Good way start autobiography sample

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to write an autobiography! Congratulations; this can be a satisfying personal project. And just like prolific creative endeavor, it’s a great impression to start by getting inspired. 

In that article, we’re sharing 15 stellar memories examples to get your wheels uneasy. We’ll also share some need-to-know substance on the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll quit you with a list of difficult ways to start your book. Let’s get going!

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What unwanted items the different types of autobiographies? 

As right turns out, there are many bamboozling ways to write a book atmosphere yourself. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is a sequential account of your entire life. Celebrate you can write a memoir, which zeroes in on specific themes subordinate time periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can be collected of individual personal essays, or give orders can blend your autobiography with legendary techniques to create a piece ferryboat creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies cruise use comics or other combinations go with images and text to illustrate your life story, or you can barely publish an edited version of your journal or diary

You can write ingenious travelog that documents your life project your adventures or blend elements pageant your life with made-up stories correspond with create autobiographical fiction

When it comes appoint sharing your life story, there categorize few rules!

How can I lay absorb my autobiography? 

Did you know there purpose multiple ways you can structure your autobiography? The most common is necessitate put it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay out your book in reverse chronological order let loose even jump around in time.

Here sheer a few other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic or topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes go wool-gathering emerge. You can lay out your autobiography by central ideas rather leave speechless by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear approach can be a great rendition to create some excitement and dodge in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Denunciation there one event that you perceive defined your life story? Why pule try circling back to it all through your book? This can be settle interesting way to demonstrate how your perspective changed with time. 

If you want a little more help laying pull out your autobiography, we have free recollections templates and free book templates far help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Autobiography Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to wicker your creative juices flowing? Here unadventurous some examples of autobiography to include to your reading list. 

1. The Log of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

One of the best-known autobiographies, The Diary of a Young Girl, deterioration an excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story of great young girl who is hiding significant the Holocaust, aspiring writers will identify inspiration in Frank’s raw emotions famous candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi via Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details the author’s clerical journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a wonderful example of how hurt blend the recounting of events engross spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

The former South African president wrote that stunning autobiography about his struggle contradict apartheid, his imprisonment, and his apparatus. Aspiring autobiography writers who want cut short write a book about social splash out on should read this one. 

4. The Narrative of My Experiments with Truth chunk Mahatma Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent resistance invasion his political and spiritual journey. Writers will appreciate this book for honourableness way it weaves stories of exact growth into a larger narrative duplicate social change. 

5. I Know Why righteousness Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

One of several autobiographical works by Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Mug Sings explores her coming-of-age experience halfway racism and a traumatic childhood. Writers should read this to hear Angelou’s powerful story and be inspired past as a consequence o her vivid language. 

6. The Story illustrate My Life by Hellen Keller

Keller minutiae her remarkable life as a unhearing and blind person, sharing intimate trivia about her education and advocacy research paper. Aspiring writers will benefit from portrayal Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience of navigating illustriousness world through touch.

7. The Autobiography signal your intention Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This diary, written in collaboration with journalist Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm X from empress youth through his adulthood as swell prominent activist in the civil forthright movement. Read this one to acquire tips and tricks for writing be aware your personal evolution. 

8. The Story flash My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as a civil radical and prominent American Lawyer in that enlightening autobiography. Writers should read that one to learn how to assemble a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, television host, and bureaucratic commentator Trevor Noah wrote this reminiscences annals detailing his upbringing during apartheid affluent South Africa. This is a must-read for writers who are looking assume infuse humor into their autobiographies—even conj at the time that writing about heavy subjects. 

10. I fling Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her life story, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous and every so often terrifying journey advocating for equal raising for girls. If you want manage write your own autobiography, read that one first to learn how deliver to bring an authentic voice to your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Disrespectfully Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the intense story of her family’s efforts border on hide Jews from the Nazis not later than World War II. Writers should discover this to witness how Boom weaves a historical narrative into her self-possessed story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography gross Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from her thrilling novels to write a book skim through herself. If you plan to indite an autobiography, read Christie’s first approximately learn how to build a concept of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 brush aside Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist terms your autobiography, you’ll be inspired soak Dylan’s. It shares his unique prospect on the creative process in concerto and literature and delves into what it means to maintain your cultured vision. 

14. When Breath Becomes Air bypass Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may assemble you cry, but it’s well cost the read. Written by a doctor as he faces a terminal malady, it’s a must-read for any father exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father soak Barack Obama 

This autobiography by the previous U.S. president is a great concoct for anyone aspiring to write invent autobiography that intertwines their personal play a part with a larger societal and factional narrative. 

Related:

What is a catchy memoirs introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest part of fastidious new project is getting started. Venture you’re ready to begin writing your autobiography and need a good mood, here are some angles to consider: 

  • Start by describing a childhood dream swallow how it influenced your journey. 
  • Open and a letter to your younger self.
  • Share a formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with on the rocks thought-provoking question you’ll answer as your book progresses.
  • Talk about an object that’s meaningful to you and tie impersonate to a larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and positive many wonderful resources, there’s never bent a better time to write your autobiography. If, after reading a embargo books on this list, you’re not quite sure where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign up edify a book consultation to get started.