What Is It Called When You Write a Book About Your Life?

An autobiography is a self-written account of your life, offering a firsthand perspective on personal experiences, milestones, and reflections. Unlike a biography, which is written by someone else, an autobiography captures your story in your own voice—making it an intimate and authentic narrative. It typically spans your entire life and emphasizes truth, emotional depth, and personal growth. From preserving memories to inspiring others, writing an autobiography allows you to connect with readers through shared humanity. If you’re wondering “what is it called when you write a book about your life?”—the clear and powerful answer is: an autobiography.

When you sit down to pen the story of your own life, the result is called an autobiography. This powerful form of storytelling allows you to share your experiences, reflections, and lessons in your own voice. But what exactly defines an autobiography, and how does it differ from other genres? This guide dives into the meaning of an autobiography, its key characteristics, and why it resonates with readers and writers alike, answering the question, “What is it called when you write a book about your life?” with clarity and depth.

Table of Contents

Toggle

A Person Who Writes About Their Own Life Story is Called

A person who writes about their own life story is called an autobiographer. This term describes someone who crafts a narrative of their personal experiences, reflections, and milestones, sharing their unique perspective directly with readers. As an autobiographer, you have the power to shape your story, blending authenticity and introspection to create a compelling and relatable account of your life.

Defining an Autobiography

An autobiography is a self-written account of your life, told from your perspective. The term comes from the Greek words autos (self), bios (life), and graphein (to write), literally meaning “self-life-writing.” It’s a nonfiction narrative where you recount personal experiences, from childhood memories to major milestones, in the first person (“I”). Unlike a biography, which is written by someone else about your life, an autobiography is your story, in your words, offering an intimate and authentic glimpse into your journey.

For example, if you were to write about growing up in a small town, overcoming personal challenges, or achieving a lifelong dream, that book would be your autobiography. It’s a chance to tell your truth, unfiltered, and connect with readers through shared human experiences.

Key Characteristics of an Autobiography

What makes an autobiography distinct? Here are its core features:

• First-Person Perspective: Autobiographies are written in the first person, allowing you to share your thoughts, emotions, and reflections directly. This creates a personal connection with readers, as they feel like they’re hearing your story firsthand.
• Focus on Personal Experiences: An autobiography covers significant moments in your life, such as family life, education, career, relationships, or pivotal events. It’s not just a timeline but a narrative shaped by your unique perspective.
• Authenticity and Truthfulness: As a nonfiction genre, autobiographies are grounded in real events and honest reflections. While memory can be subjective, the goal is to stay true to your lived experience, avoiding fictionalized elements.
• Broad Life Scope: Unlike a memoir, which focuses on a specific theme or period, an autobiography typically spans your entire life or a significant portion of it, providing a comprehensive view.

These characteristics make autobiographies compelling for readers seeking inspiration, insight, or a deeper understanding of someone’s journey.

Famous Examples of Autobiographies

To illustrate what an autobiography looks like, consider these well-known examples:

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: A poignant account of a Jewish girl’s life in hiding during World War II, written in her own words through diary entries.
• Becoming by Michelle Obama: A modern classic that traces the former First Lady’s life from her Chicago upbringing to her time in the White House, blending personal and public moments.
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela: A powerful narrative of Mandela’s life, from his early years to his fight against apartheid and his presidency.

These works show the diversity of autobiographies, spanning different cultures, eras, and experiences. They answer the question “what is it called when you write a book about your life?” by demonstrating how personal stories can resonate universally.

Why Write an Autobiography?

Writing an autobiography is a deeply personal endeavor with varied motivations:

• Preserving Memories: An autobiography captures your life for future generations, ensuring your story isn’t lost. For instance, documenting your family’s traditions or challenges can create a lasting legacy.
• Sharing Lessons: By reflecting on your experiences, you can offer insights or advice to readers. Overcoming adversity or achieving a goal can inspire others facing similar paths.
• Inspiring Others: Autobiographies often motivate readers by showing how ordinary people navigate extraordinary circumstances, fostering connection and hope.
• Self-Reflection: Writing your life story can help you process your own experiences, gaining clarity on your values, growth, and purpose.

For readers, autobiographies provide a window into another person’s world, offering relatability, education, or inspiration. Whether you’re a public figure or an everyday person, your story has the power to connect.

Autobiography vs. Other Genres

To fully understand what an autobiography is, it’s helpful to distinguish it from related genres:

• Autobiography vs. Memoir: A memoir is a subset of autobiography, focusing on a specific theme, period, or aspect of your life (e.g., a career or a relationship). An autobiography is broader, covering your entire life or a significant portion. For example, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a memoir about a year of travel and self-discovery, not her full life story.
• Autobiography vs. Biography: A biography is written by someone else, often incorporating research, interviews, or outside perspectives. For instance, Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs is a biography, while Jobs writing his own story would have been an autobiography.
• Autobiography vs. Fiction: Unlike novels, which are fictional, autobiographies are rooted in real events. Even if creative liberties are taken with dialogue or details, the core narrative must reflect your actual experiences.

These distinctions clarify what makes an autobiography unique and help answer related questions like “is an autobiography a memoir?” or “how is it different from a biography?”

Tips for Starting Your Autobiography

If you’re inspired to write your own autobiography, here are practical steps to begin:

1. Reflect on Key Moments: Start by jotting down significant events, such as childhood memories, major achievements, or challenges. Ask yourself, “What shaped who I am today?”
2. Create a Timeline: Organize your life into a chronological outline to provide structure. You can later decide whether to follow this timeline or focus on themes.
3. Be Authentic: Write honestly about your successes and struggles. Readers connect with vulnerability and truth, not perfection.
4. Find Your Voice: Use a tone that feels natural to you, whether it’s conversational, reflective, or humorous. This makes your story engaging and relatable.
5. Start Small: If the idea of writing your entire life feels daunting, begin with a single chapter or moment. You can expand from there.

These tips make the process accessible, addressing searcher questions like “how to write an autobiography” while encouraging authenticity.

Why Autobiographies Matter

Autobiographies are more than just books about your life—they’re a way to share your unique perspective, preserve your legacy, and connect with others. By answering “what is it called when you write a book about your life?” with “an autobiography,” you open the door to a rich tradition of storytelling. From historical figures like Benjamin Franklin to modern voices like Malala Yousafzai, autobiographies capture the human experience in all its complexity.

Whether you’re writing to inspire, reflect, or simply document your journey, an autobiography is a powerful tool. It invites readers to walk in your shoes, learn from your experiences, and perhaps even start writing their own stories.

Ready to Write Your Story?

Now that you know an autobiography is the answer to “what is it called when you write a book about your life?” you’re equipped to explore this genre further. Start by reflecting on your own experiences or reading autobiographies that resonate with you. Your story is worth telling—take the first step today.