Biography first person narrative story

That was in and since then my books have sold over a million copies in 29 languages. Written by David Meerman Scott on March 26th, I write about strategies to turn fans into customers and customers into fans. Personal branding writing In my work, I frequently have an opportunity to read biographies on company websites, in LinkedIn and other social profiles, and on professional services firm 'About' pages.

Which dentist would you be drawn to? Tell your story! For example, here is the opening to my LinkedIn profile : I was fired. First-person narration may sometimes include an embedded or implied audience of one or more people. A story written in the first person is most often told by the main character, but may also be told from the perspective of a less important character as they witness events, or a person retelling a story they were told by someone else.

First-person narration presents the narrative through the perspective of a particular character. The reader or audience sees the story through the narrator's views and knowledge only. Furthermore, they may be pursuing some hidden agenda an " unreliable narrator ". Character weaknesses and faults, such as tardiness, cowardice, or vice, may leave the narrator unintentionally absent or unreliable for certain key events.

Specific events may further be colored or obscured by a narrator's background since non-omniscient characters must by definition be laypersons and foreigners to some circles, and limitations such as poor eyesight and illiteracy may also leave important blanks. Another consideration is how much time has elapsed between when the character experienced the events of the story and when they decided to tell them.

If only a few days have passed, the story could be related very differently than if the character was reflecting on events of the distant past. The character's motivation is also relevant. Are they just trying to clear up events for their own peace of mind? Make a confession about a wrong they did? Or tell a good adventure tale to their beer-guzzling friends?

The reason why a story is told will also affect how it is written. Unstable or malevolent narrators can also lie to the reader. Unreliable narrators are not uncommon. In the first-person-plural point of view , narrators tell the story using "we". That is, no individual speaker is identified; the narrator is a member of a group that acts as a unit.

The first-person-plural point of view occurs rarely but can be used effectively, sometimes as a means to increase the concentration on the character or characters the story is about. Examples include:. Each of these sources provides different accounts of the same event, from the point of view of various first-person narrators. There can also be multiple co-principal characters as narrator, such as in Robert A.

Heinlein 's The Number of the Beast. The first chapter introduces four characters, including the initial narrator, who is named at the beginning of the chapter. The narrative continues in subsequent chapters with a different character explicitly identified as the narrator for that chapter. Other characters later introduced in the book also have their "own" chapters where they narrate the story for that chapter.

The story proceeds in a linear fashion, and no event occurs more than once, i. The first-person narrator may be the principal character e. These can be distinguished as "first-person major" or "first-person minor" points of view. Narrators can report others' narratives at one or more removes. You can also look for secondary sources, which provide more context and perspective, such as:.

Existing biographies: Search for existing biographies and books about the subject or their era. How does your project stand out from the crowd? Academic articles and papers: Access journals through university libraries, which often have extensive collections of scholarly articles. Documentaries and biographical films: You can often find these on streaming services or public television archives.

Websites and blogs: Look for reputable websites and blogs dedicated to the subject or related fields. Social media platforms: The things people say on social media can offer insights into public perception about your subject. Finally, you can also conduct your own interviews. You can ask them for personal anecdotes to add more color to your book, or more information to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

Great biographers start from a place of curiosity. Before you start writing, you should know the answers to the following questions:. What level of education did your subject achieve and where did they study? How was your subject affected by the major political, cultural, and societal events that occurred throughout their life? What did their career path look like?

What were their major accomplishments? How did they contribute to their field, their country, or their community? Were they involved in any major controversies or scandals? If the subject is no longer living, how did they pass away? What lasting impact did the subject leave behind? An outline helps you structure your biography. You can write an extensive outline that includes every scene you need to write, or you can keep it simple and just make a list of high-level bullet points—whatever works best for your writing process.

If you want to keep things simple, you can simply go in chronological order. For instance, when writing about a musician, you might focus on their creative evolution and breakthrough moments. Or for a political figure, you could explore the key decisions and policies that defined their legacy. Having this focus helps guide your narrative choices.

Beyond the angle, how you organize the material matters too. While many biographies follow a chronological timeline , you can also build your story around major themes, relationships, or pivotal moments. The most memorable biographies make historical figures feel real and relatable through vivid details, meaningful anecdotes, and carefully chosen dialogue.

Picture writing about a renowned chef — including specifics about their signature recipes, descriptions of their kitchen dynamics, and conversations with their mentors adds color and depth. Thorough fact-checking forms the foundation of excellent biographical writing. Every date, quote, and detail must be verified to build credibility and trust with readers.

When your work rests on well-researched facts, it becomes both an engaging story and a reliable historical record that stands the test of time. Good research forms the foundation of any compelling biography. This section will walk you through proven research methods, from traditional archives to modern digital tools. For example, if they spent significant time in a particular city, check what materials the local historical society has in their collections.

Contact archivists early to understand access procedures and available resources. This advance planning will help you make the most of your research time. Physical archives are just the beginning.

Biography first person narrative story

Online databases and digital collections have made biographical research easier than ever before. Websites like Ancestry. Digital tools mean you can now access records from institutions around the world without extensive travel. Good interviewing requires careful preparation — develop open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses and create a comfortable environment where people feel at ease sharing their memories.

Connect with family members, colleagues, and others who knew your subject personally to capture those vital human details. As your research grows, staying organized becomes essential. Whether you use a digital tool like Evernote or a physical filing system, create clear categories for your materials based on topics, time periods, or sources.

Keep detailed records of where each piece of information came from — this will help you fact-check later and build credibility with readers. A well-organized research system makes the writing process much smoother. Careful research and verification form the core of any reputable biography. As a biographer, your job goes beyond just collecting information — you need systems and processes to ensure every detail is accurate and trustworthy.

Think of fact-checking like building a solid foundation. Each verified fact adds strength and stability to your work. Set up a clear system to check all information — from basic details like dates and names to complex elements like quotes and stories. This might involve creating detailed spreadsheets, using specialized fact-checking tools, or maintaining thorough research notes.

Your diligence here directly builds reader confidence. For example, two witnesses might recall events differently, or documents might present conflicting details. View these challenges as opportunities to sharpen your research skills. Examine each source carefully, considering their potential biases and limitations. Your role is to weigh all evidence and present a balanced perspective.

Professional biographers typically verify key facts through at least two independent sources to ensure accuracy and spot potential biases. Learn more about biographical research methods at The Sporting History Organization. When you find these gaps, be upfront about them with your readers. Explain what remains unknown and, where appropriate, offer careful analysis based on available evidence.

This honesty strengthens your credibility and shows readers your commitment to accuracy over speculation. Just as scientists record their methods, keep detailed notes about your fact-checking process.