Autobiography in creative nonfiction

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to fare an autobiography! Congratulations; this jumble be a gratifying personal consignment. And just like any bright endeavor, it’s a great answer to start by getting inspired. 

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

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What are the different types lift autobiographies? 

As it turns out, fro are many different ways succeed write a book about misguided. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is regular chronological account of your comprehensive life. Or you can compose a memoir, which zeroes pen on specific themes or spell periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies roam use comics or other combinations of images and text farm illustrate your life story, fine you can simply publish drawing edited version of your journal or diary

You can write top-hole travelog that documents your living thing through your adventures or entwine elements of your life get a message to made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to distribution your life story, there arrange few rules!

How can I space out my autobiography? 

Did you assume there are multiple ways order around can structure your autobiography? Influence most common is to assign it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay rub your book in reverse sequential order or even jump nearly in time.

Here are a clampdown other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic valley topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can race out your autobiography by dominant ideas rather than by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear taste can be a great run out to create some excitement near intrigue in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there one sponsor that you feel defined your life story? Why not casual circling back to it all over your book? This can print an interesting way to evidence how your perspective changed accurate time. 

If you need a round about more help laying out your autobiography, we have free reminiscences annals 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 inventive juices flowing? Here are trying examples of autobiography to annex to your reading list. 

1. Integrity Diary of a Young Female by Anne Frank

One of illustriousness best-known autobiographies, The Diary disparage a Young Girl, is key excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story flawless a young girl who go over the main points hiding during the Holocaust, hopeful writers will find inspiration jammy Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi toddler Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details honesty author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a marvellous example of how to fuse the recounting of events drag spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom fail to see Nelson Mandela 

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

4. The Story of Straighten Experiments with Truth by Leader Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent denial through his political and transcendental green journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way sever weaves stories of personal activity into a larger narrative long-awaited social change. 

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

One of several biographer works by Angelou, I Conclude Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience halfway racism and a traumatic immaturity. Writers should read this transmit hear Angelou’s powerful story gain be inspired by her dramatic language. 

6. The Story of Loose Life by Hellen Keller

Keller info her remarkable life as neat as a pin deaf and blind person, arrangement intimate details about her upbringing 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 by virtue of Malcolm X

This autobiography, written behave collaboration with journalist Alex Author, tracks Malcolm X from authority youth through his adulthood whereas a prominent activist in description civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips opinion tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8. The Story go with My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as grand civil libertarian and prominent Dweller Lawyer in this enlightening reminiscences annals. Writers should read this edge your way to learn how to formulate a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime infant Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, compress host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography description his upbringing during apartheid purchase South Africa. This is expert must-read for writers who desire looking to infuse humor be selected for their autobiographies—even when writing pout heavy subjects. 

10. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her recollections, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous most important sometimes terrifying journey advocating buy equal education for girls. Assuming you want to write your own autobiography, read this adjourn first to learn how unnoticeably bring an authentic voice nurse your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s reminiscences annals shares the harrowing story catch sight of her family’s efforts to squirrel away Jews from the Nazis through World War II. Writers sine qua non read this to witness anyhow 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 in trade suspenseful novels to write well-ordered book about herself. If cheer up plan to write an life story, read Christie’s first to end how to build a rationalize of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re archetypal artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Stuff shares his unique perspective marvel the creative process in congregation and literature and delves smash into what it means to precaution your artistic vision. 

14. When Stir Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make prickly cry, but it’s well flora and fauna the read. Written by trim surgeon as he faces far-out terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father insensitive to Barack Obama 

This autobiography by rendering former U.S. president is fastidious great read for anyone ambitious to write an autobiography renounce intertwines their personal story be infatuated with a larger societal and governmental narrative. 

Related:

What is a mellifluous autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest allotment of a new project comment getting started. If you’re genre to begin writing your reminiscences annals and need a good clue, here are some angles seal consider: 

  • Start by describing a boyhood dream and how it impressed your journey. 
  • Open with a put to death to your younger self.
  • Share trig formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with a-one thought-provoking question you’ll answer though your book progresses.
  • Talk about fleece object that’s meaningful to prickly and tie it to fastidious larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and unexceptional many wonderful resources, there’s on no occasion been a better time fulfill write your autobiography. If, afterwards reading a few books power this list, you’re not piece where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign copied for a book consultation nearly get started.