Writing Character in Memoir vs. Mystery Fiction

When we sit down to write, the word character means very different things depending on whether we’re telling our own story or inventing someone else’s. Understanding that difference can sharpen our prose and deepen our reader’s connection.

Characters in Memoir: Living People on the Page

In memoir, your “characters” are real people — yourself, family, friends, strangers you’ve met who left an imprint. Because they are real, you must approach them with honesty and nuance.

• Complexity matters: No one is purely villain or hero. A mother who feels stifling in one chapter may be protective in another.
• Voice is memory-driven: How you remember someone — the details of their gestures, the sound of their voice — makes them vivid.
• Ethics are in play: Memoirists must balance truth with respect. What you choose to reveal (or leave unsaid) is part of your storytelling responsibility.

Characters in Mystery Fiction: The Engine of the Story

In mystery, characters are designed to serve both emotional truth and the machinery of plot. Unlike memoir, you can create them to withhold secrets, mislead the reader, or embody themes.

• Function matters: A detective may embody curiosity and skepticism, while a suspect may conceal fear or guilt. Each role advances the mystery.
• Arcs drive suspense: Readers expect change. A protagonist who begins naïve may grow sharper, more resilient, or more haunted as the story unfolds.
• Backstory fuels motive: A convincing mystery character is never just a pawn; their history explains why they hide, lie, or reveal.

The Overlap

In both genres, the best characters are specific and authentic. Whether you’re describing your brother’s offbeat humor or inventing a schoolteacher with a secret, the goal is the same: make them feel alive, so the reader leans in.