In the Spotlight: An Interview with Author and Standup Comedienne Angela Verges

 by Suzanne Lieurance

Author and Standup Comedienne Angela Verges

Even though Angela Verges works a full time day job, she stays focused on her comedy, both as a writer and a performer.

Learn some of her secrets of success in this recent interview. 

Suzanne Lieurance: Tell us about your background and how you got started as a writer.

Angela Verges: My writing started in 5^th grade when I received a journal as a gift from my mom. It was a green, fake leather-bound, pocket-sized journal with a tiny key. I actually still have the diary. I pulled it out recently and browsed through it. It was fun to look back at my handwriting and seeing the things that were happening at the time. One entry said, “It’s the Fourth of July, we’re at my great grandmother’s house getting ready to watch the fireworks.”

SL: What kinds of things do you write these days?

AV: Blog posts, humorous essays, speeches to present at my Toastmaster’s club, and jokes for my stand-up comedy.

SL: How did your book menopause come about? Tell us about the book.

AV: My book Menopause Ain’t No Joke is what I call a non-traditional devotional and journal. It is a collection of my personal essays on parenting, weight gain, dental visits, and other life experiences sprinkled with humor. At the end of each essay is a scripture and space for the reader to write their reflections.

The book was birthed after my participation in a pageant for women 50 and older. We were required to perform a talent. I labored over what I could do as a talent. Then it hit me – why not try comedy? We only had to perform for two minutes. However, I had no idea what I would perform.

I’ve always loved humor and comedy. The focus of the pageant was women of a certain age. I thought about what I was going through and how I was surviving and sometimes thriving using humor. That’s when my comedy bit was born. I ended the performance saying – menopause ain’t no joke.

Over the next few months following the pageant, I began compiling my blog posts to create the book.

SL: You are also a standup comedienne. How did you get started doing this?

Angela with Other Comics at the Detroit House of Comedy

AV: A few weeks after the pageant, a friend told me about a talent show fundraiser that her church was hosting and she suggested that I sign up, and I did. The requirement was four minutes for our talent display. I added to the two minutes I performed for the pageant, and I was on my way. 

I make this sound easy peasy but let me expound. I keep a humor journal where I write down things I find funny. It could be a funny sign posted somewhere, a remark someone makes, or something that happens to me. During dental appointments I seem to come up with new material.

During one visit the dentist asked me, “Has anything changed since your last visit?”

“Yes, menopause,” I said.

“Oh, that can cause changes in your gums, and your teeth can shift.”

“Give it to me straight Doc, how much time do I have left…with this set of teeth?”

I didn’t actually say that to my dentist, but I did chuckle inside my head.

SL: How do you find material for your stand-up routines? Can you describe your process for turning real life events into stand-up material?

AV: Very often the material finds me. Let me explain through an interaction with my son. We were at a family gathering and my son and I took selfies. He looked at the phone and said,” I look kinda nice today.”

“You, look like me,” I said.

“So, I look like a 58-year-old menopausal woman?!”

“I’m 57, and I have a better mustache than you.”

I later used that scenario as an opening for one of my comedy sets. Whenever everyday things happen, I write them down. I don’t always know when or how I will use the scenarios. I create a heading for each joke or story when I record them. For instance, the episode that occurred at the dental office, I titled Dental Visit. The next dental episode I called Dental Too. It’s all a part of my strategy for organizing the jokes and it helps me to remember them.

Another humorous episode happened when I was practicing yoga at home using an app. 

The Yogi said, “Put one hand on your belly, and breathe.” 

No one was home but, me and I said out loud, “I can’t hold my belly, it’s heavy, that’s why I’m here.” 

I giggled to myself, stopped my yoga session momentarily and wrote down what I had just experienced. And that is my process for turning real life events into stand-up material. There is also a bit of exaggeration. 

SL: What do you enjoy most about being a writer and comedienne?

 AV: Writing allows me to express myself in fun and creative ways. I feel an energy when I’m writing or performing. I love that I can write anywhere.

When performing I enjoy hearing laughter from the audience. I also appreciate when people come up to me after the show and say, “that was so relatable.”

SL: What is your biggest challenge as a writer and/or comedienne?

AV: I have to remember to find balance and focus. Sometimes I will have several projects going on at one time. I may be taking a comedy class, writing an article for an essay contest, and working on freelance writing. It has been a great benefit having coaching sessions with you Suzanne. I remember your advice when I take on a new project, and ask myself, is this in line with my goals?

For me the positive aspect of having more than one project going is that I can shift gears when I get stuck in one area.

As a comedienne one challenge for me sometimes is getting out to open mics to practice my craft. I still work full-time, so I have to consider the time and location of where I go. If it’s during the week, it has to be within a certain radius of home because I have to get my rest. Some comedians go out several times during the week and multiple times in one night. Comedians do this because the best way to get better is with a live audience, it’s instant feedback. So, when I do have the opportunity to perform at an open mic, I show up with energy and give my best performance. 

SL: You often present workshops for writers. Tell us the workshops you offer.

AV: Thanks for asking about my workshops. The workshops I offer are:

Hungry For Humor? Feed Your Muse

Humor Happy Hour – Tips for Using Humor in the Workplace

Write Now! And How?

 

The workshops are an hour and fifteen minutes and designed for the beginner or intermediate writer seeking to dedicate more time to their writing but need a little push or a fresh start. In the workshops I share tips, resources, writing prompts, and a short, timed writing period.

 

SL: What is your best tip for writers?

AV: Be consistent, keep showing up for yourself, invest in yourself. Is that more than one tip? Schedule your writing time on a calendar, treat it as if you’re going on a date, stick to the commitment. Determine how much time you will write and make your commitment attainable and realistic. If you know you only have 30 minutes to write, don’t say you’re going to write for two hours. It can leave you feeling disappointed and beating up on yourself. Set yourself up for success, not failure. Set a reachable goal, and if you exceed that, pat yourself on the back. Better yet, throw your fist in the air and shout, “I did it.” 

When I say invest in yourself, I’m suggesting that you attend writer’s workshops, connect with other writers who are doing what you want to do, and are successful at it. Investing in yourself also means focusing on your health and well-being. Rest when you need to, treat yourself to a home spa day – give yourself a facial, a foot bath, listen to soothing music. Do something that brings you joy.

SL: Where can people learn more about you and your book, upcoming performances, and workshops, etc.?

I post upcoming events on my social media:

Instagram – https://instagram.com/writermama223

Facebook  - https://www.facebook/angela.verges

Website – www.angelaverges.net

Readers can also sign up for my newsletter – Hott Flash News for doses of humor, wellness tips, and periodic giveaways.

Suzanne Lieurance

For more author interviews and tips for writers, visit writebythesea.com.

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          Suzanne Lieurance is an award-winning author & writing coach.