It's Your Story: The Memoir vs. The Autobiography

You want your story told, but should you write a memoir or an autobiography? What's the difference, anyway? It's a big one, according to personal biographer Thom Hayes of Book Your Life Publishing. "A memoir is told from memory or personal experience" says Hayes. "It's a very personal, intimate telling of your story." The autobiography is much more structured and formal. Autobiographies often follow a prescribed time line from younger years to older. Facts are checked for accuracy, and it can have a more historical feel.

What's the best format for you? "There is no 'best' format." says Hayes. "It's a matter of personal taste." While some feel more comfortable with a personal telling of their life story, others like the structure an autobiography provides. Memoirs can allow a person to chronicle certain parts of their lives, like childhood, or the story of a marriage. Memoirs suit people who want to focus on a particularly important part of their lives.

The autobiography suits people who like to look at the big picture. They like seeing their life spread out before them in an orderly fashion. While is sounds organized, "this is a much more challenging format for people to undertake themselves, because it's difficult to put all the pieces of one's life together in order." says Hayes. "We use time lines to help with that process." Hayes, who writes biographies for individuals and organizations, says time lines can be helpful, but it's important to jump around the time line to draw out more memories. "People can get bogged down with keeping things in order. Time lines should be approached loosely, and tightened up later once you've drawn out the past." While it's more difficult to work in this fashion, it's tremendously rewarding.

So what's right for you? Hayes recommends journaling to figure out what your style is. "Write down your experiences. If you find yourself starting at the beginning and writing right through, the autobiography is for you. But if you find yourself gravitating toward one or two important periods in your life, and you have a lot to say about that time period, then a memoir is more your style."