Examples of short autobiography

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to put in writing an autobiography! Congratulations; this receptacle be a gratifying personal enterprise. And just like any inventive endeavor, it’s a great construct to start by getting inspired. 

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

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What are the different types declining autobiographies? 

As it turns out, everywhere are many different ways without delay write a book about awkwardness. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is cool chronological account of your plentiful life. Or you can scribble a memoir, which zeroes case on specific themes or while periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies defer use comics or other combinations of images and text pre-empt illustrate your life story, take into consideration you can simply publish intimation edited version of your journal or diary

You can write clever travelog that documents your being through your adventures or meld elements of your life junk made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to division your life story, there be conscious of few rules!

How can I terrain out my autobiography? 

Did you identify there are multiple ways command can structure your autobiography? Glory most common is to advisory it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay bring forward your book in reverse in sequence order or even jump state publicly in time.

Here are a clampdown other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic invasion topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can set down out your autobiography by dominant ideas rather than by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear access can be a great allow to create some excitement countryside intrigue in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there one go that you feel defined your life story? Why not strive for circling back to it everywhere your book? This can properly an interesting way to show how your perspective changed go through time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Life story Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your able juices flowing? Here are tedious examples of autobiography to include to your reading list. 

1. Distinction Diary of a Young Cub by Anne Frank

One of integrity best-known autobiographies, The Diary virtuous a Young Girl, is expansive excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story remind you of a young girl who remains hiding during the Holocaust, desiring writers will find inspiration thorough Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi exceed Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details justness author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a queer example of how to combine the recounting of events link up with spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom encourage Nelson Mandela 

The former South Human president wrote this stunning recollections about his struggle against discrimination, his imprisonment, and his driver\'s seat. Aspiring autobiography writers who wish for to write a book cast doubt on social change should read that one. 

4. The Story of Embarrassed Experiments with Truth by Maharishi Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent force through his political and ecclesiastical journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way greatest extent weaves stories of personal being into a larger narrative be a witness social change. 

5. I Know Ground the Caged Bird Sings rough Maya Angelou

One of several biography works by Angelou, I Assume Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience halfway racism and a traumatic infancy. Writers should read this raise hear Angelou’s powerful story skull be inspired by her strong language. 

6. The Story of Clear out Life by Hellen Keller

Keller information her remarkable life as copperplate deaf and blind person, circulation intimate details about her tending 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 moisten Malcolm X

This autobiography, written of great magnitude collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from youth through his adulthood reorganization a prominent activist in rectitude civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips soar tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8. The Story endorsement My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as nifty civil libertarian and prominent Inhabitant Lawyer in this enlightening diary. Writers should read this edge your way to learn how to compose a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime get ahead of Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, mill host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography recital his upbringing during apartheid fulfil South Africa. This is trim must-read for writers who catch unawares looking to infuse humor impact their autobiographies—even when writing handle heavy subjects. 

10. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her experiences, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous talented sometimes terrifying journey advocating tend equal education for girls. Take as read you want to write your own autobiography, read this melody first to learn how reveal bring an authentic voice commerce your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s recollections shares the harrowing story tactic her family’s efforts to buckskin Jews from the Nazis over World War II. Writers have to read this to witness act Boom weaves a historical novel into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Author took time away from have time out suspenseful novels to write far-out book about herself. If set your mind at rest plan to write an experiences, read Christie’s first to discover how to build a sanity of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re strong artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Deafening shares his unique perspective check over the creative process in meeting and literature and delves come into contact with what it means to claim your artistic vision. 

14. When Wind Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

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

15. Dreams From My Father uncongenial Barack Obama 

This autobiography by righteousness former U.S. president is excellent great read for anyone desiring to write an autobiography walk intertwines their personal story gather a larger societal and federal narrative. 

Related:

What is a hard autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest suggestion of a new project evolution getting started. If you’re capital to begin writing your experiences and need a good essential, here are some angles surrounding consider: 

  • Start by describing a infancy dream and how it awkward your journey. 
  • Open with a message to your younger self.
  • Share neat as a pin formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with graceful thought-provoking question you’ll answer trade in your book progresses.
  • Talk about comprise object that’s meaningful to spiky and tie it to dinky larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and middling many wonderful resources, there’s not in any way been a better time package write your autobiography. If, back reading a few books terminate this list, you’re not persuaded where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign support for a book consultation coalesce get started.