How Often Should Stand-Up Comedians Write Jokes?

There’s a saying in comedy circles, almost gospel at this point: comedians should write every day. And it’s usually followed by someone name-dropping Jerry Seinfeld and his infamous “unbroken chain,” the equivalent of quotting Jerry 3:16. The story goes, Seinfeld would mark an “X” on the calendar every day he wrote, forming a chain, and the goal was simple: don’t break the chain. It sounds impressive—and a little terrifying, like the comedic version of counting calories.

But here’s the thing: not everyone is Jerry Seinfeld. And more importantly, not everyone should be. Writing every day might sound like the secret sauce to comedy greatness, but for a lot of comedians, especially those who aren’t full-time, it’s just not realistic. For some, it might even be counterproductive. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my first year of stand-up, it’s that writing isn’t just about consistency—it’s about being ready.

Look, I’m not full-time as a comedian yet. I teach comedy writing at an actual college and—let’s be real—get paid far more for that than I would out on the road at this point. It’s a different kind of grind, but it’s also reps. A lot of reps. And that’s where I’ve landed on this whole “write every day” debate: it’s not about rigid schedules or daily quotas. It’s about always being on the lookout for inspiration, always being ready to write.

For me, the goal isn’t “write every day.” It’s “write anytime.” If I’m talking with someone and a joke pops into my head, I’ll stop the conversation to jot it down. Yes, I’ve paused family dinners mid-sentence. Yes, I’ve interrupted my wife to ask her to text me a setup before I forget it. And yes, my kids know the drill by now: if I’m driving and say, “Text this to me,” it’s not optional. They’re part of the process. That’s the deal.

My writing posture, if you can call it that, is 24/7 readiness. Not sitting down with a notebook at a set time each day, but staying tuned in to the absurdities of life wherever they happen to appear. I wake up in the middle of the night and scribble down notes. I’ve written jokes on napkins, receipts, and the back of church bulletins (no judgment, please). Inspiration doesn’t care about my schedule, so I don’t either.

This approach has worked for me. In my first year of comedy, I’ve written over a thousand jokes. And no, they’re not all gems—some of them barely qualify as coal—but the volume isn’t the point. The point is staying open. Staying ready. Recognizing that some of the best material doesn’t come when you force it. It comes when you’re paying attention.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Writing every day works for some people. If you’re the kind of person who thrives on structure and discipline, go for it. But for me—and for a lot of comedians I’ve met—creativity isn’t something you schedule. It’s something you catch, like a sneeze, except hopefully funnier.

The danger with “write every day” is that it can start to feel like a chore. You’re not writing because you’re inspired—you’re writing because you’re supposed to. And if you’re not careful, that kind of forced productivity can stifle creativity instead of fueling it. You sit there staring at the blank page, trying to wring a joke out of your brain like it’s a sponge, and the only thing that comes out is frustration. Been there. Done that. No thanks.

Instead, I’ve learned to trust the process. To trust that if I stay ready, the material will come. It’s less about grinding out jokes and more about staying open to the moments that make life ridiculous. Like the time I saw a guy trying to parallel park a truck with a “Let’s Go Brandon” bumper sticker and couldn’t help but think, “Maybe start with the parking before you tackle the government.” That wasn’t scheduled writing time—that was me being ready.

I think what’s most important, whether you write every day or not, is finding what works for you. Some comedians need the structure of a schedule. Others, like me, need the flexibility to write whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to creativity. But there is one rule I live by: be ready.

Because in comedy, like life, the best moments are often unscripted. You can’t plan them, but you can be prepared to capture them. And if that means pausing a conversation, waking up in the middle of the night, or pulling over on the highway to write a joke about the absurdity of road signs, so be it. That’s just part of the deal.

So, here’s my advice: don’t stress about writing every day. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day, or a week, or even a month. Instead, focus on being ready. Stay curious. Stay open. Pay attention to the world around you, because the material is out there—it’s just waiting for you to notice it. And when you do, be ready to write it down.

That, to me, is the unbroken chain. Not a calendar full of Xs, but a life full of moments that make you laugh—and the readiness to turn them into something that might make someone else laugh too.