The number of ways to construct an autobiography is about as diverse as the number of people who write them. However, there are some simple items that you can include in your autobiography that will make it both personal and meaningful to others.
1. Tell Your Story Honestly.
Everyone believes he's honest. Trouble is that we all tend to exaggerate our lives. Choose honesty from the get-go. Your audience will appreciate and you will respect yourself in the morning.
2. Sound Like You
This is a tough one. When I write, I sometimes choose vocabulary that doesn't sound like me at all. It sounds overly stuffy or cold. It's tempting to try and sound like someone else. Someone more educated. Or someone funnier. Or less funny. Or...Or...Or...
People appreciate you. Let them see you.
3. Figure Out Why You're Writing Your Autobiography
You should have a why for writing your autobiography. In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin included, as an introduction, a letter to his son. In the letter Mr. Franklin explains his Why for writing his story.
In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin stated 11 reasons for recording his life:
He liked reading about his own ancestors.
He thought others might like reading about him.
He wants to tell his rags-to-riches story.
He wants to describe how he found happiness.
He examines his life for anything he would do differently.
Revisiting one's life is the next best thing to living it again.
Make the autobiography "durable." He wants it to persist.
He wants gratify himself.
He wants to acknowledge the hand of God in his life.
Success is fleeting.
Perhaps one of Benjamin Frankin's reasons struck a nerve with you. If one did, use it. If not, be sure to find your Why. This is one of the most important of the autobiography characteristics. You'll need it to work through the slow times.
4. Know Your Audience
While writing an autobiography can be a very personal experience, it's important to know that unless you destroy your work, someone will probably read it someday. Know this. Think about what you want that person to know. For Benjamin Franklin, he addressed his son. But beyond his son, Benjamin Franklin looked to a much wider audience. And he succeeded. His autobiography is one of the most read autobiographies in the world.
So, who do you think will read your story? Your kids? Grandkids? Their kids?
5. Know Where Your Headed
How have the events of your life molded you? Do you want to show how good your life was? Or maybe how bad you had it? Do you want to share just a portion of your life? Just an event? The directions are many - choose one and go with it.
To Sum It Up:
1. Tell Your Story Honestly.
2. Find Your Voice
3. Let the Audience Know Your Why
4. Know Who You're Writing For
5. Choose a Direction
Write something that people want to read. By adding these attributes to your autobiography, people will appreciate your work.
