Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [biography]

Questions about biographies of others and about autobiographies.

Questions about biographies of others and about autobiographies.

34 questions
12
votes
5 answers

My autobiography is exciting, but I'm an unknown. Should I make it a novel instead?

I've kept diaries all my life and now have over 100...which I've recently started turning into an autobiography - where some of the original diary quotes are included along with the new text. I belong to a local writers group, most of whom are well…
Jenny Webb
  • 123
  • 1
  • 6
10
votes
4 answers

In writing biographies how do you reference a change of last name?

Using first label as the full name - first, middle, maiden/birth name. (Margaret Anne Jensen was born on November...) Discuss early achievements by referencing only birth last name - Jensen. (Jensen graduated from college...) After marriage…
Michele Tombari
10
votes
5 answers

How can one write about illegal deeds without getting into trouble?

What is some good advice for writing about things done, in an autobiographical sense, that may have been or still are illegal? For example, smoking or buying marijuana is illegal in many countries, yet people write about doing this without a…
J.T.
  • 191
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
8
votes
6 answers

How to stop projecting yourself into your writing?

I am writing about a person who is transported 10 years into the past, and has the chance to relive their life (actually being able to: 'knowing what I know now I would...') The trouble is I keep projecting myself into the protagonists shoes. This…
DarcyThomas
  • 303
  • 2
  • 7
5
votes
5 answers

How do I approach writing an autobiography?

I have never kept a diary, and some time back I thought it would be fun to work on some sort of autobiography to note down any memorable events etc. I am not famous, and even if completed the 'audience' for this is basically going to be a few…
Alok
  • 161
  • 1
  • 6
5
votes
2 answers

Citing speech and interviews in biographies

I am currently writing a biography of a band, and have a question regarding citing quotes, such as from interviews. Is it necessary to cite everything a person (for example a band member or manager) has said, from the original source of the…
Ali
  • 151
  • 3
4
votes
1 answer

First name or last name(s) in a biography?

I'm deep into a biography of a well-known person. He was born with a last name, took his mother's last name following her divorce, took his stepfather's last name following her remarriage, then took a stage name by which he became famous. The only…
jumblejim
  • 41
  • 1
4
votes
3 answers

How can people doing technical, archane work be portrayed interestingly?

I'd like to write the biography of an important, underrated scientist who performed a really important experiment. He persevered for many years, became ill (and recovered) along the way, and practically invented molecular biology. He and his work…
Al C
  • 213
  • 2
  • 5
4
votes
1 answer

How do you refer to someone in a formal essay?

I'm writing a formal essay on a book. The book is about a real person, but they are referred to by their first name throughout the entire book. When writing the essay, do I stay consistent with the book and refer to the person by their first name,…
wshtf0
  • 41
  • 1
  • 2
4
votes
1 answer

What are some creative memoir writing styles?

I am in the process of writing a memoir covering several years of my life while I was at Google and working on the earliest versions of Chromebook. My goals are to write a book which is simultaneously non-fiction, information, and interesting to…
Jeff-Inventor ChromeOS
  • 141
  • 5
3
votes
1 answer

How to organize memoirs for a biography?

I'm about to start organizing someone's life story to eventually send to a biographer to write a book and would like some suggestions on how to start and organize the process, please. As they are unable to type and not very techno-savvy, this is my…
ElHaix
  • 131
  • 2
3
votes
3 answers

How to write a powerful but uncomplicated conference biography?

I am working on a bio for a development conference I am presenting at. My writing style causes my Flesch Reading Ease score to trend high. While I like what I have below I'd like to simplify it a bit without losing impact. What are some options for…
ahsteele
  • 247
  • 1
  • 6
  • 11
3
votes
2 answers

Can I include a short biography of the person to whom my book is dedicated?

I am writing a non-fiction, somewhat historic, book and I want to dedicate it to a person who did pioneer work on Education in Science in Brazil. She has passed away recently and was professionally related to one of the main characters in my book;…
Claudio Gorodski
  • 131
  • 3
3
votes
2 answers

Should I write 3 separate autobiographies?

I have started writing my autobiography. I am going to describe 3 very important life events. Now, should I write about all three life events in one book or should I write them separately?
Violet sky
  • 31
  • 1
3
votes
2 answers

Is it correct to use acronyms in a bio or should I omit it?

In writing a bio in a technical context, like an author blurb in a publication, should I use acronyms or spell them out? Always? Depending on the context? For example: Degrees: BS, MS, PhD, MCC Certifications: PMP (Project Management…
Eduardo Hernández
  • 31
  • 3
1
2 3