A good biography is a great mix on an interesting life story and fun facts. That means if a biography fails to balance both, it falls short. A biography focusing too much on the fictive-like storytelling will still be interesting, but it fail to deliver the factual aspect that ties it to the real world. On the other hand, focusing too much on facts can make the book overwhelming or a bit boring.
This brings up the question of "how to write a biography?" To help you out, I created a practical guide that will cover everything you need. Remember that you still have to write the book. But the guide will give you the rundown you need.
What is a Biography?
First, what is a biography. In a way we all know. But let's get technical. A biography is a detailed and oftentimes, factual account of someone's life. A typical biography covers big moments such as childhood, career, relationships and so on. But below the surface there's more. A good biography must also pinpoint big moments that make the reading interesting and connect them together. For example: what was the big childhood moment that made the person have a successful business career?
Memoir vs. Biography vs. Autobiography
Before we move on, I also want to cover the differences between a biography, autobiography and a memoir.
Biography – A biography is a deep take on a person’s life, written by somebody else.
Autobiography – An autobiography a biography that the person writes themselves.
Memoir – A memoir is a subgenre of autobiography that focuses on a key moment in person's life rather than telling the story of their whole life.
Here's an example. If Michelle Obama were writing about her own life, it would be an autobiography (which she did, in Becoming). In cases where historians write about her, the books would be a biography. If she decided to write a book specifically about her time as First Lady, that would be a memoir.
Choosing the right category depends on whose story you’re telling and how you want to tell it.
Biography Types
Now, let's go over types of biographies. While they all cover someone's life, we can split a biography in several sub-genres. So let's do that.
Historical Biographies
Historical biographies bring the past to life by telling the stories of famous historical figures. The obvious difference here is that the person is long gone, so a writer must spend a big chunk of their time on research. Since what's real and not can be blurry, historical biographies take most research. A great example is Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.
Celebrity Biographies
Celebrity biographies are more straightforward. Imagine them as a behind-the-scenes look at the "personal life" of public figures. Celebrity biographies can be both comedic and serious, depending on the take the writer (and the person in question or their representative) decide to take. A good example is Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
How to Write a Biography?
Now that we understand the basics, let's start with the main part - how to write a biography. As mentioned earlier, here are my 6 steps that cover the process.
This will be a summary to help you understand the path. You'll still have to do your research and writing. Let's start.
Step 1: Subject
The obvious first step is deciding on the subject. Who you write about will shape the entire process. Here it also depends if you're an independent writer or a writer who works for a specific publishing company and needs to write someone's biography.
Since the article focuses more on independent writers who are also beginners, I'll cover it from that perspective.
Picking the Right Subject
Let's say you just want to practice biography writing. You also have a person you want to write about. Here are some questions to consider if the person is worth writing a book about:
Did the person overcome obstacles, make groundbreaking discoveries, or influence history?
Can the story offer more than just accomplishments? Can it explore the person’s character?
Do you have access to information?
What draws you to the person's story? What do you want the readers to get from the book?
Remember that you don't need a strong answer to all of these questions. Maybe you have a neighbor who had a personal but thrilling life that millions would like to know about. But you should have a founding and strong understanding of the topic as you read the questions.
Getting Permission (If Necessary)
Before moving one to step 2, let's get a bit technical. Before you write, you need to get a permission from the person or their family.
Well-known public figures - Since most of their lives are public, you’re free to explore their personal stories. Nevertheless, you can't just write about their lives without consequences. Unauthorized biographies often lead to legal backlash. So ensure you get the permission.
Private individual - You also need permission since you're covering their life which can lead to public exposure.
In short, you almost always need to get permission from the person or their family. If the person is a historical figure such as Julius Cezar, you obviously don't.
Step 2: Conduct Research
Once you have your subject, it's time to do the research. From my experience, this can often be either extremely interesting or overwhelmingly exhausting. It rarely falls somewhere in the middle.
Here it also depends on the biography sub-genre how much research you'll need. Charlie Chaplin's biography will require more than a biography about a friend since you don't have direct access to Chaplin of course.
One big thing to remember here is that good research isn't just digging up facts. It is also the ability to use those facts to provide meaningful insight into subject's motivations and challenges.
As Isaacson said:
“I’ve always had an abundance of material about the subjects of my biographies” – Walter Isaacson
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Next, we'll cover primary vs secondary sources. It's easy to understand and although not as interesting, something you should be aware of.
