Writing a Memoir: What Remarkably Bright Creatures Can Teach Us About Characters That Engage Readers
In memoir writing, crafting compelling characters is an essential skill. While memoirs are grounded in truth and personal experience, the techniques used to bring characters to life are often inspired by fiction. One unexpected yet profound source of inspiration is the novel Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Though this book is not a memoir—and one of its most unforgettable characters is an octopus—its success offers valuable lessons for memoir writers seeking to create characters who engage, move, and inspire readers. Let’s explore how Remarkably Bright Creatures can provide instruction and inspiration for memoirists, particularly regarding characterization, the narrator’s role, and drawing readers into your story.
The Power of an Unforgettable Character
Remarkably Bright Creatures captivates readers largely because of Marcellus, the octopus. Marcellus is not only unique—he’s intelligent, observant, and surprisingly curmudgeonly—but he also displays a sense of agency within the limited boundaries of his aquarium.
Here’s what memoir writers can learn from this: your characters, especially your narrator (usually you, the protagonist), need to be vivid, relatable, and multi-dimensional. While memoirs are rooted in real life, the people in them must have the kind of depth that makes them leap off the page.
Marcellus reminds us that a character doesn’t need to be perfect to be likable. In fact, his imperfections, quirks, and occasional grouchiness make us care for him all the more. In memoir, your narrator and other figures should feel equally authentic. This means embracing not only your strengths but also your vulnerabilities, mistakes, and limitations. Imperfections humanize us and invite the reader to connect.
Crafting the Narrator: The Memoir Protagonist
In memoir, the narrator—your voice—typically serves as the central character. To engage readers, your narrative must convey authenticity, relatability, and emotional depth. Here’s how:
1. Be Vulnerable
Think of memoirs that stick with you. They aren’t just filled with triumphs; they reveal failures, heartbreaks, and insecurities. Sharing your struggles and your unique perspective helps readers to empathize and root for you. Vulnerability isn’t about oversharing; it’s about being honest in portraying your experiences and emotions.
2. Show Agency
Like Marcellus, your narrator needs to demonstrate agency—even in constrained or difficult circumstances. What actions are you taking? What choices did you make, and how did those choices shape your story? Showing that version of yourself—flawed but actively striving—is key to engaging readers.
3. Reveal Growth
A successful memoir shows change over time. Whether it’s personal growth, a new understanding, or overcoming an obstacle, readers want to see evolution in the protagonist. Like Marcellus, the octopus, who keeps surprising us with small revelations and his evolving interactions with others, you as a narrator should reveal different aspects of yourself throughout the memoir.
Developing Secondary Characters
In addition to the narrator, secondary characters in memoir are vital to the story’s depth and tension. Remarkably Bright Creatures offers an important lesson in this: while Marcellus steals the spotlight, the other human characters have arcs of their own, making the novel rich and multidimensional.
For memoirists, remember that even antagonists in your story deserve a nuanced portrayal. Rarely are people entirely good or entirely bad. Adding complexity to these relationships will make your narrative more compelling.
Here are a few tips for creating strong secondary characters:
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Provide Backstory Gradually
Just as Marcellus’s backstory is revealed little by little, so too can you unveil the history and motivations of key figures in your memoir. This keeps readers curious and engaged. -
Capture Their Humanity
Even if someone hurt you deeply, explore who they are beyond their actions. What were their strengths, their vulnerabilities, or blind spots? Did they mean harm, or were they struggling with their own challenges? Portraying people with nuance will help readers connect with your story on a deeper level. -
Highlight Their Impact
Secondary characters should always serve the story. Show how their presence impacts you, drives conflict, or leads to moments of insight.
How Quirks and Contradictions Deepen Connection
One reason we’re drawn to Marcellus is his contradictions. He’s wise but cranky, mischievous yet compassionate. Similarly, in your memoir, lean into quirks and contradictions when portraying yourself and others. Perhaps you were stubborn yet hopeful, brave but insecure. These complexities make characters feel real and relatable.
Pacing Character Development
With Marcellus, Van Pelt masterfully uses pacing to draw readers in. By slowly revealing details about Marcellus’s life, she builds intrigue and affection. You can do this, too, in your memoir. Avoid dumping every piece of backstory in the first few chapters. Instead, allow your characters’ layers to unfold naturally over time as the narrative progresses. This keeps your readers invested and eager to learn more.
The Memoirist’s Takeaway
Remarkably Bright Creatures may not be a memoir, but it offers poignant lessons for memoir writers. Bring complexity to your characters, reveal their flaws and strengths, and take your time unveiling their full stories. Remember that the narrator, often you, should be a fully realized protagonist with agency, vulnerability, and growth. Secondary characters, too, must have depth and interact meaningfully with your story.
Writing a memoir is about connecting with your readers through the authenticity and humanity of your characters. If you can make them care about you, your triumphs, and your challenges in the same way Van Pelt made us care for Marcellus the octopus, then you will have written something truly memorable.
Are You Ready to Write Your Story?
If you’re eager to dive deeper into crafting unforgettable characters and mastering the art of memoir writing, consider taking The Complete Memoir Course by Jack Walker Press. This comprehensive course will teach you how to structure your story, develop compelling characters, and engage your readers from start to finish.
Your unique story deserves to be told—and told well. Let us help you write it in the most compelling way possible.
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