1 year, 8 months ago
about How to Write a Professional Biography
what is good to put in the first paragraph of a biography
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M$1 Answer
Most authors of biographies start out by saying when the person was born and died. Um, if I picked up this book, I probably know these facts. I have seen this to many times.
A lot of authors will start out biographies by talking about the long road that was taken to get this book to print. I did not buy this book to hear your wining. I have seen this too many times.
Some authors will start out a biography by pointing out the fact that they are not regular writers, and should be forgiven if the following bores the reader. Don't start out asking for forgiveness as it makes me want to put the book down. I have seen this too many times.
Other authors will start out a biography by telling the reader who they are. I don't care who you are, I care about the biography that you wrote. I have seen this too many times.
Some crative authors will incorporate a popular quote from the person's life into the first paragraph, and expail what it meant in the life of the person being written about. If this is done well, it makes me want to read more.
I have seen authors start out a biography by telling a quick humerous anecdote about the person. If this can be done quickly, and give a strong representation of the person, it is a very good start.
Some smart authors of biographies will tell about the time in their life when they realized that the person the book is about made an impact on them. THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! As a person writing a book about someone, you should be able to pinpoint the moment in your life when that person, or their work, became a part of you.
A lot of authors will start out biographies by talking about the long road that was taken to get this book to print. I did not buy this book to hear your wining. I have seen this too many times.
Some authors will start out a biography by pointing out the fact that they are not regular writers, and should be forgiven if the following bores the reader. Don't start out asking for forgiveness as it makes me want to put the book down. I have seen this too many times.
Other authors will start out a biography by telling the reader who they are. I don't care who you are, I care about the biography that you wrote. I have seen this too many times.
Some crative authors will incorporate a popular quote from the person's life into the first paragraph, and expail what it meant in the life of the person being written about. If this is done well, it makes me want to read more.
I have seen authors start out a biography by telling a quick humerous anecdote about the person. If this can be done quickly, and give a strong representation of the person, it is a very good start.
Some smart authors of biographies will tell about the time in their life when they realized that the person the book is about made an impact on them. THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! As a person writing a book about someone, you should be able to pinpoint the moment in your life when that person, or their work, became a part of you.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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