I did a post a while back on how using humor is a great way to 'get away with stuff'. But the video below - which had me laughing until I cried, as well as squirming in my seat - got me thinking about another use for humor:
Humor builds bridges. If, like me, you're writing for a young audience, or your books are addressing difficult topics, don't underestimate how much value humor can add. When people are laughing they rarely stop to judge. And if they aren't judging, you've already got a foot in the door to their hearts.
I wouldn't suggest using humor to marginalize important issues, but used as a tool, it can break down barriers and get people thinking. You can take the sting out of scary, or the fidgets out of fear.
Or you can just have a dang good time.
Case and point:
Let the humor be organic and understated, but use it just like you'd use a plot point or a character arc: intentionally.
Your Turn: Can you name a book that used humor to break down walls or bring the reader on board with something, or someone that was objectionable?