How to Write an Autobiography

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Committing your life story to paper doesn’t have to end in a book deal to be considered successful. What really matters is the insight you gain along the way.

Step 1: Start randomly
Jot down the memories that remain most vivid in your mind — even if they don’t seem significant. Chances are if you’ve remembered them all this time, they are the memories that are most meaningful to you.

Step 2: Review your notes
Review your notes to see if there is a theme to your memories. Many autobiographies have one.

Step 3: Organize your thoughts
Figure out how you want to organize your story. You don’t have to start at the beginning; you launch the book with a defining event, or even start with the present, and then go back in time. Or organize your life story according to themes.

Step 4: Talk to loved ones
Talk to friends and family members to fill in memory gaps and to gain different perspectives on your experiences.

Tip
Be aware that the stories you include about others could adversely affect your relationship with them. Consider changing their names to protect their identities.

Step 5: Be descriptive
Once you start writing, write descriptively. Don’t just chronicle the major events in your life; transport the reader with vivid accounts of how everything looked, smelled, felt, and sounded. Include dialogue: Snippets of conversations can really make memories come alive.

Step 6: Be honest
Above all, be honest. An autobiography won’t ring true to your readers — or be cathartic for you — if you don’t bare your soul.

Did You Know?
Actress Drew Barrymore wrote her autobiography, Little Girl Lost, when she was 14.

24 Replies to “How to Write an Autobiography”

  1. I want to write an honest memoir at age 38 but I’m sure it will cost me everything. My family, my job and possibly even my freedom.

  2. Well I'm about 8 years late but I'm planning on writing a book about my life as I'm only 14 and its been anything but ordinary. Had 5 surgeries by the age of 13 on my knees (2 at 8, another 2 at 12 and than 1 at 13), dignoised with POTS at 14, severe anxiety from major trauma, depression, a dash of PTSD, teenage parents(parents were teenagers when they had me) which caused money problems and a lot of fighting and growing up together, bullying from kids my age and a teacher, An eating disorder
    That's just the major stuff ???? hoping it becomes very successful and can help others who went through/are going through something or anything similar to me

  3. I’m writing an autobiography centered around being bisexual and agender; specifically the struggles and experiences associated with being bi and agender. It is ten chapters, and I am in the midst of writing the final chapter. (When I’m writing the final chapter was the perfect time to get writer’s block. Thanks a lot brain.) I plan to publish it when I graduate high school. I’m 13 years old, and I will be writing under a pen name. There will be 4 books in the series; a series I like to call “The Bigger Picture.” I hope I can inspire people to be more accepting of their gender and sexuality, and encourage others to accept everyone for who they are.

  4. I am watching this in an exam i have a bluetooth headphones my teacher dosnt notice

  5. How do I get permission to use my friend's real name in my book? Doesn't he have to sign some legal paper?

  6. Im writing an autobiography diary style, and im going to write an entry of every (intresting) day, (since you dont want to read the same thing over and over), and thats how i want to leave my mark on the world when im older, it will be a kind of if i die publish this kinda thing XD

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