How to Write the Perfect Autobiography

Family history can be passed down through generations with an autobiography.

A publicly published autobiography can inspire others, can throw a personal perspective on an important world event (such as a war, for instance) or can provide insight into particular professions such as politics or entertainment. When written for private use, an autobiography can become a treasured family heirloom that future generations refer to for social history or genealogical purposes. To write an autobiography, you need time, memories and a willingness to share the events of a lifetime.

Instructions

1. Brainstorm the most important or inspiring facts and moments from your life. Write lists or short narratives that relate to specific memories or important decisions. Speak to friends and relatives about their memories too as they might remember things differently. Look up newspaper articles in library archives to provide background information or social history, as setting your autobiography on the world stage adds depth and meaning.

2. Use the lists and narratives to organize the material into categories. Exactly what form the categories take depends on the scope of the autobiography, but consider time lines, types of event such as weddings or births, schooldays or career paths. Putting thoughts and events into categories will help to jog other memories.

3. Write the autobiography step by step, concentrating on just one of the events or memories at a time. Later, when a few memories have been written, go back to reread and add in any bits that are missing, anecdotes that would complete the event or even photographs to illustrate the time and occasion. An account of a pivotal moment would be a good introduction, with the following sections detailing what lead up to that moment. An autobiography can be written in either first or third person. Include dialogue and conflict to make the story come alive.

4. Get feedback on the autobiography by asking someone else to read it. They will be able to say where the story slows down, where more information is needed and how well it flows together.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared for lots of rewriting. First drafts are never perfect.

• Write the autobiography in any order. A lifetime does not need to be written in chronological order. Many writers write the introduction only after the autobiography is finished.

• Use mind mapping or clustering techniques to organize memories into themes.

References

• Writng Smart: How to Write an Autobiography
• Whole Life Story: Te Tips for Writing Your Own Life Story