Ask Jerry
Writing Preparation: As-Told-To Autobiography
Asked by June Miller on December 13, 2020
Hi Jerry,
I am looking for background knowledge on how to write an as-told-to autobiography. Would you suggest that I add any books to the following reading lists?
Listening to (many more in the library) on Audible:
o Just as I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham (You know who wrote this one 😊.)
o I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Reading/rereading:
o A Memoir of Dangerous Faith (another of yours)
o A Memoir on the Craft of Writing by Stephen King
o Malcolm X by Alex Haley
In the mail:
o Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
o Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
Thank you so much!
June
Jerry's Answer
All great, June!
I would add these two:
https://www.amazon.com/Undone-Story-Making-Peace-Unexpected/dp/0310339782
https://amzn.to/2TjNAp4
(The second one is my favorite book ever:Â All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg.)