Punch Up Your Fiction: Master the Art of Comedy with Dave Cohen.

The Writing Community Chat Show is back for 2026, and we are kicking off Season 17 with a masterclass in humor. Whether you’re writing a laugh-out-loud sitcom or looking to inject a bit of levity into a dark thriller, this guest is the person who quite literally “wrote the book” on the subject.We were joined by the legendary Dave Cohen. a founding member of the Comedy Store Players, a BAFTA-winning songwriter for Horrible Histories, and a writer for iconic shows like Spitting Image and Not Going Out.Dave shared his incredible journey from Leeds to the heart of the UK comedy scene, offering invaluable advice for writers at every level.Key Takeaways from the Interview.* Comedy is Character: Dave emphasizes that the best jokes aren’t just one-liners; they are born from character. In comedy, the obstacle isn’t just an external “baddie”—it’s often the character themselves looking in the mirror.* The “Momentary Removal of Sympathy”: Referencing comedy guru Dennis Norden, Dave explains that we laugh at characters like Stan and Ollie or Basil Fawlty because of a brief break in our sympathy, only to reconnect with their humanity moments later.* Humor in Genre: You don’t have to be writing a “funny novel” to use comedy. Dave discusses how writers like Mark Billingham use humor to provide a necessary change of pace and relieve tension in even the grimmest thrillers.* The Shakespeare Mindset: Dave gave us a sneak peek into his brand new project, The Shakespeare Mindsetpodcast. He explores how Shakespeare was essentially writing “sitcom” elements into his deepest tragedies and why the Bard is the ultimate guide for navigating the complexities of modern life.* Finish the First Draft: A vital tip for all writers: use a different “brain” for each draft. The first draft is for getting it down without judgment; the third or fourth draft is where you start “punching up” the jokes.Connect with Dave Cohen.Dave is passionate about building a community for comedy writers. If you’re looking for a writing group or want to hone your craft, you can find his courses, his novels, and his new podcast at davecohen.org.uk.Watch or Listen Below.You can watch the full interview right here or head over to YouTube to join the conversation in the comments. The Writing Community Chat Show is also available on all major podcasting platforms. Our Spreaker Prime Show.Watch it right here:The WCCS is a live-streaming YouTube podcast featuring interviews with NYT best-sellers, celebrities, and indie authors. We were recently ranked #3 in the Top 10 writing podcasts in the UK for 2025.Together as one, we get it done!Support Our Non-Profit CICAs many of you know, The Writing Community Chat Show is now officially a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). Our mission is to support authors and creatives through interviews, workshops, competitions, and community projects.Running the show takes time, effort, and resources — from live streaming and editing, to event hosting and outreach. If you enjoy what we do and want to help us continue providing a platform for authors, please consider donating directly to our PayPal. Every contribution goes right back into growing the show and supporting the writing community.Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TheWCCSEven the price of a coffee makes a difference in helping us keep the lights on, the mics live, and the conversations flowing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.