How to write a first person biography

Even though nobody will see it, you will know. And that will show that you're dedicated to making something perfect. Unlike memoirs and autobiographies, in which the author tells the story from their personal viewpoint and enjoys greater freedom to recall conversations, biographies require a commitment to facts. So, when recreating dialogue, try to quote directly from reliable sources like personal diaries, emails, and text messages.

You could also use your interview scripts as an alternative to dialogue. These are just some of the story elements you can use to make your biography more compelling. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and edit your own manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs. Then, have a professional editor give you a general assessment.

They would also look for context, and whether or not more background information is needed for the reader to understand the story fully. And they might check your facts, too. In addition to structural editing, you may want to have someone copy-edit and proofread your work. I'm a skilled editor who loves memoir so much I got a PhD in it. I'm interested in your story and want to help you share it with the world.

Emmy Award winning TV writer with over twenty years of experience. Loves funny stories about music, sports, and fascinating people. As an experienced proofreader and copyeditor, I work freelance for publishing houses, including Hodder, Pan Macmillan and HarperCollins. Browse more profiles on Reedsy. Importantly, make sure to include a bibliography with a list of all the interviews, documents, and sources used in the writing process.

Once the text is nicely polished and typeset in your writing applicationsyou can prepare for the publication process. A look under the hood of the most popular AI-powered book-writing software for fiction authors. Your complete guide to falling action: what it is, how to use it, and of course plenty of examples. Discover the six essential elements that make up every great story, and learn how you can incorporate them in your writing.

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How to write a biography: 1. Seek permission when possible 2. Research your subject thoroughly 3. Dive deep into your research. Take detailed notes and organize your findings. Gather as much information as you can about your subject. This includes primary sources like interviews, letters, and diaries, as well as secondary sources such as books, articles, and documentaries.

Here are some primary sources to look for:. Birth, marriage, and death certificates: These documents can provide crucial dates and familial relationships. Census data: Census records can provide demographic information and track changes over time. Property records: These can reveal where the subject lived and owned property. Military records: If applicable, military records can provide information on service, ranks, and honors.

Photos and videos: Look for photographs and videos in public libraries, historical societies, online databases like the Library of Congress, and family photo albums. Historical newspapers: Access archives of local and national newspapers for articles, interviews, and obituaries related to the subject. Digital archives: Use online resources like ProQuest, Chronicling America, and newspaper databases available through public libraries.

You can also look for secondary sources, which provide more context and perspective, such as:. Existing biographies: Search for existing biographies and books about the subject or their era. How does your project stand out from the crowd? Academic articles and papers: Access journals through university libraries, which often have extensive collections of scholarly articles.

Documentaries and biographical films: You can often find these on streaming services or public television archives. Websites and blogs: Look for reputable websites and blogs dedicated to the subject or related fields. Social media platforms: The things people say on social media can offer insights into public perception about your subject. Finally, you can also conduct your own interviews.

You can ask them for personal anecdotes to add more color to your book, or more information to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

How to write a first person biography: A personal bio is

Great biographers start from a place of curiosity. Mix significant achievements with telling anecdotes about hobbies, daily habits, and personality quirks. These intimate details make your subject feel real and relatable to readers. Tools like Meminto Stories can help gather and incorporate these personal touches that bring the story to life. Like any good story, a biography needs narrative momentum.

Frame these moments to show their significance and lasting impact. When you do this effectively, readers stay invested in discovering how the story unfolds. The most compelling biographies create an emotional bridge between reader and subject. Your biographical voice is as unique as your fingerprint. This is what vivid scene-setting can do.

Use rich details to place readers in the moment. For instance, weave in meaningful quotes from letters, interviews and historical records to let your subject speak directly to readers. The way you handle these shapes your voice. Present different perspectives fairly to build trust with readers. When covering delicate subjects, maintain an objective, respectful tone and let the evidence speak for itself.

This balanced approach helps readers form their own informed views. While keeping readers invested is essential, accuracy always comes first. Your unique voice should highlight the truth, not distort it. Create engagement through careful pacing, thematic development, and thoughtful analysis — all while staying true to the historical record.

Tools like Meminto Stories can help organize details effectively, especially for personal and family histories. Like any skill, finding your voice takes practice. Read widely in the biography genre, try different writing approaches, and ask for feedback. Study how successful biographers construct their narratives — notice their word choices, sentence patterns, and how they blend facts with interpretation.

Join biography-focused writing groups to get helpful critiques.

How to write a first person biography: Tell your story! We want

With time and practice, your unique voice will emerge more clearly, helping you create biographies that both inform and inspire. Now comes the exciting challenge of bringing your carefully crafted story to readers. Biography readers have diverse interests and expectations. Some seek scholarly historical works, while others prefer intimate portraits of contemporary figures.

How to write a first person biography: State your company or

This variety means you need to be clear about where your book fits in. Study similar biographies that have done well — what audiences do they attract? How are they marketed? This research will help you identify your ideal readers and refine your marketing approach. Your choice should align with your goals, available resources, and the specific needs of your biography project.

Include these key elements:. Building genuine relationships with these communities helps create buzz and drives book sales through trusted recommendations. Remember that publishing success comes from understanding your readers, choosing the right publishing approach, and consistently engaging with your audience. Focus on quality at every stage — from manuscript to marketing — to create a biography that resonates with readers and stands the test of time.

Ready to transform your family stories into a cherished keepsake? Start creating your unique memory book with Meminto Stories today! Remember: Life is not always perfect. But it's always what you make it. So make it count. Make it memorable. If you know an ordinary person with an extraordinary story that could strike a chord with people, don't be afraid to write about it.

Just be sure to narrowly focus the biography on those striking components that will connect with the readers. Someone unknown will be a tougher sell because you have to convince people to care about this unknown entity. When writing about someone who's already passed, you won't have access to their voice and will never know their feelings on your work.

Unlike all other biographies, you are the author of your own personal or professional bio. You can use the same steps for writing a biography to write an online bio. Once you've chosen your subject, you'll likely need their permission. If the person is deceased, you can ask their living family members for permission.

How to write a first person biography: A bio should quickly

This isn't always a prerequisite. Plenty of "unauthorized" biographies have been written about celebrities based on information available in the public domain. However, a biography is usually far more compelling if the subject is willing to talk to you. If you don't get permission and you still wish to publish, you'll have to make sure you don't print anything untrue that could be viewed as slander or libel.

If you hurt someone's reputation through your unauthorized biography, you could be setting yourself up for a lawsuit. As you conduct your research, the ultimate primary source is the subject. But, whether they're living or dead, that may not always be an option. Thankfully, there are other primary sources besides the subject of your biography.

They include the subject's personal writings, those with firsthand information about the subject, original historical or legal documents, statistical records, and audio or video recordings. A piece of writing created during the time of an important event, such as a news article, may also be considered a primary source. Secondary sources will be helpful to your research too, if you choose wisely.

A secondary source is something created by someone who didn't know the subject directly or didn't witness an event with their own eyes.