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Patrick F. McManus

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The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions into the Writing of Humor Paperback – April 15, 2000

by Patrick F. McManus (Author)

4.7 84 ratings

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For his fourteenth book, Patrick McManus lets us inside the laughs. This guide, by one of the world's best-known and respected humorists, is an insightful and entertaining book for anyone who writes humor or has ever wanted to.

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About the Author

Patrick McManus's has been an editor-at-large of OUTDOOR LIFE for the last two decades and is also a professor emeritus of Eastern Washington University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Successful Stuttering; Softcover Ed edition (April 15, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 188 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0910055629
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0910055628
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #481,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,113 in Humor Essays (Books)

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4.7 84 ratings

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Patrick F. McManus

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Patrick F. McManus is a renowned outdoor writer, humorist, and longtime columnist for Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. His most recent books are the Sheriff Bo Tully mysteries Avalanche and The Blight Way. He is the author of many other books, including such runaway New York Times bestsellers as The Grasshopper Trap, The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw, and Real Ponies Don't Go Oink! He lives in Spokane, Washington.

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L.A. Harder

Informative for writers of all genres and just plain fun!

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2017

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Humor is my genre and McManus is my hero. When I discovered he had written a book filled with first-hand experiences and valuable tips regarding the writing of humor I knew I had to own a copy. Turns out, McManus is not only a master storyteller but a (now retired) university professor of writing. Much of the material is applicable to every writing genre and I can almost guarantee this will be the most enjoyable book you will ever read on the how-tos of writing. Includes several of McManus' own short-stories with author commentary.

2 people found this helpful

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Crafter

My favorite book on writing humor.

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019

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McManus makes no claim this book will make you a successful writer of humor but he provides excellent guidance and analyzes some of his own humor along the way. While The Deer on a Bicycle is a great story, my favorite is A Good Deed Goes Wrong. His book is worth it just for these stories alone. He provides valuable insight on what works and why. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to try their hand at writing humor (it's harder than you think),

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Vicki M. Taylor

Snatch the Pebble from his Hand

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2001

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Patrick McManus has always been somewhat of an enigma to me. I loved to read his columns as a child. I'd sneak away with my father's hunting and fishing magazines just to read the humorous writings of McManus like other children did with their dad's Playboy magazines.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I truly appreciated McManus' humor. And, now, as an author myself, I have come to understand his writing.
This book gives great insight into what makes McManus write. He uses past essays to help describe the techniques he uses. Most of all, he gives all of us a glimpse into what makes McManus funny.
If you're looking for the "secret" that makes McManus an awesome author, you won't find it in black and white. It's more like studying a master and hoping that some day you can be half as good. No one can be another McManus, but if you study his writings and study his words on writing humor, you might, JUST MIGHT, get to be half as funny.
So, as Grasshopper learned from his master, you too can learn from this master.

10 people found this helpful

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GB McTigue

4 out of five stars.

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017

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McManus has always been one of my very favorite authors. This is his somewhat serious take on how to write humor, so it isn't a "funny" book - per se'. Ultimately, one must have a natural born tallent for writing, I believe - but McManus makes a very good attempt at showing the reader his thought process is as he writes his stories. IMO no one writes as he can, and as budding authors we all need to find our own way, but I found the book to be useful as well as entertaining.

One person found this helpful

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K. A. Bouvier

Superb advice for humor writing

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2019

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An entertaining, insightful, how-to book on the writing and marketing of humor pieces by the master teacher and storyteller himself: Patrick McManus.

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Elizabeth H. VanLiere

Good advice on writing with humor

Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2017

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Good advice on writing with humor, but although I have been trying to follow his lessons, I find it easier to laugh at his great stuff than to write like the funniest writer I've ever read: Patrick McManus.

One person found this helpful

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Uncle Joe

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2013

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I bought this copy to replace an old, worn out copy that I lost somewhere. Although it's meant to help the writer of humor, it is valuable to anyone looking to improve their writing or those that simply wish to get a little better idea of how McManus writes his stories. You will have a whole new appreciation for his talents after finishing this book.

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Jimmy Richard Holder

He Shows us the "Man behind the screen" in this book. I would rather not look!

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015

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This was not my favorite McManus book. I read Pat McManus because he allows me to take a guided excursion back into my own past with most of his stories. This was a primer on his writing skills and as such it kind of burst the bubble in my imagination. It was still a good work, but since I dont plan to write stories I would rather read his other works which are all among my favorites.

One person found this helpful

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