Memoir and autobiography are two distinct genres of literature. It offers readers glimpses into the lives of individuals. They may seem similar at first glance. However, there are some differences between the memoir vs autobiography. You may now think, how is a memoir different from an autobiography? Let’s explore.
A memoir is a personal account that focuses on specific events, experiences, or themes from the author’s life. It often explores the author’s emotions, reflections, and subjective perspectives. Also, it provides a more intimate and introspective narrative.
In contrast, an autobiography is an account of a person’s entire life, starting from birth, and spans various stages and milestones. Moreover, it presents a broader view of the author’s life. It encompasses a wide range of events and experiences. Autobiographies tend to be more objective and factual, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the author’s life journey.
What is a Memoir?
Memoirs are a literary genre that offers readers a glimpse into the lives and experiences of the subject. They provide a unique blend of personal reflection and historical context. It transports us to different times and places. But in between the allure of these narratives, one question arises: are memoirs nonfiction?
A memoir is a form of nonfiction literature that recounts the narratives of the author. Unlike fictional works, memoirs are grounded in real events. They serve as a reflection of one’s life journey. Let’s make you understand it with memoir examples.
1- When Breath Becomes Air
It is a nonfiction book by the American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. In his memoir, he discussed his life and battle with the last stage of lung cancer.
2- Waldin
Waldin is a memoir by the American writer Henry David Thoreau. In this piece of nonfiction, he narrated the story where he went into the woods and came out after two years.
Want to learn more about memoirs? Read our detailed guide on: What is a memoir?
Memoir vs Biography: The Difference
A biography is simply the life history of a person written by someone else. On the other hand, a memoir is the tale of a person’s specific memory written by themselves. The difference between memoir and biography can be identified by:
1- Focus
A memoir is a narrative that focuses on a specific period, theme, or aspect of the author’s life. In contrast, a biography aims to provide a broad account of a person’s entire life.
2- Perspective
Memoirs are typically written from the first-person point of view. On the other hand, a biography is usually written from a third-person perspective.
3- Authorship
In a memoir, the author is the person whose life is being explored. In contrast, a biography is written by someone other than the subject of the book.
What is an Autobiography?
After reading about memoirs, now there are questions that may arise in your mind. For example:
- What is an autobiography?
- What does autobiography mean?
An autobiography comes from the Greek word stems “Auto”, which means “Self”, “Bio”, which means “Life”, and “Graph”, which means “Write”. An autobiography is a life account of a person written by that person.
“An autobiography usually reveals nothing bad about its writer except his memory.” Franklin P. Jones
Biography vs Autobiography: The Difference
A biography is simply the life history of a person written by someone else. On the other hand, an autobiography is the life story of a person written by themselves. You can identify the difference between biography and autobiography by:
1- Focus
An autobiography is a narrative that focuses on the author’s own life. In contrast, a biography aims to provide a broad account of a person other than the author.
2- Perspective
An autobiography is typically written from the first-person point of view. On the other hand, biographies are usually written from a third-person perspective.
3- Authorship
In an autobiography, the author is the person whose life is being highlighted. In contrast, a biography is written by someone other than the subject of the book.
Now that you know the difference between all the types of biography, it is upon you if you want to write a memoir or autobiography or biography. Let’s have a quick look at how you can write them.
Before we delve into the writing process, let’s make you aware there are ghostwriting services. If you find difficulties writing anything, you can always have them at your disposal.
Memoir vs Autobiography vs Biography: The Writing Process
Memoir Writing
If you have an interest in writing memoirs, you must know:
- The elements of a memoir.
- Characteristics of a Memoir.
When writing your life story, you need to be candid, authentic, and artful.” says Blake Morrison – “but don’t forget the jokes”
The Elements of a Memoir
A memoir consists of the following:
A Theme: Memoirs should have a theme that covers everything.
Conflict: A conflict is a must-have for memoirs, where the subject overcomes an obstacle or a challenge.
Supporting Details: Your memoir will not work if your details don’t support your story.
Storytelling: No one will take an interest in your life unless you convey it in an engaging way.
Truth: Memoirs are not memoirs if the details are not factual.
Writing Style: Your writing style plays a vital role. So, ensure it conveys your voice and personality.
“Take your broken heart, make it into art.” Says Carrie Fisher. This is the best memoir writing advice you will hear
Characteristics of a Memoir
Writing memoirs is different from writing an autobiography. There is a difference between a memoir and an autobiography. Why do people write memoirs? To share memories from their life so people can understand their actions and decision. Having said that, let’s look at the characteristics of memoirs:
1- They should be entertaining.
2- They are personal.
3- They should focus on a specific time period.
4- They are memorable
5- They should convey an argument
6- They go deep into a single concept or event.
You can take a memoir writing course from Udemy to master the art of memoir. In addition, you should read the book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King. Moreover, you can have a look at the book “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr for insights into memoir writing.
How to Write an Autobiography?
Writing an autobiography begins with brainstorming. Consider life experiences you think people will love to read. Then, create an outline and start your research. Recall your memory and talk to friends and family so you can remember them correctly.
When you complete your first draft, proofread your unique content to make sure it is free from errors. You can also seek feedback from others for improvement.
Learn how to write an autobiography with MIT OpenCourseWare autobiography writing course.
If you want your story to go digital, you can acquire ebook writing services. They can help you create an ebook form of your autobiography. Moreover, do not forget to promote your autobiography so that your story will be heard by every person in the world.
Biography Writing
Don’t know how to write a biography? Writing a biography starts with getting permission from the person you want to write the story of. When you have the consent of the subject, the research process starts.
Then comes the part where you outline and structure your biography. Finally, you write the biography and edit it. Book formatting is also crucial before you publish it.
After you complete polishing your biography, here arrives the difficult part “Publishing”. This is where a self-publishing company can help. It will allow you to publish your book while you hold the creative control of your work.
It is important to create an eye-catching cover for your autobiography book, so it will attract readers. Also, you can acquire book marketing services to promote it and reach the intended audience.
FAQs
Why Would Someone Write a Memoir Instead of an Autobiography?
One will prefer a memoir over an autobio because of the secrets they want to share, or they might want to study or understand a situation. Some of the other reasons may include to:
- Keep the family's history alive.
- Learn more about one's own family.
- Figure out who they are.
- Gain knowledge about the past.
- Find healing after a difficult experience.
Is a Memoir More Factual than an Autobiography?
Memoir is typically based on emotions which can sometimes derail from the facts. Therefore, we can say that memoirs are not more factual than autobiographies.
What Makes a Book a Memoir?
Stories or experiences from a person's life make a memoir. In a memoir, the author wraps an important part of their life in a book.
Conclusion
In this detailed blog, we have discussed memoir vs autobiography. We shed light on the difference between the both. Memoirs focus on personal experiences and emotions, using storytelling techniques to create a strong connection with the reader. They give a deep look into specific parts of a person’s life and can be very emotional. Autobiographies, on the other hand, cover a person’s entire life and provide a more objective and factual account of their experiences. They give a broader understanding of the person and the time period they lived in.
We have also shed light on the writing process of memoir vs autobiography vs biography. So, you can decide what genre you want to go for if you are writing a book. However, if you still need help, you can ask Authors Breeze. We are here to provide the best services for authors in need. Whether you need assistance in writing or want author website design services to create a website for you, we are here to provide the top services.
Caroline Chartrand
As a writing expert, Caroline R Chartrand has written numerous books across various genres, from memoirs to self-help guides. With a passion for history and literature, she has delved into the lives of some of the fascinating figures in history, uncovering hidden stories and surprising facts.
