About the Author:
Heather McCartin is a self proclaimed 'bookworm' who loves sharing and swapping book titles. She is currently pursuing a Master of Library Science degree at Emporia State University and will graduate in December 2017. When she isn't in school, she is working at the Johnson County Library as a page.
What Makes a Good Biography?
The Difference Between Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir
Want to Write Your own Biography?
According to Merriam Webster:
A Biography is a written history of a person's life
An Autobiography is the biography of a person narrated by him or herself
A Memoir is a narrative composed from personal experience
Writer's Digest takes a closer look at autobiography and memoir:
Autobiographies focuses on the chronology of the author's entire life
Memoirs cover one specific aspect of a person's life.
So there may be some blurring between autobiography and memoir. Authors may label their book as 'memoir' to help clarify the genre. Memoirs are considered very trendy and are a newer genre.
Mary McVicker at The Writer offers some excellent advice on writing a biography (or autobiography if you are writing about yourself). Ready to take the plunge? Consider the following steps for success:
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Evaluate your potential subject
What makes your subject appealing?
What interests you about this person?
What might interest readers about this person?
What obstacles did this person face?
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Distill and shape your material
Preplanning is crucial to success
Make a rough chronology of your subject's life
Note the high and low points of your subject
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Formulate a research plan
Where will you find your information?
Information will come in bits and pieces - not in order
Look into your subject's background
Know when you stop
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Take the plunge
Think about where you want to start with the book
Look at other biographies and see what's effective
Katherine Bucher and M. Lee Manning break down several key characteristics that make a good biography in their book Young Adult Literature: Exploration Evaluation and Appreciation (2006)
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Biographies should be authentic and honest
The subject is seen objectively and without bias
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Accuracy is extremely important
Controversial information is committed
Characters are seen as complex, with strengths and
weaknesses
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Biographies should tell the story of a person's way of life in a way that captures and holds the reader's interest
There needs to be a narrative thread to tie the story
together.
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Avoid stereotypes
Show all characters as individuals, with unique
strengths and weaknesses
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Authors must respect the accepted beliefs and traditions of the period they are writing about
Capture the subjects as they lived in their own times
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The subject, theme, and writing should be appropriate for the intended audience
Consider the following from Bucher and Manning
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What are the author's credentials?
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Are the fictionalized parts identified?
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Is the content up to date, complete, and objective?
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Does the biography present all sides of controversial issues?
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Is the biography relevant to young adults?
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Is there a bibliography or list of recommended readings?
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Are there special features - illustrations, replicas or documents, artifacts?
How to Use the Site
This site features a collection of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Each genre has its own page on the site, which display a variety of books.
The books featured on the site are award winners and best sellers, books that get people talking and wanting to know more. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) house several book awards and media lists to highlight excellence in young adult literature.
If you see a book you like, click on the WorldCat or Amazon link to learn more about the title.
There's also a recommendations page that provides places to buy and sell books, read and write reviews, and connect with readers around the world.
