How to write a biography about a famous person
- How to write a biography about a family member
- How to write biography about myself
- Simple short bio example yourself
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Is there someone you’re interested in, someone who’s been on your mind awhile, for whom there’s no biography, either for yourself or for a younger reader? Why not write one yourself? Biography offers much more scope than many writers realize. But how do you do it? And where do you start?
1. Evaluate your potential subject, her appeal, and what types of readers might be interested.
Before you embark on a biography, consider these questions:
• Is enough information available to write this biography? You may need to do some preliminary research to answer this question.
• Are there other biographies of this person on the market? If so, how would yours be different?
• If you’re writing for a middle reader or young adult, is your subject appropriate for that age group? A biography of an infamous courtesan obviously would not be age-appropriate for a YA title. There may be other considerations that are less obvious.
• Does this life merit a full book?
The potential market is an essential component of your decision to write the biography or not. Although wor
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How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]
From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life. Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story.
However, portraying someone’s life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If you’re looking to write a biography yourself, in this post we’ll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow.
How to write a biography:
FREE RESOURCE
Biography Outline Template
Craft a satisfying story arc for your biography with our free template.
1. Seek permission when possible
While you technically don’t need permission to write about public figures (or deceased ones), that doesn't guarantee their legal team won't pursue legal action against you. Author Kitty Kelley was sued by Frank Sinatra before she even started to write His Way
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How to Write a Biography: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing a biography can be a rewarding endeavor, but it can also feel a bit daunting if you’ve never written one before.
Whether you’re capturing the life story of a famous person, a family member, or even yourself, creating a compelling biography involves a mix of thorough research, narrative skill, and a personal touch.
So, how exactly do you write a successful biography?
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials to help you craft a biography that’s both informative and engaging, as well as our top tips for how to make it truly shine.
What Is a Biography?
A biography is a detailed account of someone’s life.
A well-written biography needs to be objective and accurate. At the same time, it needs to depict more than just the basic facts like birth, education, work, relationships, and death—it should also portray the subject’s personal experience of those events.
So, in addition to being a good researcher, a good biographer also needs to be a good storyteller. You should provide insights into the subject’s personality, mot