Primary sources are firsthand accounts. For example:
Personal letters, diaries, or journals
Interviews with the person who's the biography's subject
Official records
Autobiographies
Recordings of the person
Personal possessions such as photos
Secondary sources interpret primary sources. For example:
Books and articles about the subject
Documentaries or biographies
Newspaper and magazine articles
Online databases
An easy strategy is to start with secondary sources to get a stable overview of the subject's life. Then, go deeper with primary sources to understand finer details.
Conducting Interviews
If your subject is still alive—or if you can speak to people who knew them—interviews can be one of the most valuable research tools. Firsthand accounts bring the biography to life in a way that other sources cannot.
How to prepare for an interview:
Do your homework.
Read everything you can about your subject beforehand so you can ask meaningful questions.
Ask open-ended questions.
Instead of “Did you enjoy working with Steve Jobs?” try “What was the most challenging part of working with Steve Jobs?”
Record (with permission).
While taking notes is helpful, recording ensures you capture everything accurately.
Be patient and listen.
Sometimes the best stories come from letting the interviewee talk freely.
If interviewing isn’t an option, reading previous interviews or speeches will give you a sense of your subject.
Cross-Checking Facts
With so much information available, it’s essential to fact-check everything. A mistake can damage the credibility of your biography.
Here’s how to cross-check facts:
Verify dates, locations, and quotes with official records.
Stick to reputable websites, historical archives, and other sources.
If something sounds exaggerated or unlikely, dig deeper before including it. Don't give in to the grind.
Step 3: Structure the Biography
You have your subject, researched enough materials, and you're ready to write the biography. But wait, before jumping in, it's a good idea to give the biography a structure first.
Now, there's isn't a single right way to do this. Nor is there a single wrong way. What I'm saying is you don't have to spend too much time here. But do consider the following common approaches:
Chronological Order (Most Common)
You begin with the subject's birth or early life and follows major events in linear order. This is the obvious structure we all think of when thinking about what a text-book biography should look like. The structure is perfect for historical biographies or if you want to showcase gradual development. For an example, I'll again go back to Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Read it if haven't.
Thematic Structure
Rather than having a strict chronological sequence, thematic structures build the biography around big life moments. Chapter one could be a big moment from childhood where the writer dedicates most of the biography. Then the biography skips to person's late 40s as the next big moment. A good example here is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The book explores themes of racism, bioethics, and human rights rather than just the life of the person.
Nonlinear Structure
This style jumps connects different points in time, creating a more dynamic narrative. It can be tricky to write a biography with a nonlinear structure, but is a great, almost fictive-like, way to build suspense. A good example is Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
Step 4: Write the Biography
And finally, we come to the big step: writing the biography.
Deciding on the Right Tone & Style
Choosing the appropriate tone and style sets the mood for the entire biography. Align the tone with the story you want to tell. But also consider the audience. Although it can be an interesting mix, you probably don't want to have a scholarly approach if you're writing a biography about a famous chef.
For a general audience, the safe approach is narrative-driven that incorporates storytelling to create an engaging real-life story. But if you're aiming for a memoir-style biography, you want an intimate tone to spotlight the emotional depth.
Balancing Objectivity & Perspective
While you want to admire the subject, it's important to stay objective, especially if you're telling the story of a serious figure. Don't write a biography as a tribute to someone you admire (even if you do admire the person.) You also don't want to spend 200 pages criticizing someone. The goal is for you to keep it balanced.
Here are my tips:
Include successes and failures - No one is perfect, and struggles make for good reading.
Use multiple perspectives - Quotes from friends, critics, and historians add depth.
Keep personal bias in check - Stick to facts while acknowledging different viewpoints.
Step 5: Editing the Biography
Research and writing will take time, so take it slow. But if you stay consistent, soon enough you'll have a ready first draft. And when you have one, you'll be ready for the 5th step which is editing. Editing is the step that turns a rough draft into a polished book. As always, you need patience, an eye for details and the willingness to maybe burn entire chapters if that means a better biography.
The First Read
After finishing your draft, take a break. No need to jump to editing right away. Then, read the biography without making any changes. Instead, take notes on:
Areas that feel too slow or too rushed
Sections that lack clarity
Any inconsistencies in tone, voice, or structure
Repetitive phrases or unnecessary tangents
If you do the first read right, it will almost always give a tremendous book to the overall book quality.
Strengthening the Narrative
With the notes ready, it's time to strengthen the narrative first. Ask yourself the following questions:
Does the story flow naturally?
Is there enough tension and resolution?
Are transitions smooth?
You won't always have a clear yes or no answer. But keeping the notes on possible "NOs" will come in handy later when you ask for feedback.
