Biography Editing

A biography is defined as a written account of a series of written events in the life of a person and it’s a bit like playing detective. Readers always want to know more about people and biographies are a wonderful way to obtain this knowledge. From the writing point of view, it all sounds relatively simple; do the research, write it up and presto — a biography! But capturing those events and the true spirit and character of an individual’s life and times can be a daunting challenge for even the most experienced or writers, which is why biography editing is a particular strength of WordsRU’s team of professional editors. 

 

WordsRU - biography editing

 

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness."
— Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997
Renowned poet, world traveler, spiritual seeker, founding member of a major literary movement, champion of human and civil rights, photographer and songwriter, political gadfly, teacher and co-founder of a poetics school.

 

 

 

A good place to start is to decide on the purpose of the work — whether it serves a historical purpose, or is it designed to capitalize on somebody’s notoriety or celebrity; perhaps the motivation and psychological approach that underpinned the subject’s life. The next thing to do is determine the theme for your biography; whether it will be confined to one section of the person’s life or their complete life story.  Having decided on these two key elements, the next step is research and research and yet more research.  To write a biography you must know the subject as well as, perhaps better, than you know yourself. Whether you use all or only some of the material that you obtain will be determined by your theme, but everything you research will inform your knowledge of the subject and will permeate all that you write about that person.  And all this must happen before you write a single word. . .  

 

Few biographers can write such an emotive line as that written by Allen Ginsberg at the top of this small article but you can be sure that biography editing with WordsRU’s online editors will get your manuscript opening with as much impact as possible, and following through with a top quality presentation. They will strengthen and rework your sentences to benefit the flow and readability of your work. Our biography editing includes a grammar check and ensures your work is free from spelling and typographical errors. Close attention is given to punctuation, that all-important aspect of rhythm and readability in writing, and last but by no means least, our manuscript editors will review the word choices, syntax and paragraph structure in your biography.  

 

During the course of WordsRU’s biography editing the overall balance, structure, chronology and sequence of events are development of your manuscript are considered and your editor will make suggestions or comment about these aspects. It is always the intention of our professional editors to enhance your words, to preserve your voice and to unify that which may be in conflict — unresolved issues, extraneous characters, event, inconsistencies and lapses in continuity — to ensure your biographical manuscript is given the best possible presentation. 

 

The writing of an effective biography embraces a number of elements but here are a few tips from WordsRU’s biography editors:

  • Do not necessarily begin at the beginning — chronology does not need to dictate the structure of your biography. Be innovative and start at a point that creates an impact; a defining event is a good choice or a bold attention-getting statement such as: "Good evening. I’m Chevy Chase — and you’re not." (Emmy Award-winning American Comedian Chevy Chase).

  • End the biography with a revelation, another defining moment or even a retelling of the original defining moment but offer your readers a sense of full circle and closure.

  • Omit events (and people too) when they add nothing to your biographical theme.

  • Do not invent dialogue – whenever possible, use excerpts and actual dialogue from archives, personal letters, historical records and the like.

  • Always describe the events that take place from the point of view of your protagonist.

 

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