The Beginning Of Something Funny - 1. An Idea Worth Sharing

Honey Magnolia believed that laughter was one of life's greatest gifts.

Not the polite little chuckle someone offered when they didn't quite understand a joke. She meant genuine laughter—the kind that made people forget their worries, even if only for a few minutes.

Honey had worked for several years at a publishing company, where she met a fellow writer named Michael Prescott.

Michael was a talented writer with a pleasant personality and a wonderful sense of humor. He and Honey often found themselves discussing manuscripts, sharing opinions about books, and exchanging ideas during their breaks.

Over time, their professional relationship grew into a genuine friendship.

Although they saw each other regularly at work, they also enjoyed visiting one another occasionally. Sometimes Michael would stop by Honey's house for coffee, and other times Honey would visit him. They could spend hours talking about their work, discussing stories they had read, or simply enjoying a good conversation.

They respected each other's opinions, even when they disagreed, and both appreciated the other's imagination.

One afternoon, while sitting at her desk at home, Honey began thinking about something different.

She had spent years working with stories of all kinds, but lately she had been wondering whether she might enjoy writing comedy.

Not just an occasional funny moment tucked into an otherwise serious story. She wanted to write something that would make readers laugh from beginning to end.

The more she thought about it, the more excited she became.

And Honey knew exactly whom she wanted as her writing partner.

Michael Prescott.

She glanced at the telephone, smiled, and picked it up.

Across town, Michael sat at his desk, studying a blank computer screen.

His telephone rang.

“Michael Prescott speaking.”

“Michael, it's Honey.”

“Good afternoon, Honey. What can I do for you?”

“I've made a decision.”

Michael leaned back in his chair.

“Should I be worried?”

“That depends. How would you like to write comedy with me?”

Michael sat forward.

“Comedy? As in books?”

“As in stories, Michael. Funny stories. Stories that make people laugh.”

“Well, I certainly like making people laugh.”

“Good. Then we're already halfway there.”

Michael glanced at his blank screen.

“Honey, I've been staring at an empty page for nearly an hour. You've just offered me a writing partnership, and I haven't even had lunch.”

“Then eat something. I don't want my writing partner fainting before we finish our first story.”

Michael laughed.

“When do we start?”

“Today. My house. Bring your imagination.”

“Anything else?”

“Your sense of humor.”

“I never leave home without it.”

“Wonderful. And Michael?”

“Yes?”

“Don't bring a suitcase.”

“A suitcase?”

“We're writing together, not getting married.”

Michael burst out laughing.

“I'll see you in an hour, Honey.”

An hour later, Michael arrived carrying a leather briefcase and two cups of coffee.

Honey opened the door.

“You brought coffee!”

“I figured every successful writing partnership ought to begin with something civilized.”

“Michael, we're writing comedy. I'm not sure civilized is what we're aiming for.”

She invited him inside.

Her writing room was bright and comfortable, with a large desk, bookshelves, two chairs, and a window overlooking the backyard.

Michael looked around approvingly.

“This is nice.”

“Thank you. I wanted somewhere peaceful to work.”

“And you invited me?”

Honey gave him a sideways glance.

“I'm beginning to question that decision.”

They both laughed.

Once seated, Honey opened a fresh notebook.

“Now, Michael, I have an idea.”

“Let's hear it.”

“I want us to write about ordinary things.”

Michael considered that.

“Ordinary people?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Ordinary places?”

“Possibly.”

“Ordinary situations?”

“Sometimes.”

Michael studied her face.

“Honey, you're being awfully mysterious.”

“That's because I haven't told you everything.”

“Are you going to?”

“Eventually.”

Michael smiled.

“I see. So you've invited me to become your writing partner on a project you won't explain.”

“I've explained plenty. We're writing comedy.”

“Yes, but comedy about what?”

Honey tapped her notebook with her pencil.

“Something people encounter every day without giving it a second thought.”

Michael raised an eyebrow.

“That covers an enormous amount of territory.”

“Exactly!”

He leaned back, considering her words.

Then he smiled.

“You know, Honey, I think you might be onto something.”

“I know I am.”

“Modest, too.”

“Michael, modesty has nothing to do with having a good idea.”

“Fair enough.”

Honey opened her notebook to the first page.

“Now, before we start, I want us to agree on something.”

“What's that?”

“We don't write just to fill pages. Every story needs a reason for being told.”

Michael nodded.

“And every joke needs a reason to be funny.”

“Precisely.”

He thought for a moment.

“Then perhaps we should begin by asking ourselves one question.”

Honey looked up.

“What question?”

“What makes an ordinary thing extraordinary?”

For the first time that afternoon, Honey stopped tapping her pencil.

A slow smile spread across her face.

“Michael Prescott, that may be the smartest thing you've said all day.”

“Thank you.”

“Don't let it go to your head.”

“I'll do my best.”

Honey turned to a clean page and wrote the question across the top.

What makes an ordinary thing extraordinary?

For several minutes, the two authors exchanged ideas.

Some were amusing. Others were ridiculous. A few were so unexpected that both writers stopped talking and simply stared at each other.

Then Honey began laughing.

Michael grinned.

“What?”

“Oh, Michael! Can you imagine?”

He looked at what she had written.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he started laughing too.

“Honey, people are going to think we've lost our minds!”

“Maybe,” she replied, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. “But they'll certainly have fun finding out.”

Michael picked up his pen.

“Then I suppose we'd better get to work.”

Honey looked at him across the desk.

“Michael?”

“Yes, Honey?”

“I think we're going to make a wonderful team.”

He smiled warmly.

“I think so too.”

Outside, the afternoon sunlight moved slowly across the lawn.

Inside, two writers began creating something neither of them had ever attempted before.

Their notebooks filled with ideas, possibilities, and the beginnings of stories that would soon take on lives of their own.

And although neither author knew exactly where their new partnership would lead, they agreed on one thing.

Whatever they wrote, they wanted their readers to smile.

Because sometimes the most extraordinary adventures begin with the most ordinary things.

And sometimes all it takes is two people willing to look at the world a little differently.

The End