What a writing coach knows about how to write a memoir and how to write a book about someone’s life
I once went into a maze in England.
It was one of those high-hedge varieties that you see in Alice in Wonderland movies.
Although I didn’t encounter The Queen of Hearts or a Mad Hatter, I definitely felt like I was going a little bit crazy looking for an exit.
The fact that I was laughing at myself the whole time didn’t help!
It wasn’t until I remembered the ‘maze secret’ – always turn left – that I had a path to freedom.
What a difference a good tip makes!
The same can be said about how to write an autobiography.
There are so many tasks to think about and do to complete your life story that it can be overwhelming without a ‘roadmap’.
Don’t waste your time jumping down rabbit holes, follow these key steps to create an extraordinary family record.
How to write an autobiography: Planning to write
How to write an autobiography?
You must get ‘your house’ in order before you get writing.
This means nutting out a basic autobiography structure including the number of chapters and what they will be about.
You can do this in a number of ways but try brainstorming key memories, identifying the logical sections of your life so far, and identifying who you are writing for and why.
Creating a timeline of your life and a family tree can also be helpful.
Next get your researcher’s hat on and comb through your ‘treasures’ – albums, letters, keepsakes etc – to glean extra details and ideas.
You can also mine details further afield by talking to family members, researching online, or by visiting libraries, your old schools and homes, and museums.
Related article – How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories
Putting pen to paper
Figuring out how to write an autobiography can be overwhelming to new writers but if you have a solid structure in place you will be able to tackle your autobiography in easily manageable chapter chunks.
Set yourself up for success by organising your writing space, your writing time, your writing tools (pen and pads or computer), and hopefully a cheer squad or support person to encourage you to keep going.
You should also think about the tone of your writing and a central theme to tie everything together.
Now write, write, write!
Related article – Writing motivation: How to finish writing a book about your life
Polishing your writing
Time to put your feet up and take a break!
The third step in how to write an autobiography is to let all those chapters marinate and give yourself a mental rest.
A bit of distance will give you amazing clarity about your first draft.
You will see how your earlier writing differs to your later efforts and how your storytelling and writing techniques have evolved and improved.
Now get out that red pen and go through your manuscript chapter by chapter.
Look for copy mistakes like spelling and grammar but also look at the content as a whole – what needs expanding, deleting or rewriting etc.
Don’t forget to check pictures and captions to be included.
Related article –Writing and editing: 3 things your writing teacher is looking for during a coaching call
Publishing your autobiography
This is my favourite bit of how to write an autobiography!
You have come so far that it can be tempting to rush through this section and finally share your story.
But a bit of time spent refining your autobiography design and layout will really make it shine.
There are many publishing options available to suit your intended audience and budget.
Whether you choose digital or print versions or both, make sure you get a sample or proof to double-check everything.
The only thing left now on your to-do-list is to plan your book launch party!
Related article –Case study: Helping to write the story of grandmother Bonnie, 99
Final say: How to write an autobiography
Your autobiography should be a celebration of your life.
Having it finally finished will give you peace of mind that your memories will be treasured for generations to come.
So hop ‘write’ to it and plan, put pen to paper, polish and publish your story today.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
Figuring out how to write an autobiography or life story can be overwhelming. But beginning with a basic outline can help keep you focused and on track to finish. Try my FREE structure training video on how to do this. Sign up here or fill in the details below.
Your say
Please let me know what step you are at in your how to write an autobiography journey. I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
Get in touch
Got a question or idea for an article? You can let me know here!
Don’t miss an article
Sign up here to get instant notifications when new material is published.
First published September 29, 2017: This article has been updated and improved.
