I've had chats with well over a dozen major headliners on this and related subjects tied to SHOWMANSHIP and what it means to "Create an Act" and the summation to these discussions can be seen in my signature;
If We Are But Actors Playing a Part, Why Aren't We Taught About Theater and Acting Before Learning Our First Card Trick?
We lie to ourselves in that very few of us are interested in learning the magic behind magic; it's perfectly fine to ask a kid for his hand and then say, "
NO, the Clean One" or asking that young lady from the audience that's holding your linking rings, "
Do you mind giving me a ring?" and implying a phone call vs. the metal rings she's holding. . . cute but lewd and at least 50 years out of sync with the times.
Writing a script is not easily done by one's self, the reason why so many comics get paid to write lines for other people including their competition (and you thought magic was expensive). But putting outside eyes onto your project will allow you to develop a superior product . . . so long as those that are looking in on the project KNOW YOU and the goal you have as a performer and can give you some honest assistance in getting there.
The script is vital but delivery of the script is at least three times more challenging; George Carlin had a routine about the word "Duck" and how using that word as a tie-in to a story could make it funny, same goes with Penguins in that Ducks & Penguins are quite peculiar fellows -- they can be funny just because of what they are but when the right lines are penned around them and the performer learns how to pace their patter, the mere suggestion of either fowl entity can put the audience on the floor.
So we now have two key points tied to the value of scripting and keeping material fresh and tied to you. You don't want to be like Copperfield and steal someone's act word for word (David did
Terry Seabrook's Burnt Bill Monte routine word for word from Terry's script on National TV, including the gag trademark "here's a sugar" gag Terry is known for . . . the situations culminated in a rather curious turn of events at the Magic Castle one evening, but we'll not get into the gory details). I bring this up however, for two reasons;
a.) if you're going to steal someone's material, at least change the patter and presentation around so you don't meet up with a right cross;
b.) if you're going to do an effect, claim it! Make it YOUR EFFECT and don't mimic someone else.
It's tough to do sometimes, especially when you enjoy a particular person's style because it's so much like your own vision of a character. Bob Cassidy is one of my big hurdles because we think alike let alone having a similar sense of dry humor, etc. but with some effort and outside critique/direction, it's not impossible to escape that situation. We must be willing however, to listen and act on such guidance.
This is a great booster shot (the video) I think folks should watch it a few dozen times so the message sinks in.