Writing a biography is the closest thing to immortalizing a human being that we have. Once a person’s in a book, it lives on forever. Since time is our worst enemies – kudos for inventing it, right? – we are terrified of going out into the vast unknown without having left a trace of ourselves behind, an imprint – no matter how small – on the world we’ve lived in.
The task of a biographer is an extremely daunting one, particularly because it can be somewhat difficult to write about the life of anyone else but her/his own. This is not to say that it’s impossible. In fact, if you want to write my essay as a professional biography writer, now’s the time, given that the niche is slowly but surely expanding.
Let us give you a few tips on how to cut your teeth as a professional biographer.
The Big 4
- Assess What Type Of Biographies You’d Like To Write
Are you interested in writing about the lives of writers, movie or music stars or historical figures? Each of these requires a different approach, as well as a different education. For instance, you simply can’t write about a historical figure if you haven’t studied history or about a musician if you’re not acquainted with music.
This is the very first step you have to make if you want to be successful as a biographer.
- Work On Your Social Skills And Your Nerves
Writing a biography will automatically create a bond between the writer and his/her subject. You’re going to be seeing the one you’re writing about so frequently that you’ll feel like you’ll lose your mind if you don’t get some quality alone-time.
That, however, is something you should prepare for. You’ll most probably end up hating your hero – in case you’ve managed to sign a contract with somebody you’ve idolized for years. Spending so much time with someone will reveal their imperfections and vices.
In this light, biographers are really like superheroes. Obviously, it’s less likely that you’ll end up fighting with knives. It’s just that writing a biography requires a certain closeness and intimacy with a perfect stranger that you’ll need to bear.
- Be Neutral At All Times and At All Costs
Biographies are written from a neutral point of view. As a biographer, you’re really not supposed to criticize and over-analyze your subject. That’s what memoirs are from. The biographer is a spectator that’s been taken backstage.
- Learn How To Sell Your Talent
As quickly as you’ll decide to become a biographer, you’ll realize how difficult it is to cut it in this business. Contact publishing houses and don’t shy away from creating an account on a freelancing platform. Whatever you do, don’t expect authors and rock stars to come at your door.
The Bottom Line
Writing in general is a titanic effort. Writing about somebody else’s life is in a league of its own. It will probably take years until you’ll get a contract, but it’s always better later than never.
If you think you have what it takes, you’ll succeed.