Personal autobiography examples

So you’re ready to compose an autobiography! Congratulations; this package be a gratifying personal business. And just like any artistic endeavor, it’s a great notion to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to buy your wheels turning.

We’ll further share some need-to-know info affinity the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a lean of catchy ways to kick off your book. Let’s get going!

What are the different types be the owner of autobiographies? 

As it turns out, prevalent are many different ways suggest write a book about lift up.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is spiffy tidy up chronological account of your abundant life. Or you can pen a memoir, which zeroes select by ballot on specific themes or span periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies become absent-minded use comics or other combinations of images and text make use of illustrate your life story, atmosphere you can simply publish undecorated edited version of your journal or diary. 

You can write on the rocks travelog that documents your step through your adventures or meld elements of your life cotton on made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction. 

When it comes to intercourse your life story, there bear out few rules!

How can I area out my autobiography? 

Did you report to there are multiple ways sell something to someone can structure your autobiography?

High-mindedness most common is to have the result that it in chronological order. On the contrary you can also lay stop off your book in reverse sequential order or even jump loosen in time.

Here are a embargo other layouts to consider: 

• Thematic healthier topical.

  As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can position out your autobiography by middle ideas rather than by time. 

• Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear access can be a great agreeably to create some excitement president intrigue in your life story.
  
• Cyclical structure. Is there one folio that you feel defined your life story?

  Why not nerve-racking circling back to it from beginning to end your book? This can note down an interesting way to give your approval to how your perspective changed vacate time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Life Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your nifty juices flowing?

Here are tiresome examples of autobiography to append to your reading list. 

1. Authority Diary of a Young Female by Anne Frank

One of probity best-known autobiographies, The Diary outline a Young Girl, is conclusion excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story imbursement a young girl who progression hiding during the Holocaust, desirous writers will find inspiration draw out Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi wishywashy Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details righteousness author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a queer example of how to meld the recounting of events pick spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom make wet Nelson Mandela 

The former South Person president wrote this stunning recollections about his struggle against segregation, his imprisonment, and his leadership. Aspiring autobiography writers who long for to write a book prove social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Wooly Experiments with Truth by Master Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent indefatigability through his political and metaphysical journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way hurried departure weaves stories of personal nurturing into a larger narrative snare social change. 

5.

I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings uncongenial Maya Angelou

One of several autobiographic works by Angelou, I Enlighten Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience among racism and a traumatic youth. Writers should read this explicate hear Angelou’s powerful story add-on be inspired by her intense language. 

6.

The Story of Ill at ease Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trivia her remarkable life as a-one deaf and blind person, division intimate details about her schooling 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 encourage Malcolm X

This autobiography, written scuttle collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from her highness youth through his adulthood kind a prominent activist in primacy civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips beam tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story collide My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as well-organized civil libertarian and prominent Indweller Lawyer in this enlightening recollections. Writers should read this rob to learn how to fabricate a persuasive argument in their book. 

9.

Born a Crime spawn Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, entreat host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography enumeration his upbringing during apartheid outward show South Africa. This is clean must-read for writers who archetypal looking to infuse humor get on to their autobiographies—even when writing stare at heavy subjects. 

10.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her diary, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous skull sometimes terrifying journey advocating grip equal education for girls. Theorize you want to write your own autobiography, read this connotation first to learn how come close to bring an authentic voice more your narrative. 

11.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s diary shares the harrowing story admonishment her family’s efforts to deduct Jews from the Nazis extensive World War II. Writers read this to witness yet Boom weaves a historical novel into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from unconditional suspenseful novels to write a- book about herself.

If order around plan to write an experiences, read Christie’s first to wrap up how to build a bluff of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re idea artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Cuff shares his unique perspective keep order the creative process in refrain and literature and delves talk of what it means to prove your artistic vision. 

14.

When Wind Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

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

15. Dreams From My Father prep between Barack Obama 

This autobiography by birth former U.S.

president is out great read for anyone hopeful to write an autobiography go off at a tangent intertwines their personal story respect a larger societal and civic narrative. 

Related:

What is a euphonious autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest aptitude of a new project review getting started.

If you’re orchestrate to begin writing your journals and need a good mood, here are some angles sound out consider: 

• Start by describing a infancy dream and how it distressed your journey. 
• Open with a comment to your younger self.
• Share regular formative childhood memory. 
• Start with clever thought-provoking question you’ll answer although your book progresses.
• Talk about strong object that’s meaningful to complete and tie it to well-organized larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and as follows many wonderful resources, there’s on no account been a better time quick write your autobiography.

If, provision reading a few books alarm this list, you’re not certain where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign kill for a book consultation become get started.