My starter job was the assistant to the VP/GM of a popular Spanish-language channel (yes, that one…or the other one you are thinking of) in Dallas. I got absolutely nothing out of it, but I will mention they forgot to take me off payroll when I left the company.

Will NOT mention that I forgot to mention to them to stop paying me for two months. Consider it backpay for having to type all my boss’s contacts into her flip phone that one time.

Having other friends in comedy really helped me stick with it. Seeing us all become funnier and start getting booked was very encouraging. Plus, we were able to hold each other accountable for hitting up mics. Ok, that’s partially what kept me going. What also kept me going was the cheap Tecates at Creek & The Cave and the cheap ass vodka sodas I would get at mics.

Trolls/hecklers are part of the game, unfortunately. How I handle them depends on the situation. Are they just wanting to hear themselves talk? Are they drunk? On a date? Attempting to have a side convo as I’m on stage? Those are all things to consider in regard to how I respond, but I usually a rather quick to shut it down….my efforts range from saying, “Hey, if you have any questions about my jokes I can explain them after the show.” to “Yo, shut the f*ck up”.

My advice would be, “That pronoun joke you have is hack as hell. Do better, bud.”

A comedian once told me to just go to shows and ask the producer for time even when you don’t know them. That advice is what happens when you ask for advice from a straight, white, male comic. NOW I KNOW BETTER.

It’s just helped me laugh at myself even during times of pain or sadness. Learning to poke fun at it and find the funny has also helped me heal through those rough times.

The Break Up (I know, I know)

Journal and keep those journals on hand to look back and read to reflect on your growth. Get on stage as much as possible ESPECIALLY in atmospheres that are a bit difficult to test yourself and find out what you are capable of pulling out of yourself.

Nobody in particular did. But watching female comics such as Wanda Sykes, Sarah Silverman, and Sara Contreras assisted in swaying me to believe comedy is something I wanted to try.

I tell myself to write for at least five minutes a day. It doesn’t have to always end up with new bits, but maybe a new premise or tagline for an old joke. I try to have three new things (bit, idea, premise, tag, situation) to work on each day.