How to write Gag Cartoons that just kill ya!

I've enjoyed looking at many great gag cartoons over the years in newspapers and now on the Internet and it seems to me that the best gag cartoons are those that have the least artistic in-put in terms of elaborate art-work and shading etc. Instead the gag cartoons focus entirely on capturing an ironic moment that we can all relate to. Often the art work is nothing more than a few incomplete black lines. For those who are already able to draw simple yet effective cartoons, coming up with the gag line and captions themselves might be the hard part. Here are a few tips that I find helpful:

1. Keep a note book and pen handy at all times and especially by your bed.

Some of my best ideas come to me when I am barely awake. When I am fully awake they're gone. So I now keep a note book next to my bed to jot down any gag cartoon ideas I have during the night.

2. If you don't already follow the news on the Internet or via newspapers, do so! There are lots of frustrating, annoying and funny stories that create great gag cartoon situations. The problem I'm having presently with regard to creating these type of gag cartoons is that often the ideas that spring to my mind are very un-pc!

This brings us to third tip re how to write gag cartoons

3. This is just my opinion, but while controversy is great for bringing attention to your gag cartoons, do consider your audience. Don't create cartoons that will cause great offence ( a little perhaps) but nothing too monumental! Says she who intends on drafting lots of controversial cartoonists and their ego's cartoons very shortly. That is if I can fit the ego's on the page!

4. Get yourself a few inspiring books' ie:

• Proverbs
• Sayings
• Joke Book
• Silly Rhymes

There isn't a formula for seeing funny things where they otherwise do not exist but sometimes I find when reading random obscure things, two ideas gel together and a gag is formed. Proverbs and familiar sayings are great sources of material that people are already familiar with that you can then use to throw a unique spin on.

5. Study the best gag cartoonists in the world and see what they're writing about and why we find it funny! Buy cartoonists books! There are lots of great cartooning books available from Amazon that offer tips on how to write gag cartoons and how to get them published etc. The gag cartoonists are the experts, so do check them out.

Good luck!