Ryan Murphy on Comedy, Creativity, And Finding Stories In Life’s Most Unexpected Moments

Ryan Murphy, the award-winning author known for his sharp wit and unforgettable storytelling, continues to redefine comedy writing today.

Exploring Humor, Family, And The Art Of Storytelling

Ryan Murphy discusses his creative process, balancing humor and heart, tackling comedic challenges, and drawing inspiration from life’s quirks for works like How To Do (Almost) Anything and Misfortune Cookies.

Ryan Murphy has carved out a truly unique space in the literary landscape, and at Mosaic Digest, we are honored to shine a spotlight on this supremely talented wordsmith. With an impressive repertoire that spans short stories, humor columns, and memorable books, Murphy has a gift for transforming the everyday into the extraordinary. His ability to blend sharp wit, poignant insights, and a boundless imagination has earned him critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal readership.

As an author who can slip seamlessly into the roles of humorist, storyteller, and provocateur, Murphy has taken readers on unforgettable journeys, whether through laugh-out-loud anecdotes or the often hilarious but deeply relatable chaos of real life. His latest works, including Misfortune Cookies and How to Do (Almost) Anything, are testaments to his knack for finding humor and wisdom in the most unexpected corners of the human experience.

In this interview, Murphy opens up about the inspirations behind his most laugh-inducing projects, the challenges of crafting comedy, and the creativity that has driven him since his preschool days. For both fans and aspiring writers, his journey offers a masterclass in turning quirks, idiosyncrasies, and a sharp sense of humor into timeless, captivating storytelling. Mosaic Digest is thrilled to present this exclusive look into the mind of Ryan Murphy—an author whose words, much like a fortune cookie, leave us eagerly awaiting the next revelation.

Ryan Murphy is a masterful humorist who transforms life’s absurdities into brilliant, laugh-out-loud stories that captivate readers everywhere.

What inspired you to take on the unique concept behind Misfortune Cookies? 

My obsession with fortune cookies dates back to 1983, when my father took my family to King’s Palace in Halifax, Nova Scotia for my first of many Chinese meals. I liked the egg rolls and Pu Pu Platter well enough, but the main attraction were the curious moon-shaped treats that arrived with our bill. There were four in all – one for each of us.

I would love to tell you that I was instantly and irrevocably inspired by the first tiny little scroll I unfurled, but I honestly have no clue what the message was in my first fortune cookie because I ate it in a single bite without realizing there was a piece of paper hidden in the middle.

I have since eaten thousands of fortune cookies (along with a few more messages), and I still delight in revealing the secret prophesies that each contains. Yes, other desserts may be tastier and more refined, but when was the last time a meringue predicted your future?

What is your favourite misfortune cookie fortune that you’ve written and why? 

It’s hard picking just one from a collection of 600, but I’m fond of, “You will inadvertently buy a timeshare at a nudist colony.” It’s fun and silly but also lends itself to a slightly twisted story you can play out in your mind.

What was the most challenging part of writing How to Do (Almost) Anything? 

The research. Although some of my topics were light and fluffy, others brought me to my breaking point. I learned how to lie on a bed of nails, charm venomous snakes, and open bottles using parts of my body that are not fit to mention in print. I learned a thing or two in the process, including the fact that I shouldn’t write a sequel without updating my will first.

How do you decide which humorous topics to turn into books? 

I do a lot of brainstorming, of course, but I also listen closely to feedback from my readers. My memoir, My Life’s a Joke, came about because readers consistently told me how much they enjoyed my two most deeply personal stories from my previous work, How to Do (Almost) Anything.

Those stories, which detailed getting kicked off campus radio seven times, and starting my own cult (for fun, not profit!) had a very different tone from the rest of the book and almost didn’t make the cut. I decided to explore other funny incidents from my life, and it resulted in the most fulfilling work of my career.

Has your family ever been the inspiration for certain scenarios or anecdotes in your writing? 

Absolutely, although not always by choice. There’s a story I love from my memoir about how my older brother gave up an inside-the-park home run in a Little League game when he took a short-hopper to the groin and passed out on top of the ball. He hasn’t walked within 50-feet of a baseball diamond since.

What advice would you give to aspiring comedic writers who want to develop their own style? 

Find out what makes you unique. When I first began performing stand-up comedy, I was one of three 21-year-old college kids named Ryan who regularly performed at the same club. We all looked and sounded alike and could easily have done each other’s material without the audience ever catching on.

I soon realized I needed something – anything – to stand out so I ditched generic one-liners and instead began telling stories about my family and childhood. Audiences picked up on the authenticity of my material and could tell how much I cared about the stories I shared. The change wasn’t instantaneous, but it helped pave the way for a 15-year career and allowed me to become more than just another faceless joke teller.

Ask yourself what makes you different than anyone else and double down on those quirks and idiosyncrasies.

How do you deal with writer’s block or moments when the humour doesn’t come naturally? 

Many people think comedians are always “on” but that isn’t the case. As a humorist I’ve picked up dozens of different tools that I can draw upon in moments when I’m feeling less than inspired. From juxtaposition to irony to the “Rule of 3”, I have a plethora of tricks up my sleeve from years of writing and performing. Some days are better than others, but I’m never unprepared.

Can you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

I can. I was just four years old at the time but can vividly recall waking up in the middle of the night with a hilarious story fully formed in my mind. It had three-dimensional characters, a well-established narrative arc, and more twists and turns than a mining road. I reached for my doodle pad and oversized fire engine red crayon and wrote down every word while the idea was still fresh in my head. It was the first time I had been struck with an insatiable desire to create, and I couldn’t wait to show my parents my completed manuscript first thing in the morning. I wrote for what felt like an hour and then fell fast asleep with the nub of my crayon still clutched in my hand.

I awoke at 7:00 a.m. the next morning and excitedly looked at the 20 pages I had written just hours before. To my dismay, what I saw looked like a blueprint for the world’s most confounding traffic roundabout. It was page after page of mindless scribbles and wayward lines traversing and arching over each other. It was at that point it dawned upon me that I was still in preschool and had yet to master writing even my own name.

Fortunately, I didn’t let a little thing like illiteracy slow me down. I continued to dream up new stories and, over time, discovered how to transcribe them so they could be understood without the use of the Rosetta Stone.

How do you balance humour and meaningful commentary in your writing? 

Whether you’re writing a story or delivering a stand-up set, you need to hook your audience in right away. I believe in frontloading my content with jokes and humorous scenarios to engage my readers. Once I’ve entertained them and earned their trust, I can relax the pace and begin exploring meatier and more meaningful ideas.