Biographical Urge

[Pheziwig]

I have this urge to throw myself into writing a biography and experience what it takes to do it. I just have one problem. I have no subject, whatsoever, in mind. All advice and cheap shots are welcome.[-][/-]

 

[pontalba]

Try making it an autobio. Make an outline, highlight stand out aspects and start writing!
It's practice at the least.

 

[kelstan]

Justin Beiber

 

[SFG75]

I read your post a few days ago and have spent some time in solitary meditation, pondering intensely over this quandry of yours. I emerged with a peaceful solace and came to a conclusion that came to me like a wind whispering truth to a Llama. Nikki Minaj, you must write the next great American biography classic on Nikki Minaj.

 

[Peder]

They (the famous "they") say : "Write what you know!"

Definitely "You."

Start exactly as Pontalba says, and don't worry if you can't think of every detail. Start with the most memorable; they will be most interesting to the reader. The rest will come. Write as you speak, and think of it as telling a story to someone.

Best wishes :flowers:

 

[Pheziwig]

I am actually one of the "They" who say. At least, I think my dues are still paid up. I haven't gone to any meetings lately. I don't know what is more bizarre, Nikki Minaj or an autobiography: The Education of Pheziwig. I think something similar was once done. Perhaps I should shock some famous biographer and leap onto the biography scene with an unauthorized biography of him or her.

 

[Peder]

Have you considered an unauthorized biography of yourself?

 

[SFG75]

Have you considered an unauthorized biography of yourself?

I've tried that, all I got was:

"It was the caffeinated of times, it was the decaffeinated of times......."

Haven't been able to write $&^% since.

 

[sparkchaser]

I have this urge to throw myself into writing a biography and experience what it takes to do it. I just have one problem. I have no subject, whatsoever, in mind. All advice and cheap shots are welcome.[-][/-]

I think it's a good idea. Just don't write an autobiography -- nobody wants to read about you.

Write a biography about someone from your area that was somewhat famous/infamous/noteworthy. That way at least you can sell copies to local libraries, historical societies, and whatnot. I've picked up a few biographies of local people because, well, they were local personalities.

 

[sparkchaser]

Justin Beiber

I should ban you for that. :whistling:

 

[regdog]

I think a biography on the "Tank Man" from Tiananmen Square would be a great, especially since there is still so much conjecture about his true identity.

 

[sparkchaser]

I think a biography on the "Tank Man" from Tiananmen Square would be a great, especially since there is still so much conjecture about his true identity.

Sadly, any meaningful research would require a trip to China and either fluency in Mandarin or access to a good interpreter fully fluent in English and Mandarin.

 

[Pheziwig]

I think a biography on the "Tank Man" from Tiananmen Square would be a great, especially since there is still so much conjecture about his true identity.

I often wondered what happened to the local military units that would not advance on the kids in Tiananmen Square (They had to call in another division from the provinces). I consider them greater heroes than Tank Man.

 

[Pheziwig]

One of may favorite writers of non-fiction is Studs Terkel. I wonder if anyone is continuing his work, especially interviews with elderly people of interest before they--like Studs--are gone.

 

[Conscious Bob]

One of may favorite writers of non-fiction is Studs Terkel. I wonder if anyone is continuing his work, especially interviews with elderly people of interest before they--like Studs--are gone.

Old people are the perfect subjects for biography because they've lived a life, the supermarket bookshelves seemed packed with 'autobiographies' of youngsters.

 

[Peder]

Old people are the perfect subjects for biography because they've lived a life

What a difference that makes!