Attributes of an Autobiography

Autobiography Characteristics can be a little difficult to nail down. The best way to think about autobiography characteristics is to figure out what gives your story character.

Once you've chosen the appropriate way your story, you'll need to remember five autobiography values to assure yourself that what you capture is an accurate reflection of the life you lived. Remember these five values:

1. Tell Your Story Honestly.

Easy, right? Not so fast. You have to make a decision to be honest. Otherwise, you may succumb to the natural desire to inflate the occurrences of you life. Most importantly, be honest in your descriptions and your feelings.

2. Find Your Voice

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...

It's you they want to learn about. Not someone else.

3. Your Why

Of course, you should have a why. This makes it easier to continue with the writing. It also lets your audience in on your reasons. You can explicitly express it, or you can let it show through in between the lines of what you write.

In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin stated 11 reasons for recording his life:

He liked reading about his own ancestors.

He thinks that his son (and others) will enjoy reading his autobiography.

To help others see how he overcame his impoverished childhood and created riches for himself.

He wants to explain how he succeeded and found happiness.

He remembers his life to see what he would change.

Next to reliving one's life, recollecting one's life is the best thing.

He would like for his story to persist.

He wants to indulge himself.

He wants to acknowledge the hand of God in his life.

He wants to explain that his success can be reversed.

I'm sure that Benjamin Franklin wouldn't mind if you stole one of his reasons. If nothing he wrote sounded like a good reason for you, then keep looking. I can't stress how important it is for you to find your Why.

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 in your life led you to where you are in life? Maybe your autobiography will demonstrate how your life was shaped. Or maybe you want your autobiography to just be a collection of stories. There are many directions to choose from - choose one!

To Sum It Up:

1. Don't lie to your audience (yourself or others)

2. Let You Shine Through

3. Figure Out Why You're Writing Your Autobiography

4. Know Your Audience

5. Choose a focus

By incorporating these traits into your autobiography, you will write your story in such a way that people will want to read it.

Get started!

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