How to Write Funny Stories: Tips for Writing Comedy

Writing humor is often one of the trickiest skills to master. It’s not just about being naturally funny—though that helps—it’s about learning how to translate humor onto the page. Timing, tone, character, pacing… all of it matters. And the kicker? Humor is subjective. What makes one person laugh out loud might leave another completely unfazed.

But here’s the good news: writing comedy is a craft. That means it’s something you can study, practice, and improve. You don’t need to be a stand-up comic or class clown to add humor to your novel. You just need the right tools and a willingness to experiment.

Let’s dig into how to write funny stories that resonate with readers, no matter your genre.

What makes something funny?

At its core, comedy is about surprise and truth. We laugh when something catches us off guard or shines a light on a relatable (often uncomfortable) reality.

Humor writing can take a lot of forms, including:

• Situational comedy – the absurdity or awkwardness of a situation
• Character-driven humor – funny quirks, reactions, or contradictions in a character
• Wordplay and puns – language-based humor (yes, groan-worthy ones count!)
• Satire or sarcasm – humor that pokes fun at societal norms or human behavior
• Physical or visual humor – exaggerated movements or pratfalls (yes, this can work in prose!)
• Absurdism – humor that thrives in chaos or surreal moments
• Dark comedy – humor that finds laughter in grim, morbid, or taboo topics, often highlighting the absurdity of serious situations.

You don’t have to master every type to be a comedy writer. Start noticing what makes you laugh, and study how writers build that moment on the page.

Tips for comedy writing

Know your voice and your audience

Different readers laugh at different things. A middle-grade reader won’t appreciate the same type of humor as an adult reading sharp literary satire. That doesn’t mean you need to censor yourself; it just means you should know who you’re writing for.

Do you tend to write dry, observational humor? Slapstick? Witty banter? Embrace your comedic voice and tailor it to your genre.

For example, Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, uses absurdist, deadpan humor that makes sci-fi fans chuckle at the randomness of space travel. Meanwhile, Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary leans into awkward, self-deprecating internal monologue and romantic mishaps. Both are funny. Both use humor differently. And both know their audience.

Let your characters be funny

Your narrator doesn’t need to carry all the laughs. One of the best ways to make a story genuinely funny is to let your characters create the comedy through their actions, dialogue, and personality quirks.

Think about a perfectionist detective who can’t stand messes but works in forensics, a romantic hero who’s suave on paper but trips over every attempt at flirting, or a villain who keeps getting foiled by ridiculous accidents (and insists they meant to do that).

Consider these lines from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: 

“You know," said Arthur, "it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young."
"Why, what did she tell you?"
"I don't know, I didn't listen.”

When humor arises naturally from who a character is and how they react to the world, it feels authentic and unexpected.

Use dialogue and banter

Witty dialogue is a hallmark of great comedy. But crafting good banter takes more than clever lines—it’s about rhythm, timing, and contrast between characters.

For example, Leigh Bardugo often incorporates humor into the dialogue of her Six of Crows duology: 

“Has anyone noticed this whole city is looking for us, mad at us, or wants to kill us?"
"So?" said Kaz.
"Well, usually it's just half the city.”

The dialogue between Kaz and his crew throughout the two books shows the reader the contrasting personalities of each character while providing much-needed levity during tense, high-stakes scenes.

When writing funny dialogue:

• Keep it snappy. Short exchanges build momentum.
• Avoid over-explaining. Trust the reader to get the joke.
• Let characters bounce off each other. Humor often comes from how people clash or misunderstand.

While writing, read your dialogue aloud. If it makes you laugh, it’s probably working!

Comedy works best with contrast

You don’t have to write a full-on comedy to use humor effectively. In fact, mixing comedy and drama can make both sides more powerful. The laughter gives the serious moments breathing room, and the emotional depth makes the jokes hit harder. That’s why many of the best funny stories have an undercurrent of truth: grief, fear, awkwardness, or longing.

For example, in Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Eleanor’s deadpan narration is hilarious in parts, but beneath the humor is a quiet exploration of loneliness and trauma. The contrast makes the story richer and more moving.

Revise for rhythm

Comedy is all about timing, and timing is all about editing. That brilliant punchline might not land until you trim a sentence or move a line break. Don’t be afraid to rewrite a joke five times to get it right.

Here are some tips for editing your funny scenes:

• Tighten everything. Cut extra words. Jokes are sharper when they’re short.
• Save the punch for last. End sentences or paragraphs on the funniest line.
• Kill the over-explaining. If you have to explain the joke, it’s not working.
• Remove clichés. How can you subvert the expected to make something fresh and new?

Comedy might feel spontaneous, but the best funny moments are often carefully, painstakingly crafted in revision.

To get a good idea of rhythm in comedy, consider checking out stand-up comedy specials or late-night talk show monologues. These comedians have a specific way of communicating. Often, it involves a lot of narrative with funny observations, and the payoff usually makes it even funnier.

Ready to craft funny stories?

Not every joke will land. That’s okay! The more you write humor, the better you’ll get at it.

Try different styles. Play with voice. Let your characters surprise you. Whether you're writing a full-blown rom-com, a mystery with comic relief, or a sweeping sci-fi epic with a sarcastic narrator, humor can elevate your storytelling and help readers connect to your characters on a deeper level. So get writing—and don’t forget to laugh along the way!