There are many story reasons explaining why your MC may be an unreliable narrator. They might struggle with mental illness or substance abuse, or they’ve been told lies about their life or the world. They might be hiding a secret or be unwilling to face an uncomfortable truth.
Another major reason is personal trauma. In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Lisa Hall-Wilson outlines the various ways a tragic background could cause your hero to alter, misinterpret, or withhold information. “Trauma rewires the brain and causes disordered thinking,” Hall-Wilson writes. “So, if you’re looking for a way to show a character’s trauma background, to show the what behind poor choices, irrational behavior, etc., use internal dialogue that reflects this disordered thinking.”
Some examples of an unreliable narrator’s skewed thinking:
- Constant concern about fear and safety. Characters who have survived trauma will spend more time overcoming fear and considering their personal safety than those who have not. “A brain preoccupied with staying safe will see danger around every corner – literally, whether that’s the reality or not,” Hall-Wilson says. Does your character constantly survey their surroundings, insist on facing doors, avoid elevators?
- Decisions aren’t based on fact or reality. Often, people who have suffered trauma will base their decisions on what course of action is most likely to help them avoid repeating that trauma, regardless of whether that action makes logical sense.
- Viewing life as black or white. Disoriented thinking often divides the world into two camps, without room for nuance or subtlety.
- Their inner voice is an asshole. Traumatized people – such as those who experienced abusive childhoods – often keep their abusers close at hand, within their own thoughts. Regardless of the truthfulness of their thoughts, characters will trash talk themselves into making certain choices.
- Boring is safe. Predictability – even predictable pain – is better than facing the unknown. Because your MC has already survived what they know, they have an illusion of control over those repeating patterns. Trying something new creates a risk they will encounter something they can’t handle.
