Autobiography Characterictics

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.

There are innumerable ways to construct your story. No matter which method you choose, if you incorporate these five simple traits into your story it will be meaningful to you and others:

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

Before you start writing, you need to decide to be honest. This sounds simple, but it's amazing how easy it is to either embellish the description of events or inaccurately describe your feelings about a given event. Even leaving some things out can be a form of dishonesty. This means that you may have to address things in your autobiography that are painful or awkward for you to address.

2. Find Your Voice

We all experience times in our lives when we would rather be someone else. Now is not the time to try and be someone else. You want to preserve an accurate reflection of your personality.

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

3. Let the Audience Know 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 share how he went from poverty to wealth.

He desires to impart his secrets of happiness and success.

He examines his life for anything he would do differently.

Revisiting one's life is the next best thing to living it again.

He wants some level of immortality.

He wants to indulge himself.

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

Even through his success, he realizes that it could be taken from him at anytime.

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. Figure Out Who You're Writing For

Chances are that someone will read your autobiography someday (if you write it.) Who do you want to write for? If that person were present what would you tell him? Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is one of the most read autobiographies because he recognized that his audience was wider than himself or even his son.

So, who do you think will read your story? Your kids? Grandkids? Their kids?

5. Choose a Direction

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. Find Your Voice

3. Find Your Why

4. Know Your Audience

5. Know Where You're Headed

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!