What’s the best approach to writing an effective unreliable narrator?

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What’s the best approach to writing an effective unreliable narrator?

Asked on Nov 15, 2025

Answer

An unreliable narrator can add depth and intrigue to your story by creating tension and ambiguity. To write an effective unreliable narrator, focus on how their perspective skews the narrative and how this affects the reader's perception of events and other characters.

Example Concept: An unreliable narrator distorts the truth, either intentionally or unintentionally, affecting the reader's understanding of the story. This technique relies on subtle inconsistencies, biased viewpoints, or gaps in the narrative that prompt readers to question the narrator's credibility and piece together the truth themselves.

Additional Comment:

Consider why the narrator is unreliable: Are they deceitful, delusional, or simply naive?
Use hints and clues to suggest the narrator's unreliability without overtly stating it.
Balance the narrator's perspective with other characters' viewpoints or external events to highlight discrepancies.
Maintain consistency in the narrator's voice to keep readers engaged and invested in uncovering the truth.

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