MILAN – Many readers have an almost hidden dream: to one day see the book of their life published. For this reason, we have done several international researches and asked industry experts to provide us with some useful information. Here are some useful guidelines for making an autobiographical book. What is a biography?
It is a narrative tale that deals with the life of a person but also with the events or history of a company, a theater group or other. If you write a biography about yourself, you have an autobiography.
You can write a bio in a dry and short way, which can be useful to combine with a cover letter for the job or a resume. In this case you will insert in the writing:
- the essential notes;
- personal data,
- information on the studies carried out;
- notes on abilities and skills;
- maybe even a line or two on personal interests and hobbies.
A biography can be fictional: in this case it takes advantage of the literary characters that are used to write a novel, using the right techniques, an adequate style and creative inventions. The biography is in any case a story and its main feature is to inform the reader. You can write a biography for:
- to value a person;
- advertise a company or other;
- leave a memory of oneself;
- take stock of a life, career or similar.
These are some rough examples; usually the reasons are those just mentioned, more or less. Read also: How to write a book, Stephen King’s writing tips What to do, in a few guidelines
Identify the key points:
- birth;
- important turning points;
- challenges and obstacles overcome and those not overcome;
- a marriage;
- an important collaboration;
- the facts and feelings that changed the direction of existence.
It is advisable to narrate in first person if you are talking about yourself; in the third if you have to write the classic biography for work / professional.
Once this is decided and established, arrange an interview with the person you are going to write about. Prepare questions even if the biography is yours: so you will have clear the key points.
As a starting point, always consider two things: the person and the purpose of the writing. This way you will personalize and not lose sight of the important factors.
With these two elements well present you will go to build your canvas.
The guidelines will serve you even if you have to focus and narrate a single episode of life.
Do as if you were a director, visualize the various scenes and how you want to render them.
- Therefore consider the premises / background as the beginning of the story.
- Then go on to write the facts, as mentioned above, from birth to the present, going through the first years, the studies done, the decisions and the turning points.
- In all of this, consider the events and the determining people.
Furthermore…
- Ask the interviewee why (motivation) and how (way) related to the facts / events he tells: in this way you can enrich the biography of the elements desired and felt by the person concerned.
- Closed questions, which require a yes or a no, can certainly be asked, but must be complemented by open questions.
Also ask …
- What happened before this fact
How did we get there - What did you feel during the event
- After this is all over, what were your feelings or emotions
- You achieved what you wanted (goals)
Read also: How to write well, Umberto Eco’s advice
