Difference between a memoir and biography

Identifying the differences in memoir vs biography can feel nuanced. To be clear, it is. Both genres are about an individual’s life, but the focus you take depends on which you choose to write: biography vs memoir. 

Neither is better or worse than the other.

Similarities between biography and autobiography

What matters is determining what you want to accomplish with your manuscript. Memoir focuses on the individual from a specific angle, while biography spends time recounting the individual’s life in a different way.

Your writing perspective plays a crucial role in:

• The stories you include
• Tone you write in
• Audience you connect with

In this article, I discuss memoir vs biography, the key differences, and how to determine which one you should write.

Let’s start with a definition of biography vs memoir. 

How is a memoir different from a biography?

A memo