From the corniest dad pun to the bleakest gallows humor, joke-writing is an art—and it's not just for standup comedians. To master this craft, you must know what makes people laugh, understand joke ...

I decided years ago that I was no longer going to give readings dressed like a bum. That’s the only way to put it: no more raggedy jeans and tennis shoes, no more flannel shirts with the long johns ...