to the current piece I'm working on and realized I wasn't doing this. Thank you for this. This alone is worth the subscription!
This has been a really interesting lesson for me. I primarily write poetry, which is a form that is easy to be verbose BUT it also is a form of writing that has several mechanisms for tightening up. When I am writing a piece that isn't as direct as it needs to be, I try to re-write it in a stricter form (like a sonnet, where you only have 14 lines to bring the concept to life).
All that to say, that sometimes playing with the form of writing (poetry, prose, news article, etc) can be a fun and enlightening project that helps strengthen your editing/writing bones.
This is a great tip
I have an updated version of my draft here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eaDe1VryrxAtxnBnjqhV1di9w1OkA2kePL74pR7PSdI/edit
I hope this is more on the right track
"Speaking from personal experience, as well as a practitioner of the mystic arts and a connoisseur of horror movies, D&D, witchcraft, demonology, and other studies that didn’t exactly get me laid in high school, let me explain what to do next." haha
If I got you to laugh does that mean I win?
😂 yes
I recommend trying the "It's decorative gourd season" link and then following through to another link on Patreon where they share the editing comments. Quite entertaining.
We can all agree that revising and editing are important, but what about revising and editing your piece to death? The hardest part of any art is knowing when to take advice and when to go with your gut or in Kenny Roger's terms: know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Sometimes too much feedback and too many revisions can be counterproductive and kill the voice of the piece and what makes it unique. The same is true with most art. There's the raw energy of a band playing live versus the overproduced record.
We live in a time and age where you can take a comedic headline, plug it into Chat GPT, and probably get an article of similar quality to the ones you've shared with the class. That's only going to get worse. and it's going to be more difficult to stand out from the cookie-cutter masses.
What makes Jack Handey great is that nobody sounds or writes like him. He has his own voice and that's what you strive for above everything else (at least, in my opinion).
I've always viewed the editing process as making your voice better and shine. You want to cut the fat, but fat is also where the flavor is. Therefore, I would add:
16. Not staying true to your voice or original vision
These are great comments. I agree with pretty much all of that. You don't want to let feedback water down your piece or undercut your voice.
This is why one of my favorite forms of feedback is asking trusted readers to identify which jokes they like more or less. Then cut and double-down accordingly. You should not lose voice this way. Typically the opposite, as better jokes often have more interesting voice.
Case in point. I took one of my headlines and plugged it into AI and this is what it churned out in five seconds (granted I had already written it and the premise is not at all like mine, but just highlights what we're up against).
Stoner's Cookbook: Why Food Tastes Better When You're High
Ever find yourself devouring an entire bag of chips and then chasing it down with a tub of ice cream only to ponder why food tastes like it's been blessed by culinary deities when you’re high? Welcome to the world of the Stoner’s Cookbook, where the only rule is: calories don't count if you can’t remember eating them.
The Science of Munchies: A Brief Explanation (that you’ll forget in five minutes)
First, let’s dive into the science, because what’s funnier than trying to understand complicated concepts while stoned? When THC (that’s the active ingredient in marijuana, not a new acronym for Totally Happy Chewing) enters your brain, it latches onto your cannabinoid receptors. Think of these receptors as tiny little DJs that suddenly decide to crank up the volume on your taste buds and make every snack the headliner at Coachella.
Not only does THC increase your appetite, but it also heightens your senses. So, that grilled cheese you’re munching on isn't just a grilled cheese; it’s an ooey-gooey masterpiece straight from the halls of Valhalla.
Flavors That Pop: The Magical World of Stoner Cuisine
Let’s talk flavors. Ever notice how a simple pretzel can transform into the snack equivalent of a symphony when you’re baked? That’s because THC makes everything taste more intense. Sweet becomes sweeter, salty becomes saltier, and your culinary skills suddenly rival those of a Michelin-starred chef. Congratulations, you’ve just unlocked the secret level of taste.
Imagine this: you’re on your couch, feeling the weight of the universe, and you take a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. Not just any cookie, but one that's warm and gooey. The chocolate melts in your mouth, and you swear you can hear angels singing. In reality, it’s just your roommate singing off-key to Taylor Swift, but who’s keeping track?
The Creativity of the High Chef: Weird Combos that Work
The Stoner’s Cookbook isn't just about making existing food taste better; it's about creating culinary masterpieces from the weirdest ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Peanut butter and pickle sandwich? Why not! Cereal with orange juice instead of milk? You’re a pioneer in the breakfast world! The combination of THC and an empty pantry turns you into a mad scientist of snacks.
The Social Aspect: Munchies Are Better Together
Food, when you’re high, is also a social experience. Sitting with friends, passing around a plate of nachos that looks suspiciously like a Jackson Pollock painting, you bond over the shared experience of taste explosions. You laugh, you eat, you argue over who gets the last slice of pizza (spoiler: it’s always the person who claimed they weren’t hungry).
Conclusion: Eat, Laugh, Repeat
So, why does food taste better when you’re high? Because THC is like a magical seasoning that not only enhances flavors but also makes the entire eating experience more enjoyable. Whether it’s the science behind the munchies or the sheer joy of culinary creativity, being high turns every meal into a feast and every snack into a gourmet delight.
The next time you find yourself knee-deep in a bag of Cheetos, remember: you’re not just eating, you’re participating in an ancient ritual of stoner culture. And who knows, maybe one day your peanut butter and pickle sandwich will make it into the annals of the Stoner’s Cookbook hall of fame. Until then, eat, laugh, and repeat.