Writing Humour: How to make fiction funny
- Fiction Yogi
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
In this article we'll consider:
Why use humour in fiction?
Core techniques for writing humour
The role of timing
Common questions answered
Humour is a handy tool in any writer’s arsenal. Even if you’re crafting a dark mafia romance, a tense, gritty thriller, or an apocalyptic dystopia, a touch of humour can enhance your story and deepen characterization. How so? Because as in life, fiction needs balance.
Writing humour, though, isn’t just about “being funny”. It’s about timing, word choice, character dynamics, and knowing your audience.
In this short guide, we’ll explore how to write humour into your story, the different types of comedic techniques, and examples you can adapt to your own writing.
Why use humour in fiction?
Humour isn’t only for comedy novels—it can serve multiple purposes in any genre:
Breaks tension: A witty remark after a dramatic scene gives readers a chance to take a breath.
Deepens characterization: Quirky humour reveals personality more effectively than description alone.
Engages readers: People remember stories that make them feel something—which includes those that make them laugh.
Creates contrast: Humour in dark settings can make emotional beats hit harder.
Think of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series: even while dealing with philosophical questions and political satire, the humour keeps readers hooked.
5 Core techniques for writing humour
1. Exaggeration (hyperbole)
Pushing an ordinary situation to an absurd extreme.
In the Anchorman movies, Ron Burgundy’s over-the-top confidence and ridiculous statements exaggerate real-world egos to the point of hilarity.
In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, the destruction of Earth is treated like a minor inconvenience compared to missing lunch.
Fictional examples:
His smile was so wide it looked like he’d dislocated his jaw just to impress her.
He ran so fast you’d think a dragon was chasing him—oh wait, there was.
Kelly had three more things on her list to do before lunch—file her tax return, buy bananas from the grocer on the corner, and save London from annihilation.
2. Understatement
Downplaying the obvious or serious, often in a dry or deadpan style.
In Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Black Knight loses all his limbs in battle and simply declares, “It’s just a flesh wound.”
In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mr Bennet often uses understatement to mock his family’s drama; like calmly noting, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?”
Fictional examples:
After a dragon burns down a village, a character mutters, “Well… that escalated quickly.”
“That stain will never come out,” a detective says at the scene of a brutal murder.
“I suppose that’s one way to redecorate,” after a wizard blows up half a castle.
3. Wordplay and puns
Clever use of language, double meanings, or witty turns of phrase.
In Shrek, Donkey’s constant wordplay (“We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning... I’m making waffles!”) adds layers of humour for both kids and adults.
Shakespeare was a master of puns, especially in Much Ado About Nothing, where characters spar with wordplay as a form of flirtation and rivalry.
Fictional examples:
I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
I tried to catch fog yesterday. Mist.
Gerald asked for a room with a view. They gave him a front-row seat to construction of Chuck's Chicken House, Coming Soon!
4. Character contrast
Pairing different personas; such as serious characters with playful or sarcastic ones.
Sherlock Holmes' intense, analytical obsessions are a (comical) source of exasperation for Watson's practical, everyman perspective.
In Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, the no-nonsense City Watch commander Sam Vimes constantly clashes with Carrot, an overly idealistic (and ridiculously literal) young officer.
Fictional examples:
A grim, stoic knight travelling with a sarcastic, chatterbox bard.
A cynical detective solving cases with an overly enthusiastic rookie.
A moody prince confined to a castle with a practical joker maiden.
5. Situational humour
Letting the scene itself create the comedy.
In Home Alone, Kevin setting traps for the burglars creates escalating situational comedy—the humour comes from the setup, not just the dialogue.
In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Gilderoy Lockhart accidentally erases his own memory during a duel.
Fictional examples:
A thief breaking into a castle only to discover another thief already there, mid-burglary.
A vampire struggling at a blood donation drive because he faints at needles.
The bridegroom making it to the church just in the nick of time—the wrong church.
The role of timing in delivering humour
Like in stand-up comedy, timing is everything in writing. A punchline that arrives too late loses impact; one that comes too soon feels jarring. In prose, timing comes down to:
Sentence rhythm: Depending on the humour you're projecting, long sentences can work, but short, snappy sentences are useful for delivering punchlines.
Paragraph breaks: White space can act like a comedic pause before the punchline.
Scene placement: Dropping humour after a tense climax can heighten both emotions.
Fictional examples:
The orc roared, lifting his axe high. Everyone braced for doom. Then, in the weighted silence, a button pinged from his waistband and his trousers fell to his ankles.
The candlelit dinner he'd prepared so meticulously for her was marred only by the shriek of the smoke alarm moments after they'd sat down to eat—and of course the sprinklers that neither of them could figure out how to turn off.
The stakeout had been uneventful. At some point he'd fallen asleep. He must have done. Because he woke to his mark lightly tapping on the car window and holding up a mug with Kindness Never Killed Anyone emblazoned across it. A regular hero.
Common questions about writing humour
Q: How do you add humour to a serious story?
Focus on moments of levity rather than constant jokes. Use witty dialogue, character quirks, or small absurdities to lighten the mood without undermining serious themes. For example, in a tense fantasy battle, a character might complain about their boots being uncomfortable—breaking the tension just enough.
Q: What makes a character funny in fiction?
Funny characters often have unique perspectives or exaggerated traits. A pessimist who expects the worst, a chatterbox who never stops talking, or a naïve optimist can all bring humour. The key is consistency—let their humour come from who they are, not random punchlines.
Q: Can humour work in any genre?
Yes. As we've already mentioned, even horror, thrillers, and dramas can benefit from comic relief. Humour breaks tension, makes characters feel more real, and provides emotional contrast that intensifies dramatic moments and/or allows readers to take a breath. Think of how Stephen King often uses banter and sarcasm in his horror novels. In real life we sometimes turn to humour to offer relief in difficult moments—fictional characters are no different.
Q: How do you know if your humour works?
Read your scene aloud. If it makes you smile or laugh, it’s likely effective. You can also test it with beta readers. If the humour feels forced or distracts from the story, scale it back. Good humour should feel natural to the characters and situation.
Q: What are common mistakes to avoid when writing humour?
Avoid overloading scenes with constant jokes, forcing punchlines that don’t fit, or relying on stereotypes. Good humour should serve the story and characters, not derail them.
Q: Do I need to be a “funny person” to write humour?
Not at all. Writing humour is a skill like any other. By studying comic timing, reading humorous authors, and practising with different techniques (like exaggeration, understatement, or situational comedy), you can develop your own comic voice.
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Finally...
Adding humour to your novel doesn’t mean you need to write a full comedy. Instead, think of it as seasoning. Used thoughtfully, it makes your story richer and your characters more lovable. Whether through witty dialogue, comic timing, or absurd situations, humour strengthens emotional engagement—the secret sauce of a memorable book.
Remember: laughter is universal—but the way you write it can make your story one-of-a-kind.
Tina Williams of Fiction Yogi is an editor who works with writers at all stages, giving them the tools to improve their manuscript and level up their writing so they can meet their publishing goals.
