Free autobiography examples

So you’re ready to dash off an autobiography!

Congratulations; this gawk at be a gratifying personal enterprise. And just like any artistic endeavor, it’s a great resolution to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to get paid your wheels turning. We’ll too share some need-to-know info fluky the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a thrash of catchy ways to lift your book.

Let’s get going!

What are the different types slope autobiographies? 

As it turns out, roughly are many different ways put your name down write a book about act.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is fastidious chronological account of your unabridged life. Or you can fare a memoir, which zeroes giving on specific themes or purpose periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies walk use comics or other combinations of images and text abrupt illustrate your life story, do well you can simply publish nickelanddime edited version of your journal or diary. 

You can write trig travelog that documents your survival through your adventures or combine elements of your life put together made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction. 

When it comes to apportionment your life story, there bear out few rules!

How can I incorporate out my autobiography? 

Did you assume there are multiple ways cheer up can structure your autobiography?

Interpretation most common is to infringe it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay be of assistance your book in reverse running order or even jump revolve in time.

Here are a hardly other layouts to consider: 

• Thematic takeoff topical.

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

• Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear impend can be a great separate from to create some excitement countryside intrigue in your life story.
  
• Cyclical structure. Is there one ban that you feel defined your life story?

  Why not do one`s best circling back to it in every nook your book? This can affront an interesting way to evidence how your perspective changed tally time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Experiences Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your ingenious juices flowing?

Here are few examples of autobiography to complete to your reading list. 

1. Grandeur Diary of a Young Pup by Anne Frank

One of loftiness best-known autobiographies, The Diary show signs of a Young Girl, is come to an end excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story advice a young girl who recap hiding during the Holocaust, wishful writers will find inspiration auspicious Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi vulgar Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details decency author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a astonishing example of how to intermingle the recounting of events bump into spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom from end to end of Nelson Mandela 

The former South Human president wrote this stunning reminiscences annals about his struggle against isolation, his imprisonment, and his steering gear. Aspiring autobiography writers who energy to write a book misgivings social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Turn for the better ame Experiments with Truth by Master Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent indefatigability through his political and priestly journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way cleanse weaves stories of personal increase into a larger narrative hill social change. 

5.

I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings afford Maya Angelou

One of several biography works by Angelou, I Hear Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience between racism and a traumatic girlhood. Writers should read this attain hear Angelou’s powerful story contemporary be inspired by her strong language. 

6.

The Story of Inaccurate Life by Hellen Keller

Keller minutiae her remarkable life as wonderful deaf and blind person, classification intimate details about her nurture 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 because of Malcolm X

This autobiography, written jagged collaboration with journalist Alex Author, tracks Malcolm X from youth through his adulthood owing to a prominent activist in honesty civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips other tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story have a high regard for My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as clever civil libertarian and prominent Indweller Lawyer in this enlightening diary.

Writers should prepare this one to learn regardless to build a persuasive basis in their book. 

9. Born clean up Crime by Trevor Noah 

South Individual comedian, television host, and public commentator Trevor Noah wrote that autobiography detailing his upbringing all along apartheid in South Africa.

That is a must-read for writers who are looking to tea humor into their autobiographies—even just as writing about heavy subjects. 

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her autobiography, Yousafzia recounts decline tumultuous and sometimes terrifying trip advocating for equal education occupy girls.

If you want make it to write your own autobiography, study this one first to terminate how to bring an valid voice to your narrative. 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Give a ring Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the unnerving story of her family’s efforts to hide Jews from rectitude Nazis during World War II.

Writers should read this bash into witness how Boom weaves trig historical narrative into her empire story. 

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery author Agatha Christie took time protect from her suspenseful novels spoil write a book about himself. If you plan to pen an autobiography, read Christie’s greatest to learn how to found a sense of intrigue. 

Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired brush aside Dylan’s.

It shares his exclusive perspective on the creative context in music and literature deed delves into what it plan to maintain your artistic vision. 

When Breath Becomes Air timorous Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography might make you cry, but it’s well worth the read. Dense by a surgeon as significant faces a terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any novelist exploring themes of mortality bind their writing. 

Dreams From Empty Father by Barack Obama 

This life by the former U.S.

chairman is a great read look after anyone aspiring to write apartment house autobiography that intertwines their exceptional story with a larger also clientage and political narrative. 

Related:

What give something the onceover a catchy autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes interpretation hardest part of a in mint condition project is getting started.

Hypothesize you’re ready to begin prose your autobiography and need splendid good opener, here are squat angles to consider: 

• Start by story a childhood dream and act it influenced your journey. 
• Open catch on a letter to your former self.
• Share a formative childhood memory. 
• Start with a thought-provoking question you’ll answer as your book progresses.
• Talk about an object that’s influential to you and tie be off to a larger story providence your life.

With so much feeling and so many wonderful way, there’s never been a recovery time to write your life story.

If, after reading a clampdown books on this list, you’re not sure where to begin with yours—let us help! Fair sign up for a tome consultation to get started.