I Love To Write Day

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• November 15, 2021

That’s what today is: I Love To Write Day.

Any given day there are many different holidays or dedicated days to things most people (rightfully) shouldn’t really give a shit about. Hell, I love to write and I don’t really care about “I Love To Write Day.” I only even know about the holiday because one of my writing jobs always includes what random thing we could be celebrating.

Oh yes, did you see I wrote, “one of my writing jobs.” I now have multiple writing jobs. A radio writing job, a TV writing job, stand-up and my own projects (mostly screenplays at present). This blog, too, I guess. Which isn’t nothing! This personal blog I’ve been doing weekly for years hasn’t only helped me practice and hone my craft, but has provided a place for fans to “visit” me, or at least give them something to read while they are one the toilet. It also has provided definitive proof that I am, in fact, a good writer.

There is no such thing as wasted writing. This is something I tell people who want to be writers. Writing literally anything is practice. Pick up your pen or open your lap top and get to it.

I also don’t always feel like it. Sometimes I’m tired. Or I’d rather run around outside. Of course, I don’t even always know what to write about when I start in. But writing for me is more than an art, it’s an urge. It feels as necessary as sex.

So, on behalf of “I Love To Write Day,” I’d like to pat myself on the back. Something I don’t do all that much. But my new gig, which is at present part time, is a joke writer for ‘Gutfeld!’ on Fox, the late-night political satire show (with the #1 ratings in late night comedy, currently). This is a very cool thing. Because the first time I stepped on stage in 2009, at Stand-Up NY on the upper west side of New York City, was not to become a stand-up. Specifically, I wanted to find an avenue to late night comedy telelvision writing. From day one, this was my dream, my goal. I have arrived. And let me just say this, it fits me better than most of my clothes (but most of my clothes don’t fit me that well so it’s not my best analogy).

Basically, I’m handed stories, and my job is to write punchlines. Over ten years as a stand-up comic has properly prepared me for this. Not to mention odd writing jobs here and there or sitcoms I’ve written. I’ve worked at a lot of shitty jobs because comedy was my priority. There is not a single person who knows me, even if they aren’t a fan a mine, who would deny my hard work. I have worked my ass off. I have been broke, almost homeless, skipped meals to save money, eaten peanut butter to save money, sacrificed a social life, put love on the back burner, took shitty job after shitty job so I could do multiple sets a night, stayed up night writing and editing stories— it has been work, but a labor of love. It feels so good to rewarded, to have a win. Furthermore, I’m good at this. I’m a fucking sniper when it comes to finding the jokes. And I truly love it.

A lot can go wrong when you decide to pursue a career in the arts. And a lot has gone wrong. But growth is often painful. If you’re reading this right now, there is a solid chance you’ve been in my corner, rooting for me. Perhaps you’ve been vocal about it, perhaps you’re a silent fan. Either way, when the going got tough (which if you’re a reader of mine, you know I’m not dishonest about hardships), anyone who has ever encouraged me to keep going has contributed to my success. I mean that, sincerely. Like it or not, I am in a field that requires fans. I need you to make a living as a writer and a comedian. That’s the truth. Perhaps this is the start of something really great. The best from me is yet to come, I promise you.

Make no mistake. There’s been more smiles on my face than frowns in recent months. And when I’m sitting there using my weird brain to think of jokes, it is not lost on me how far I’ve come— and it’s almost surreal. You didn’t just do it, Lori, you’re doing it. And this is just the beginning. So today I’ll write jokes for you. And tonight I’ll write something for me. Tomorrow I’ll do it all over again. It almost feels too good. It almost feels fatalistic. How rare it is for writers to feel they are right where they need to be