My name is Brian T
Shirley. I've been a stand-up comedian for nearly twenty years. I've written
jokes, words of wisdom, short stories, and sketch comedy since I was about 14.
I had a column in my high school newspaper for two years. I wrote sketches for
x-Xmas parties and squad functions when I was in the Air force. I started
writing and performing stand up in a comedy workshop in Charleston, SC in the early 1990's. Since then not only have
I written and continue to write my own show material, I also received writing
credit for an independent movie called " After Hours", I've helped
and received credit for helping other comedians write, I've published two
comedy books and I have several short stories on my web site of which some will
be part of an online publication with several other authors.
I love writing comedy.
I've always had a knack for making people laugh and it has always begun with
writing for me. I also love to perform comedy, but the act would not be truly
mine without my weird sense of humor, which is where the writing comes into
play. When I write a story, joke, proverb, poem or sketch and hand it to
someone to read, seeing them laugh is the best feeling on earth. Writing comedy
is always a challenge because you don't know if it works until you perform it
or see someone read it.
I'm not sure if I chose
comedy or it chose me. It just fits so well with the way I think, it's the most
natural thing in the world. Having said that, it still can be the hardest thing
in the world too.
What books, stories do you have published?
I have two comedy books out there. Make Love Not Warts, and Four Score and Seven Beers Ago. Both books are a series of old proverbs I've
taken and twisted around. They also contain original sayings I've come up with
along with some insults.
The second book is
different in that it contains some popular song titles turned into comedic
sentences and it has a small poem at the end. Both books are available for e
book downloads and at barnesandnnoble.com, booksamillion.com and www.amazon.com. Readers may also go to
my web site for a signed copy at http;//www.briantshirley.webs.com. I have several short
stories that will soon be in an online publication along with several different
authors. The stories are about real life events I gone through both in and
outside the world of comedy.
What is your favorite thing about the books?
I like the fact that
people will not read the books just once. They can read them once, then come
back again and again to laugh at their favorite lines.
I like writing comedy
because I love to make people laugh. I think it differs from other genres in
that comedy doesn't spark an emotion such as fear, sadness or love. It has an
almost physical reaction in that you make a person smile, laugh, or maybe even
move around if they laugh hard enough.
Why and when did you begin writing?
I began writing comedy
in my early teens. I also tried to write sci/fi and horror, but comedy seemed
to be more natural for me. I love to see someone reading and laughing at
something I wrote, that is the big WHY behind why I write.
What is your writing schedule?
I don't have a set
schedule, which is not a good thing. I travel a lot and sometimes, just like
now, I'm in and out of hotel rooms several times a week. I write in the car, at
there hotel, and at home.
What projects are you
working on now or in the future?
I'm writing the third
book in my Make Love Not Warts
trilogy. I'm also writing some sketch comedy, which may become a sitcom. I'm
always writing and rewriting my show. I may work on a horror novel at some
point in the future.
What tips can you give to others about writing and publishing?
I always think people
should write what they are very passionate about, it's a long process and can
be very frustrating. If you are going to write, make sure it's a story you
would love to read. Write for yourself first, you can find your readership
later. That's how I feel. If you have the time to shop your book around, do it.
The bottom line is that if you believe in what you've written, make sure it's
published, traditional or otherwise. Also, publishing a book is just the
beginning, you still have a lot of work to do.
What do you do if you are not writing?
When I'm not writing,
I'm performing or getting to the gig. When I'm not on stage, traveling, or
writing, I'm doing what I can to promote myself and both books.
What " Made it' moments have you had in life?
With performing I've
worked with Jimmy"JJ" Walker, Brian Reagan, Tim Wilson and Huey Lewis
and the News. I've acted and had writing credits in the same independent movie
" After Hours". I've worked at The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island
in the Bahamas. My first book, Make Love Not Warts can be checked out
from the library at The Atlantis Resort. I'm really excited that both my books
are available worldwide on most major retailor web sites. I'm currently on tour
headlining several casinos all throughout the mid west, and I have both books
with me. The biggest "Made it" moment I've had is bringing a smile to
someone's face! That's always the best!
You can visit my other blog at: http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/ that features a preview to my new book, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.
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