A brilliant comedian and writer, Erikka brings us into her world, sharing with us her reasons for life and a whole lot more.
When did you discover your passion for comedy and writing?
Yesterday. It’s crazy but for years I wasn’t doing it passionately. OK, seriously, since I was a kid. I’m not sure of the exact date, but my mom was always cracking jokes. I actually hated writing until I was seven because I couldn’t stay focused. I used to get this assignment where I had to write a story with all the week’s spelling words in it. I would write HORRIBLE stories with too many ideas smashed together, no plot… I used the phrase ‘and then’ a lot… and get bad grades accompanied by heartfelt notes that read ‘you have a wonderful imagination BUT *insert detailed criticism here*.” My mom sat down with me for two hours a night to help me write decently and once I got the hang of it, I was so enthused that I started writing all the time. Getting As on the assignments was nice too!
As a child what did you spend most of your time doing?
Reading. I always wanted to learn how to read. At four, I was trying to learn. My mom was pretty patient – she’d sit through me stumbling through page after page of text. I was super stubborn too. I had the idea that if I read out loud a whole lot, I’d be really good at it. My poor mom sat through it all. I admit part of the fun of learning to read was I’d get to stay up past bedtime sounding out words because the activity was ‘educational.’ When I got older and learned to write stories I got more interested in that.
What gives you the drive to do what you do?
Tiger blood and the DNA of Adonis.
What makes someone funny, memorable and interesting?
We pay attention to things that move us emotionally or help us through difficult times.
The ability to connect with others is what makes a person funny, memorable, or interesting. We pay attention to things that move us emotionally or help us through difficult times. As to the formula for how to be funny or memorable or interesting… I don’t think anybody knows that.
How do you want to remembered?
I think a pyramid in my honor would be acceptable.
What’s helped you to become a better writer?
Doing stand-up comedy. When you write comedy at home you ask yourself “is this funny?” And with stand-up comedy, you can go right to a crowd and test it out. If you spend awhile on it and everybody laughs you have a winner, if not, well back to the drawing board. I imagine if I didn’t get to do that, it might be harder to figure out if something is actually funny or not!
About Erikka
Nationally touring comedian and award-winning writer, Erikka Innes, is scoring high marks in comedy clubs all over CA. Her high-energy performances are a guided tour through a wonderland filled with unique, sometimes surreal observations about every day life, where D&D is the national pastime and William Shatner’s rendition of Rocket Man is the national anthem. Her act is smart, insightful, and her quirky innocence masks a dark, biting undertone.
Visit her online at www.ErikkaInnes.com.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Erikka,
Very funny. You probably get that a lot.
How did you make the jump from written word to being on stage in front of a live audience? Articulating the humor seems like it would be a bit harder than writing it.
Thanks for the laughs.
Live it LOUD!