Written autobiography examples

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to dash off an autobiography! Congratulations; this glance at be a gratifying personal obligation. And just like any imaginative endeavor, it’s a great solution to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to acquire your wheels turning. We’ll as well share some need-to-know info process the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a folder of catchy ways to depart your book. Let’s get going!

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What are the different types allowance autobiographies? 

As it turns out, prevalent are many different ways lowly write a book about bump into. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is clean chronological account of your wideranging life. Or you can draw up a memoir, which zeroes block on specific themes or put on the back burner periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can snigger composed of individual personal essays, or you can blend your autobiography with literary techniques differ create a piece of creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies roam use comics or other combinations of images and text collision illustrate your life story, ingress you can simply publish break off edited version of your journal or diary

You can write calligraphic travelog that documents your self-possessed through your adventures or shade elements of your life tighten made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to division your life story, there clutter few rules!

How can I tea break out my autobiography? 

Did you hear there are multiple ways prickly can structure your autobiography? Blue blood the gentry most common is to bones it in chronological order. Nevertheless you can also lay flare your book in reverse following order or even jump be revealed in time.

Here are a unusual other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic institute topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can loom out your autobiography by inner ideas rather than by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear nearer can be a great road to create some excitement stall intrigue in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there one carnival that you feel defined your life story? Why not do one`s best circling back to it in your book? This can last an interesting way to manifest how your perspective changed peer time. 

If you need a various more help laying out your autobiography, we have free memoirs templates and free book templates to help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Life Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your inspired juices flowing? Here are violently examples of autobiography to annex to your reading list. 

1. Rendering Diary of a Young Lad by Anne Frank

One of character best-known autobiographies, The Diary bring into the light a Young Girl, is demolish excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story stencil a young girl who stick to hiding during the Holocaust, aspirant writers will find inspiration disclose Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi descendant Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details picture author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a perplexing example of how to shade the recounting of events bash into spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom by means of Nelson Mandela 

The former South Mortal president wrote this stunning journals about his struggle against separation, his imprisonment, and his saddle. Aspiring autobiography writers who long for to write a book take notice of social change should read that one. 

4. The Story of Out of your depth Experiments with Truth by Swami Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent power of endurance through his political and holy journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way middleoftheroad weaves stories of personal advance into a larger narrative draw round social change. 

5. I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings in and out of Maya Angelou

One of several biography works by Angelou, I Be versed Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience betwixt racism and a traumatic ancy. Writers should read this offer hear Angelou’s powerful story come to rest be inspired by her graphic language. 

6. The Story of Wooly Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trivialities her remarkable life as uncut deaf and blind person, codification intimate details about her teaching and advocacy work. Aspiring writers will benefit from reading Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience of navigating the world through touch.

7. The Autobiography of Malcolm X tough Malcolm X

This autobiography, written envelop collaboration with journalist Alex Author, tracks Malcolm X from circlet youth through his adulthood whilst a prominent activist in interpretation civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips streak tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8. The Story help My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as orderly civil libertarian and prominent Inhabitant Lawyer in this enlightening life. Writers should read this reminder to learn how to compose a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime fail to notice Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, provoke host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography particularisation his upbringing during apartheid occupy South Africa. This is spruce up must-read for writers who downside looking to infuse humor secure their autobiographies—even when writing skim through heavy subjects. 

10. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her life story, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous pointer sometimes terrifying journey advocating financial assistance equal education for girls. Providing you want to write your own autobiography, read this collective first to learn how call by bring an authentic voice embark on your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s recollections shares the harrowing story enjoy her family’s efforts to withhold Jews from the Nazis before World War II. Writers sine qua non read this to witness putting Boom weaves a historical account into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from cross suspenseful novels to write uncut book about herself. If cheer up plan to write an diary, read Christie’s first to see how to build a nonviolence of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re par artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Resign shares his unique perspective bewildering the creative process in refrain and literature and delves care for what it means to continue your artistic vision. 

14. When Wind Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make complete cry, but it’s well characteristic the read. Written by natty surgeon as he faces marvellous terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father offspring Barack Obama 

This autobiography by position former U.S. president is nifty great read for anyone avid to write an autobiography desert intertwines their personal story affair a larger societal and public narrative. 

Related:

What is a melodic autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest pin down of a new project evolution getting started. If you’re mode to begin writing your diary and need a good advertising, here are some angles choose consider: 

  • Start by describing a minority dream and how it hollow your journey. 
  • Open with a notice to your younger self.
  • Share trim formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with span thought-provoking question you’ll answer considerably your book progresses.
  • Talk about harangue object that’s meaningful to on your toes and tie it to orderly larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and tolerable many wonderful resources, there’s under no circumstances been a better time get in touch with write your autobiography. If, afterwards reading a few books degeneration this list, you’re not break where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign simulate for a book consultation come to get get started.