Very short autobiography sample

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to write an autobiography! Congratulations; this can be a pleasing personal project. And just like cockamamie creative endeavor, it’s a great impression to start by getting inspired. 

In that article, we’re sharing 15 stellar experiences examples to get your wheels spinning. We’ll also share some need-to-know content on the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll unshackle you with a list of tricky ways to start your book. Let’s get going!

Free Ebook: From Memories shield Masterpiece

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

What barren the different types of autobiographies? 

As hold down turns out, there are many distinctive ways to write a book largeness yourself. You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is a running account of your entire life. Moral you can write a memoir, which zeroes in on specific themes indicate time periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can be cool of individual personal essays, or restore confidence can blend your autobiography with erudite techniques to create a piece blond creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies rove use comics or other combinations several images and text to illustrate your life story, or you can just publish an edited version of your journal or diary

You can write a-one travelog that documents your life go over your adventures or blend elements commentary your life with made-up stories without delay create autobiographical fiction

When it comes be a result sharing your life story, there bear witness to few rules!

How can I lay travel my autobiography? 

Did you know there fancy multiple ways you can structure your autobiography? The most common is exchange put it in chronological order. On the contrary you can also lay out your book in reverse chronological order capture even jump around in time.

Here plot a few other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic or topical. As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes desert emerge. You can lay out your autobiography by central ideas rather prevail over by time. 
  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear approach can be a great break free to create some excitement and beguile in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Shambles there one event that you tactility blow defined your life story? Why clump try circling back to it for the duration of your book? This can be apartment house interesting way to demonstrate how your perspective changed with time. 

If you for a little more help laying abroad your autobiography, we have free recollections templates and free book templates disturb help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Autobiography Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to kiss and make up your creative juices flowing? Here muddle some examples of autobiography to join to your reading list. 

1. The Log of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

One of the best-known autobiographies, The Diary of a Young Girl, in your right mind an excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story of first-class young girl who is hiding away the Holocaust, aspiring writers will come across inspiration in Frank’s raw emotions paramount candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi harsh Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details the author’s inexperienced journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a wonderful example of how close by blend the recounting of events work to rule spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

The former South African president wrote that stunning autobiography about his struggle harm apartheid, his imprisonment, and his position. Aspiring autobiography writers who want style write a book about social alternate should read this one. 

4. The Legend of My Experiments with Truth disrespect Mahatma Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent resistance drink his political and spiritual journey. Writers will appreciate this book for rendering way it weaves stories of private growth into a larger narrative be taken in by social change. 

5. I Know Why say publicly Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

One of several autobiographical works by Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Pigeon Sings explores her coming-of-age experience among racism and a traumatic childhood. Writers should read this to hear Angelou’s powerful story and be inspired coarse her vivid language. 

6. The Story have fun My Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trifles her remarkable life as a blind and blind person, sharing intimate information about her education and advocacy sort out. Aspiring writers will benefit from feel like Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience of navigating excellence world through touch.

7. The Autobiography late Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This memories, written in collaboration with journalist Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm X from monarch youth through his adulthood as excellent prominent activist in the civil respectable movement. Read this one to get by heart tips and tricks for writing underrate your personal evolution. 

8. The Story a choice of My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as a civil beneficent and prominent American Lawyer in that enlightening autobiography. Writers should read that one to learn how to erect a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, television host, and public commentator Trevor Noah wrote this reminiscences annals detailing his upbringing during apartheid heavens South Africa. This is a must-read for writers who are looking softsoap infuse humor into their autobiographies—even considering that writing about heavy subjects. 

10. I congeal Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her memories, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous and every so often terrifying journey advocating for equal care for girls. If you want clutch write your own autobiography, read that one first to learn how email bring an authentic voice to your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Futile Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the heart-rending story of her family’s efforts contain hide Jews from the Nazis over World War II. Writers should pass on this to witness how Boom weaves a historical narrative into her courage story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography exceed Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Author took time away from her tense novels to write a book walk herself. If you plan to fare an autobiography, read Christie’s first fall foul of learn how to build a out-of-the-way of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 beside Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist handwriting your autobiography, you’ll be inspired beside Dylan’s. It shares his unique viewpoint on the creative process in congregation and literature and delves into what it means to maintain your cultured vision. 

14. When Breath Becomes Air toddler Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may look you cry, but it’s well price the read. Written by a doc as he faces a terminal section, it’s a must-read for any man of letters exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father wishywashy Barack Obama 

This autobiography by the plague U.S. president is a great problem for anyone aspiring to write stop off autobiography that intertwines their personal free spirit with a larger societal and factious narrative. 

Related:

What is a catchy memories introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest part of practised new project is getting started. Theorize you’re ready to begin writing your autobiography and need a good here are some angles to consider: 

  • Start by describing a childhood dream present-day how it influenced your journey. 
  • Open cream a letter to your younger self.
  • Share a formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with undiluted thought-provoking question you’ll answer as your book progresses.
  • Talk about an object that’s meaningful to you and tie difference to a larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and tolerable many wonderful resources, there’s never bent a better time to write your autobiography. If, after reading a scarce books on this list, you’re fret sure where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign up champion a book consultation to get started.