Many years ago, I read Raymond Ackerman`s book Hearing Grasshoppers Jump – and this week, with his passing away, the book reminded me that his life story is still out there, for all to read.
HOW DO I WRITE MY OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY?
Here are a few points to keep in mind when you embark on the journey of writing your own autobiography.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? AUTOBIOGRAPHY VS BIOGRAPHY
Mary Gormandy explains the key factors to keep in mind:
Authorship: Who writes the book is the primary difference between an autobiography and a biography. An autobiography is always written by the person the book is about. A biography is always written by someone other than the subject of the book.
Point of View: An autobiography is usually written in first person point of view (I, me, my) since the book is about the author’s own experiences. A biography is typically written in third person point of view (she, her, hers, he, him, his) since the author is describing someone else’s experiences.
Authorized vs. Unauthorized: Authorized means that the book is written with the permission and cooperation of the person the book is about, while unauthorized means that it is not. While a biography can be authorized or unauthorized, an autobiography is always authorized.
WHY ARE YOU TELLING YOUR STORY?
The first important factor is to decide what the purpose of your text is going to be. Why are you telling your story? According to Jeremy Cook, it should fall into one of three categories.
To inform: if the purpose is to inform, there should be lots of facts and information to support the story.
To entertain: stories that aim to entertain will use lots of emotional language and situations that make it fun to read.
To persuade: does the author tell his or her story to persuade the reader to feel, think or do something? This kind of autobiography wants the reader to react or do something.
DECIDE ON YOUR STYLE OF WRITING
Make your autobiography effective by looking at three crucial aspects of your writing: style, diction, and tone, says Jeremy Cook.
Style: choose between a narrative approach, a descriptive style of writing, or an emotional approach.
Diction is the words and phrases that the author chose to use in their writing. This ties back to the person’s lifetime and lifeline.
Tone is like the personality of the story. It reflects the attitude the author wants to portray. Tone in a story can be humorous, scary, sad, or respectful, not to mention many other examples.
BORN A CRIME: STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD
Published in 2016, Born a Crime is Trevor Noah’s autobiography. The book focuses on Noah’s childhood growing up in South Africa after he was born of an illegal interracial relationship during the apartheid era. The book was a worldwide bestseller.
We as South Africans understand the context and the consequences of our apartheid past. Noah’s brilliant sense of humour and the honesty with which he writes, makes his autobiography so memorable.
PURPOSE AND STYLE OF WRITING: HOW DOES NOAH DO IT?
“By turns alarming, sad and funny . . . not just an unnerving account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the author’s remarkable mother.” (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)
“Noah’s childhood stories are told with all the hilarity and intellect that characterizes his comedy, while illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa’s history that must never be forgotten.” (Esquire)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INFORM, ENTERTAIN OR PURSUADE…
Why not write your own autobiography? Remember that, as a writing coach, I can explore the various options with you to find an approach perfect for you.