You can start your autobiography with information about your ancestors, especially if they shared similarities with you or had an influence on your life. Mention why they came to your country – were they persecuted and left their old country or were they seeking new opportunities – and how their actions affected your life, even though you weren’t born yet. Understanding your roots helps readers better understand you.
Mention a particular event or moment in your life that greatly affected your life. What caused you to lace up your shoes and play in the big game even though doctors told you not to? What convinced you to move to Hollywood to seek fame? What compelled you to not give up even though you were told your cancer had gotten worse? These events illustrate just who you are and can set the tone for the rest of your autobiography.
When you look back at your life, consider what sums up your life – what themes continued to pop up. Examples include hardship, love, good fortune, the importance of family, being in the right place at the right time, help from others and struggles with religion. Use these to start your autobiography. This sets a theme for your autobiography. Remember that your autobiography doesn’t have to cover every aspect of your life, but can focus on particular themes and events.
Consider where your life is as you write your autobiography and why you’re writing it. This might be a good spot to start your autobiography. If your autobiography focuses on your history with alcoholism and your current sobriety, start by mentioning you just celebrated your 10th anniversary of sobriety and what that means to you. This sets a backdrop for the rest of the story, as readers compare your present condition to previous circumstances.