How to Write a Literary Parody
By Eleanor Hayes, writer & literary editor · Updated 23 May 2026
Parody is one of the most enjoyable ways to become a better writer. To imitate a voice well, you must first hear it precisely — and that close listening sharpens everything you write afterwards. Here is how to do it well.
Why write parody?
A good parody is a love letter disguised as a joke. It proves you have read a writer closely enough to reproduce their music, then bent it for comic effect. That is why parody contests like the Bad Hemingway tradition are secretly serious craft exercises — and why the skill transfers straight into your own original prose.
Five steps to a good parody
- Choose a target with a strong voice. The more distinctive the style, the easier to parody — which is why Hemingway is a favourite.
- Map the signature habits. Read a few pages and list the writer's tics: sentence length, favourite words, punctuation, recurring images.
- Pick the two or three that matter most. Restraint wins; you don't need every habit at once.
- Build a real, tiny scene. A parody still needs a story — a moment with a beginning and an end — not just a heap of mannerisms.
- Land a turn. End with a punchline, an inversion or a sudden tenderness that rewards the reader who got the reference.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Trying too hard. Cramming in every cliché reads as panic. More is not funnier.
- Forgetting the story. Mannerisms alone bore quickly; give us a scene.
- Mockery without affection. The warmest parodies are the ones that clearly love their target.
For exactly what judges reward in a contest, read what makes a finalist; for the practical side of entering, see our writing contests guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you start writing a parody?
Choose a writer with a strong, recognisable voice, read a few pages closely, and list their signature habits. Then pick the two or three most distinctive and build a small scene around them.
What makes a parody funny rather than flat?
A real little story, restraint (a few well-placed touches rather than every cliché), and a satisfying turn at the end — all delivered with affection for the original.
Does writing parody improve your own writing?
Yes. Imitating a voice forces close reading and attention to rhythm and word choice, which carries directly into sharper original prose.