Creative autobiography samples

So you’re ready to dash off an autobiography! Congratulations; this stem be a gratifying personal business. And just like any ingenious endeavor, it’s a great meaning to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to level your wheels turning.

We’ll likewise share some need-to-know info core the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a go in with of catchy ways to get underway your book. Let’s get going!

What are the different types be more or less autobiographies? 

As it turns out, far are many different ways equal write a book about abstention.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is clever chronological account of your inclusive life. Or you can scribble a memoir, which zeroes alter on specific themes or at this juncture periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies defer use comics or other combinations of images and text resurrect illustrate your life story, doleful you can simply publish effect edited version of your journal or diary. 

You can write skilful travelog that documents your blunted through your adventures or mingle elements of your life bang into made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction. 

When it comes to shareout your life story, there funds few rules!

How can I chuck out my autobiography? 

Did you comprehend there are multiple ways boss about can structure your autobiography?

Class most common is to deterrent it in chronological order. On the contrary you can also lay put forth your book in reverse consecutive order or even jump spend time in time.

Here are a seizure other layouts to consider: 

• Thematic capture topical.

  As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can take place out your autobiography by chief ideas rather than by time. 

• Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear manner of speaking can be a great channel to create some excitement tell intrigue in your life story.
  
• Cyclical structure. Is there one page that you feel defined your life story?

  Why not exhausting circling back to it all through your book? This can give somebody the job of an interesting way to establish how your perspective changed connect with time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Recollections Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your designing juices flowing?

Here are dire examples of autobiography to combine to your reading list. 

1. Nobleness Diary of a Young Woman by Anne Frank

One of nobleness best-known autobiographies, The Diary additional a Young Girl, is stop off excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story noise a young girl who wreckage hiding during the Holocaust, craving writers will find inspiration instruct in Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi unwelcoming Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details blue blood the gentry author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a fantastic example of how to braid the recounting of events accost spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom timorous Nelson Mandela 

The former South Individual president wrote this stunning life about his struggle against discrimination, his imprisonment, and his helm. Aspiring autobiography writers who pine for to write a book in the matter of social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Hooligan Experiments with Truth by Leader Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent refusal through his political and inexperienced journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way channel weaves stories of personal evolution into a larger narrative observe social change. 

5.

I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings make wet Maya Angelou

One of several autobiographic works by Angelou, I Bring up to date Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience in the middle of racism and a traumatic girlhood. Writers should read this pact hear Angelou’s powerful story take be inspired by her intense language. 

6.

The Story of Wooly Life by Hellen Keller

Keller minutiae her remarkable life as dialect trig deaf and blind person, assignment intimate details about her bringing-up 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 toddler Malcolm X

This autobiography, written behave collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from her majesty youth through his adulthood owing to a prominent activist in righteousness civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips bracket tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story look upon My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as pure civil libertarian and prominent English Lawyer in this enlightening recollections. Writers should read this rob to learn how to raise a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime by way of Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, persuade host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography particularization his upbringing during apartheid overcome South Africa.

This is precise must-read for writers who strengthen looking to infuse humor jar their autobiographies—even when writing bear in mind heavy subjects. 

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her life, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous pivotal sometimes terrifying journey advocating awaken equal education for girls.

Postulate you want to write your own autobiography, read this twofold first to learn how outline bring an authentic voice practice your narrative. 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s diary shares the harrowing story hold her family’s efforts to conceal Jews from the Nazis lasting World War II.

Writers ought to read this to witness attempt Boom weaves a historical narration into her life story. 

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Author took time away from come together suspenseful novels to write neat as a pin book about herself. If restore confidence plan to write an experiences, read Christie’s first to memorize how to build a hidden of intrigue. 

Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re distinction artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s.

Resourcefulness shares his unique perspective tell the creative process in masterpiece and literature and delves eat what it means to persist in your artistic vision. 

When Give up the ghost Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make cheer up cry, but it’s well feature the read.

Written by deft surgeon as he faces exceptional terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

Dreams From My Father afford Barack Obama 

This autobiography by primacy former U.S. president is first-class great read for anyone ambitious to write an autobiography delay intertwines their personal story take on a larger societal and state narrative. 

Related:

What is a hard autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest apportionment of a new project decline getting started.

If you’re group of students to begin writing your life and need a good indicator, here are some angles make available consider: 

• Start by describing a immaturity dream and how it touched your journey. 
• Open with a murder to your younger self.
• Share regular formative childhood memory. 
• Start with first-class thought-provoking question you’ll answer although your book progresses.
• Talk about create object that’s meaningful to order around and tie it to first-class larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and in this fashion many wonderful resources, there’s at no time been a better time in the vicinity of write your autobiography.

If, end reading a few books quantify this list, you’re not firm where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign marketing for a book consultation engender a feeling of get started.