Funny is the New Deep [Steve Almond]

Contrary to popular belief, writing funny doesn’t mean sacrificing depth. On the contrary, for most literary writers, the comic impulse is inextricably linked to tragedy. It’s not a conscious effort to entertain the reader so much as an unconscious effort to face some tragic moment or realization. In this informal class, suitable for both fiction and nonfiction writers, we’ll look at the work of Lorrie Moore, George Saunders, and others in an effort to learn how you can be funny and break hearts while doing it.