Writing an Unreliable Narrator:
A Guide for Writers
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
An unreliable narrator is one of the most interesting techniques used in fiction writing. If you make your protagonist an unreliable narrator, it gives depth to stories, provides a unique perspective, and creates intrigue, dramatic story tension, mystery, and complexity. But how do you write an unreliable narrator? Let’s dive into some tips for crafting a captivating protagonist who might have something going on below the surface that will surprise and delight readers.
How to Write an Unreliable Narrator
The most important consideration when writing an unreliable narrator is to make sure that their unreliability is based on more than just lies or untruths. And it should be well motivated. They shouldn’t just randomly lie for the sake of lying or creating chaos. It’s important to add layers of complexity by having them question their own memories, beliefs, or even the very fabric of reality itself. For example, if your story has multiple timelines or parallel universes, having your narrator recognize discrepancies between them can lend additional depth to your overall story. Consider the film Everything Everywhere All At Once. The concept of “reality” is not what it seems.
It’s also important to consider the character development of your unreliable narrator. Make sure that they are flawed but sympathetic enough for readers to identify with them, even before we know they’re an unreliable narrator. They should win readers over before their story starts to show cracks and readers start to doubt them. This will help make it easier for readers to forgive any misjudgments or mistakes they may have made in the past and still be able to enjoy reading through your story.
Finally, make sure that you don't give too much away too quickly—especially if the unreliable narrator element is going to be your climatic reveal, don’t show your hand too early. It’s important to keep some details hidden until the end so that there are plenty of surprises along the way.
How to Pull Off an Unreliable Narrator
Finally, remember that no matter what type of story you are telling, it should still feel realistic and grounded in truth—even if the very idea of truth isn't always clear-cut. Your reader should feel like they can trust what they're reading, even though they know there might be inaccuracies due to your unreliable narrator's perspective or interpretation of events.
This means that you must stay true to whatever framework you've established in order for readers not only believe in your characters but forgive the discrepancies that are going to start cropping up. Unreliable narrators tend to work better in certain genres and categories as well, like mystery, thriller, and suspense. If your antagonist has a point of view in your story, it might be interesting to make them an unreliable narrator. Or have the protagonist turn into the unreliable narrator, making the antagonist the reliable one. That would be a fun twist or reversal.
Writing an unreliable narrator can be a great way to add depth and intrigue to a story while allowing the reader to experience an interesting journey. They will start by relating to the character, only to second-guess your point of view protagonist … or themselves. This stands to wrap the reader even more into the novel’s embrace.
To write an effective unreliable narrator, consider factors such as their credibility, complexity, character development, the reason they might be unreliable (hidden in their backstory), and trustworthiness before delving into the actual writing process itself. With these tips in mind—and a bit of practice—you'll soon have created an unforgettable narrative voice.
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