The Arvon Book of Life Writing: Writing Biography, Autobiography and Memoir

by Sally Cline, Carole Angier

This practical handbook for writers includes the best resources and techniques from the world famous Arvon writing course. It answers the key questions writers have when tackling a biography or memoir—methods of research, authorization, interpretation, and a variety of ethical issues. The book is filled with practical exercises to develop writing skills in empathy, managing drama and suspense, interviewing, narration and reflection and developing the story line. It also has professional advice from twenty well-known literary, cultural, political, sports and celebrity biographers, family memoirists, travel writers and ghost writers.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jessica Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but not all that inspiring. Was like reading a biography about biography. I still enjoyed it though.

[Molebatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Arvon Book of Life Writing is an indispensable and profoundly encouraging guide for anyone drawn to the art of memoir and autobiography. More than a simple manual, it functions as a masterclass between covers, distilling the wisdom of experienced tutors and renowned authors into accessible, thoughtful chapters. The book brilliantly balances practical advice on structure, voice, and ethics with inspiring reflections on memory’s fluidity and the transformative power of giving shape to personal experience. Its greatest strength lies in its compassionate tone; it acknowledges the emotional challenges of revisiting the past while providing the technical tools to do so with clarity and creativity. For both tentative beginners and seasoned writers, this volume is not just a guide to life writing, but a compelling companion for the journey itself.

[Eva Lehmann-Bauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

wasn't that great in comparison to the Everything Guide to writing Non Fiction.