What are the first words that come to mind when someone mentions The Princess Bride?
I’d bet it’s either, “Inconceivable!” or “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya…” Am I right? But this is Buttercup and Wesley’s story. Regardless, we all latch on to those phrases because Inigo, Vizzini, and Fezzik are fantastic characters.
If you’ve only seen the movie, I highly recommend reading The Princess Bride novel by William Goldman, which delves deeper into each of those characters’ backgrounds.
To tell a great story, you need a likable protagonist. A cool antagonist is a big plus, too. But the best stories incorporate artfully written characters throughout — even if they’re only in the story for a short while.
The same is true for memoirs. While your memoir is focused on you, those fun, relatable secondary characters help bring your story into focus and give it more depth.
The Impact of Secondary Characters
A memoir, by definition, is a collection of your shared memories and experiences. That makes you the central character. Everyone else is secondary at best. They might be family members, mentors, adversaries, friends, or even strangers who made a lasting impression.
Ronit Plank — memoirist, instructor, editor, and host of the Let’s Talk Memoir podcast — says:
“In memoir, the memoirist writes as both the character-I and the narrator-I, or, as Sue William Silverman describes, the Voice of Innocence and the Voice of Experience. The other characters in the memoir are there to show the memoirist in relationship and help highlight their patterns and behavior as they embark on their journey of self-discovery.”
As you think about your story, consider some of the most pivotal moments. Chances are, you weren’t completely alone. Someone was there cheering you on — or maybe challenging you.
Great secondary characters act like mirrors. They reveal your beliefs, habits, fears, and growth to the reader.
Reflective Depth Through Others
You heard it in grade school, and you’ve probably heard it in every writing class since: Show, don’t tell.
Here’s the good news: secondary characters are a great tool to help you do exactly that.
For example, in The Liars’ Club, Mary Karr’s mother, Charlie, is a pivotal figure — volatile and inspiring at the same time. Through her actions, we see Mary’s growth.
In The Tender Bar, Uncle Charlie and JR’s father both serve as role models — one present and imperfect, the other distant and idealized. JR must eventually reconcile the father he longs for with the one who’s actually there.
Plank agrees with the importance of using secondary characters to add meaning to your memoir:
“When memoirists offer context or backstory for another character’s behavior and have the courage to put difficult events into scene so readers can witness what has occurred and decide for themselves how they feel about the conflicts, the emotional arc of the narrative intensifies and the story comes to life. It is the other characters bumping up against the character-1 — as well as the character-1’s outlook and belief system — that help propel a memoir and make it a page-turner.”
No one is all good or all bad — or all anything. People have depth. Your characters should, too.
Maybe your mom was overly critical of your appearance, but she also made homemade soup when you were sick. Showing both sides makes her feel real.
Writing compelling memoir characters means capturing the contradictions that make us human.
Techniques to Showcase Secondary Characters
So how do you actually write real people into your memoir?
Start with the intimate details.
What did your father always carry in his pockets? What was your best friend’s guilty pleasure snack? Those small touches stick with readers.
And just like your own story has an arc, some of your secondary characters should, too.
“Often the people who have caused us the most pain are the trickiest to humanize,” Plank says. “But when we do that work, we will engage readers and tap into their empathy even more.”
Show a change. Maybe your mother went from disapproving to proud. Maybe your best friend drifted away after college. Even subtle shifts carry emotional weight.
Plank also suggests a useful exercise:
“If finding empathy for a character is tough, a good way to begin is for the memoirist to write of a time they themselves feel they let someone — or themselves — down or acted poorly. That may help you find a common thread.”
Here are some additional ideas:
- Write a scene where the side character surprised you.
- Describe them doing something mundane — but make it meaningful.
- Explore their backstory, even if you don’t include all of it in the final manuscript.
Your secondary characters are not just plot devices. Write with empathy and curiosity.
“We all have wounds,” says Plank. When you write from that place, readers connect.
Balancing Spotlight and Support
Your memoir is your story. Including well-written secondary characters doesn’t take the focus away — it sharpens it.
Before you bring a side character into your story, pause and ask:
- What role did they play in your journey?
- Did they challenge you?
- Change your thinking?
- Illuminate a belief you no longer hold?
If they don’t move the story or theme forward, they may be better left in your personal journal.
And don’t fall into the trap of thinking more is better.
One well-crafted scene — like a tense conversation with a boss who finally pushed you to speak your mind — can carry more weight than a drawn-out recap of your entire career.
You’re not writing a report. You’re telling a story. Give the reader just enough to connect the dots and feel the shift. Then keep moving.
Bringing It Full Circle (Yes, with a Sword Fight)
Let’s go back to The Princess Bride for a second. Inigo Montoya isn’t just there for laughs. He’s driven. He’s layered. He’s navigating grief, revenge, and purpose. And somehow, his story makes Wesley’s story even stronger.
Take Inigo out of the mix, and the whole thing feels a little flatter.
That’s exactly what great secondary characters can do in your memoir.
They shape your journey. They expose your flaws, your growth, your turning points.
They remind readers that nobody figures it all out alone.
If you’re not sure how to write real people into your story — or how to keep the focus where it belongs — that’s where a good partner comes in. A seasoned memoir ghostwriter can help you bring those voices in without losing your own.
| Need help writing your memoir? Contact us today to learn more about our ghostwriting services. Let us help bring you story to life. |
