I’ve entertained the thought of writing as more than a hobby, apparently there are a few pitfalls, as illustrated by the following lightbulb jokes, along the way one should be cognisant of. :)
“Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: The terrible sex had made him feel deeply interesting, like a murder victim.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: The beast, which had represented his feelings, was dead. “I think I’ll do a pushup,” he announced to the sea. The sea respected him for it.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: [4000 words from the narrator about his feelings on his childhood circumcision]Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: War is hell.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: He straightened his tie. He had lost, but in a romantic way, which meant that he had won. “I’m going to do a pushup,” he announced to his tie. His tie respected him for it, and secretly wished that it could have sex with him.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: You wouldn’t understand.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: He swore curses at his coworkers. He was making a lot of money. Fuck.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: This neighborhood in New York City was very different from the other neighborhood in New York City he’d just been in.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: He lit a cigarette. His glass of whiskey lit a cigarette too. “I can only truly love my best friend,” he said, “but not in a gay way. Women wouldn’t understand it. They’re too gay.” Both of the cigarettes agreed.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: [4000 words about an isolated encounter with a service worker that borders on racist and goes nowhere]Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: “The cocaine isn’t the point. The cocaine is a metaphor,” he explained wearily over the pile of cocaine. She folded her arms. She didn’t understand his cocaine. “Didn’t you read my manifesto?” The prostitute had read his manifesto. Why couldn’t she?Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: This lightbulb is inauthentic.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: “It’s only the institution I have a problem with,” he explained to the empty bar.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: The time had come for him to go to war, and also find himself, and also reject the rules of your society.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: His alcoholism was different, because someday he was going to die.Q: How many male novelists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: [Nothing happens for 450 pages; receives fourteen awards]”
-By Mallory Ortberg Found on The Toast.



5 comments
June 28, 2016 at 11:21 am
Miep
These are great. I think I like “this light bulb is inauthentic” best.
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June 28, 2016 at 4:11 pm
anonymous
Q: How many female novelists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: There are female novelists?
Q: How many female novelists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: The lightbulb has disappeared.
Q: How many female novelists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: There is no light nor bulb to change.
:)
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June 28, 2016 at 4:37 pm
Miep
And there never was any light nor bulb to change, and we never talk about whether there was or was not ever any light or bulb to change.
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June 28, 2016 at 6:48 pm
anonymous
Hilarious Miep
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June 28, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Francois Tremblay
“Bad books on writing tell you to “WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW”, a solemn and totally false adage that is the reason there exist so many mediocre novels about English professors contemplating adultery.”
Joe Haldeman
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