When I look at a lot of older stuff that I've written, I think one sign of amateur humor writing is when you see people trying too hard.

Summary

This quote suggests that in the realm of humor writing, a common indication of amateurish attempts is when individuals appear to be pushing too vigorously for a laugh. It implies that genuine humor is more natural and effortless, and artificial efforts often result in writing that feels forced or contrived. The author, upon reflecting on their own earlier work, recognizes this tendency to try too hard as an unmistakable trademark of novice humor writers.

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