Refining Language and Style
Like with any book, sentences must be clear, concise, and engaging. Check your notes and see which chapters feel week and why. Again, here are my suggestions:
Cut unnecessary words.
Keep the writing tight and impactful.
A mix of short and long sentences keeps the rhythm natural.
Avoid excessive adverbs. Instead of saying “She spoke loudly,” say “She shouted.”
Fact-Checking
Fact-checking is straight forward. You'll have more if you're writing a historical biography, but overall, list and fact-check the following:
Dates, names, and locations
Quotes and attributions
Any historical or cultural references
The accuracy of secondary sources
Getting Feedback
You can never catch all flaws in your book. So always look to get feedback. This brings us back to strengthening the narrative. Since what makes a strong narrative can become blurry fast when you're in the fray, you want a fresh take on your book. Share your draft with:
Beta readers (friends, family, or anyone who represents your target audience)
Subject-matter experts if the biography requires so
Professional editors if you want to publish the biography
Step 6: Publishing and Sharing the Biography
This is where the journey ends for some. Others might want to publish and share their biography. In that case, here's a rundown of possible options.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing provides professional editing and design, credibility, wider distribution, and some level of marketing support. But you need to have a good enough book for someone to consider your work.
You often need a literary agent who can pitch your book to publishers, and the process can be slow, often taking months or even years. Additionally, you'll likely have less creative control over key aspects such as edits, cover design, and marketing strategies.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is an excellent alternative where you keep your freedom. You can release your biography in formats such as eBooks on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Apple Books, or Smashwords.
Since there's no agent to back you up, you need to do most of marketing.
Alternative Publishing Methods
If a full-length book isn’t your goal, there are several alternative ways to share a biography. A blog series allows you to publish the story in segments on your personal blog. Another option is creating a podcast or video documentary.
If you prefer traditional media, consider pitching excerpts or adaptations of the biography to magazines or newspapers, which can provide exposure and credibility while reaching readers who are interested in your subject’s life and legacy.
Marketing and Promotion
No matter how you publish, getting people to read your work is the real challenge. Social media is a great tool, especially if your subject already has a following. Posting interesting facts, behind-the-scenes details, or short excerpts can draw people in.
Include a short bio in your book to give readers a quick glimpse into your professional background. A short professional bio should highlight your expertise, career path, and successes. There are many short bio examples to help inspire you.
Guest blogging or appearing on podcasts gives you a chance to talk about your research and connect with new audiences. An email newsletter will also help build a reader base over time, keeping people engaged and updated on your work.
If you’re launching a book, hosting events, or speaking at relevant gatherings, you can generate excitement and help spread the word.
Mistake to Avoid when Writing a Biography
Writing a biography is a challenging task, and several common mistakes can weaken the final result. Here are some things to look out for:
Lack of thorough research
Focusing too much on facts without storytelling
Lack of objectivity
Poor narrative flow and structure
Skipping the editing process
Examples of Best-Selling Biographies
Below are several best-selling biographies that showcase a wide range of influential figures. From political leaders to innovators, their stories continue to resonate with readers worldwide.
Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
Isaacson details the life of one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers and offers insight into his many roles as a scientist, diplomat, and philosopher.
Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera.
The captivating biography explores the life of the iconic Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, revealing the personal struggles and passions that shaped her art and legacy.
Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert.
This biography of Winston Churchill, one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, provides an in-depth look at his life. From his political career ti his personal life, it captures his resilience during critical moments in history.
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois.
A foundational work in African American literature, this biography and collection of essays explores the struggles of African Americans in the post-Reconstruction era. The addresses themes of race, identity, and social justice in early 20th-century America.
These best-selling biographies not only capture the essence of their subjects’ lives but also provide valuable lessons in perseverance, innovation, and leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Write a Biography (FAQs)
Here we answered your questions about biographies:
1. How long should a biography be?
A biography averages 80,000 words but it can exceed 150,000 words (for an in-depth book). The length depends on the subject’s significance and the amount of detail included.
2. How do I start to write a biography?
Start by researching the person’s life, noting key events, achievements, and personal struggles. Then, create an outline and begin with an introduction that highlights their significance.
3. What are the main features of a biography?
A biography tells the story of a person’s life, starting with an introduction about who they are why they matter. It explores important moments and how their experiences shaped who they became.
4. What are some sentence starters for a biography?
When starting a biography, certain sentence structures help set the stage for the story. For example, “[Name] was born on [date] in [place], a time of [historical context].” Another approach is to introduce early interests or talents: “From a young age, [Name] showed a passion for [interest or skill].”
