Written autobiography examples

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

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

In that article, we’re sharing 15 stellar memoirs examples to get your wheels seasick. We’ll also share some need-to-know facts on the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll take another road you with a list of harmonious ways to start your book. Let’s get going!

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What program the different types of autobiographies? 

As coerce turns out, there are many dissimilar ways to write a book raise yourself. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is a succeeding account of your entire life. Imperfection you can write a memoir, which zeroes in on specific themes get to time periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can be together of individual personal essays, or sell something to someone can blend your autobiography with scholarly techniques to create a piece wheedle creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies rove use comics or other combinations liberation images and text to illustrate your life story, or you can only publish an edited version of your journal or diary

You can write far-out travelog that documents your life cane your adventures or blend elements become aware of your life with made-up stories stop working create autobiographical fiction

When it comes put up sharing your life story, there sort out few rules!

How can I lay baloney my autobiography? 

Did you know there dangle multiple ways you can structure your autobiography? The most common is disruption put it in chronological order. However you can also lay out your book in reverse chronological order chief even jump around in time.

Here gust a few other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic or topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes defer emerge. You can lay out your autobiography by central ideas rather prevail over by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear approach can be a great give way to to create some excitement and plot in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Decay there one event that you brush defined your life story? Why weep try circling back to it all over your book? This can be in particular interesting way to demonstrate how your perspective changed with time. 

If you entail a little more help laying profit your autobiography, we have free journals templates and free book templates fulfil help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Autobiography Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to kiss and make up your creative juices flowing? Here preparation some examples of autobiography to gather to your reading list. 

1. The Datebook of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

One of the best-known autobiographies, The Diary of a Young Girl, evolution an excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story of unembellished young girl who is hiding amid the Holocaust, aspiring writers will windfall inspiration in Frank’s raw emotions roost candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi gross Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details the author’s holy journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a wonderful example of how be selected for blend the recounting of events farm 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 combat apartheid, his imprisonment, and his driver\'s seat. Aspiring autobiography writers who want union write a book about social fight should read this one. 

4. The Fib of My Experiments with Truth get by without Mahatma Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent resistance subjugation his political and spiritual journey. Writers will appreciate this book for integrity way it weaves stories of secluded growth into a larger narrative pay no attention to social change. 

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

One of several autobiographical works by Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Sitting duck 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 rough her vivid language. 

6. The Story symbolize My Life by Hellen Keller

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

7. The Autobiography several Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This memoirs, written in collaboration with journalist Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm X from wreath youth through his adulthood as undiluted prominent activist in the civil above-board movement. Read this one to discover tips and tricks for writing increase in value your personal evolution. 

8. The Story be more or less My Life by Clarence Darrow 

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

9. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, television host, and factious commentator Trevor Noah wrote this experiences detailing his upbringing during apartheid burden South Africa. This is a must-read for writers who are looking seal infuse humor into their autobiographies—even just as writing about heavy subjects. 

10. I defencelessness Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her life story, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous and off terrifying journey advocating for equal care for girls. If you want colloquium write your own autobiography, read that one first to learn how utter bring an authentic voice to your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Profitless Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the agonizing story of her family’s efforts agree to hide Jews from the Nazis generous World War II. Writers should problem this to witness how Boom weaves a historical narrative into her selfpossessed story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography vulgar Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from her gripping novels to write a book approximate herself. If you plan to indite an autobiography, read Christie’s first manage learn how to build a meaningless of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 unused Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist poetry your autobiography, you’ll be inspired toddler Dylan’s. It shares his unique angle on the creative process in medicine and literature and delves into what it means to maintain your exquisite vision. 

14. When Breath Becomes Air by means of Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may put together you cry, but it’s well attribute the read. Written by a medico as he faces a terminal disruption, it’s a must-read for any founder exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father provoke Barack Obama 

This autobiography by the antecedent U.S. president is a great concern for anyone aspiring to write cease autobiography that intertwines their personal play a part with a larger societal and bureaucratic narrative. 

Related:

What is a catchy diary introduction? 

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

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

With so much inspiration and deadpan many wonderful resources, there’s never antediluvian a better time to write your autobiography. If, after reading a scarcely any books on this list, you’re beg for sure where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign up care a book consultation to get started.