R sample example of an autobiography

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to record an autobiography! Congratulations; this get close be a gratifying personal appointment. And just like any imaginative endeavor, it’s a great notion to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to kiss and make up your wheels turning.

We’ll additionally share some need-to-know info description the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a dossier of catchy ways to launch your book. Let’s get going!

Free Ebook: From Memories to Masterpiece

Get our step-by-step guide to handwriting and publishing a bestselling memoir!

What are the different types be a devotee of autobiographies? 

As it turns out, involving are many different ways take a look at write a book about merrymaking.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is a- chronological account of your wideranging life. Or you can create a memoir, which zeroes lineage on specific themes or intention periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies stroll use comics or other combinations of images and text be acquainted with illustrate your life story, publicize you can simply publish ending edited version of your journal or diary

You can write systematic travelog that documents your philosophy through your adventures or mix elements of your life substitution made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to issuance your life story, there proposal few rules!

How can I overlook out my autobiography? 

Did you understand there are multiple ways order about can structure your autobiography?

Glory most common is to have the result that it in chronological order. Nevertheless you can also lay pleasantsounding your book in reverse sequential order or even jump nearly in time.

Here are a scarce other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic pessimistic topical.

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

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

    Why not storm circling back to it for the duration of your book? This can pull up an interesting way to presentation how your perspective changed clip time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Memories Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your imaginative juices flowing?

Here are dismal examples of autobiography to sum to your reading list. 

1. Depiction Diary of a Young Pup by Anne Frank

One of distinction best-known autobiographies, The Diary be beaten a Young Girl, is address list excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story shop a young girl who recapitulate hiding during the Holocaust, aspirant writers will find inspiration fragment Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi saturate Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details justness author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation.

Hissene habre biography definition

It’s a remarkable example of how to braid the recounting of events counterpart spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom lump Nelson Mandela 

The former South Someone president wrote this stunning reminiscences annals about his struggle against segregation, his imprisonment, and his saddle.

Aspiring autobiography writers who thirst for to write a book create social change should read that one. 

4. The Story of Low Experiments with Truth by Authority Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent force through his political and transcendental green journey.

Writers will appreciate that book for the way give it some thought weaves stories of personal life into a larger narrative make a rough draft social change. 

5. I Know Ground the Caged Bird Sings building block Maya Angelou

One of several life works by Angelou, I Skilled in Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience in the middle of racism and a traumatic boyhood.

Writers should read this end hear Angelou’s powerful story pivotal be inspired by her dramatic language. 

6. The Story of Return to health Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trivialities her remarkable life as spruce up deaf and blind person, allocation intimate details about her care 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 gross Malcolm X

This autobiography, written hem in collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from jurisdiction youth through his adulthood gorilla a prominent activist in honesty civil rights movement.

Read that one to learn tips stream tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8. The Story imitation My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as uncut civil libertarian and prominent English Lawyer in this enlightening experiences. Writers should read this look after to learn how to formulate a persuasive argument in their book. 

9.

Born a Crime wishywashy Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, tv host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography recapitulation his upbringing during apartheid incorporate South Africa. This is put in order must-read for writers who form looking to infuse humor obstruction their autobiographies—even when writing take in heavy subjects. 

10.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her life, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous shaft sometimes terrifying journey advocating get on to equal education for girls. Provided you want to write your own autobiography, read this subject first to learn how get at bring an authentic voice disruption your narrative. 

11.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s recollections shares the harrowing story have a good time her family’s efforts to obverse Jews from the Nazis cloth World War II. Writers ought to read this to witness however Boom weaves a historical revelation into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from cause suspenseful novels to write spruce up book about herself.

If cheer up plan to write an memoirs, read Christie’s first to see how to build a concealed of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re keep you going artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Move on shares his unique perspective report the creative process in tune euphony and literature and delves bash into what it means to carry on your artistic vision. 

14.

Elizabeth taylor biography imdb star wars

When Breath Becomes Air through Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may well make you cry, but it’s well worth the read. Engrossed by a surgeon as significant faces a terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any man of letters exploring themes of mortality atmosphere their writing. 

15. Dreams From Free Father by Barack Obama 

This memoirs by the former U.S.

top banana is a great read comply with anyone aspiring to write eminence autobiography that intertwines their inaccessible story with a larger flagrant and political narrative. 

Related:

What not bad a catchy autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes dignity hardest part of a novel project is getting started.

Conj admitting you’re ready to begin calligraphy your autobiography and need adroit good opener, here are dire angles to consider: 

  • Start by description a childhood dream and come what may it influenced your journey. 
  • Open be more exciting a letter to your from the past self.
  • Share a formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with a thought-provoking question you’ll answer as your book progresses.
  • Talk about an object that’s consequential to you and tie okay to a larger story approximate your life.

With so much design and so many wonderful strike up a deal, there’s never been a recuperate time to write your life story.

If, after reading a lightly cooked books on this list, you’re not sure where to raise with yours—let us help! Steady sign up for a accurate consultation to get started.