The Diff: Memoir, Autobiography, Biography

Welcome to the very first “What’s the Diff?” challenge.

Each entry in this series breaks down words, phrases, and book-world ephemera that often get mixed up. This week I’ll focus on the diff between memoir, autobiography, and biography.

But here’s the twist: there are two posts below. One was written by me. The other by AI. Your challenge is to spot the diff—not only in the subject (memoir vs autobiography vs biography) but also in the writing itself.

Can you tell which one is human and which is machine?

Post A

For your consideration: three examples of the different genres.

Example 1

As with all human lives, many themes harden the concrete of the foundation. In my case, the foundation of the foundation (is that a thing?) are the drums.

Example 2

His mother was wise and sought council of friends, experts, books—anything she could get her hands on—to help him find himself, help him relax. Her co-worker at Bridges, Soot Rajkanvani, suggested the drums.

Example 3

I was born in a small town and saved by sports, Jesus, music, and amazing friends.

Can you spot the distinction? Here’s the diff in plain English.

A memoir is usually comprised of biographical stories around a common theme where the emotions and the senses play a greater role. A memoir I am currently outlining focuses on how playing the drums set me on a path, and I plan to take the reader on the road with me as I learn to play, gig with bands, and meet the people that make my life. Within that theme, I can talk about anything, but the stories should circle back to the drums. Of course, these books tend to have a narrower focus, so they naturally have a narrower audience.

An autobiography is a wider account of your own life. It tends to run the gamut from birth to death and follows a number of themes. In this case, the book would touch on drums as an influence but would also include the confluence of many other factors (small town, sports, Jesus, music, and amazing women). While this may have a wider appeal because of the subjects and possible themes, unless you’re famous or have done something that people find fascinating, this book will likely be a legacy project that the family will gain the most value from.

Finally, a biography is, simply, an account of someone’s life written by someone else. My favourites in this genre tend to focus on the stories that made the life, drawing on themes that can be pulled together to create a whole. The unauthorized ones are the most fun because you get more juicy bits, but those can also get caught up in litigation and suffer from a lack of credibility because there is no endorsement from the subject.

Does that clear it up? Which one do you see yourself writing?

Post B

If you’ve ever thought about writing your life story—or maybe telling the story of someone you admire—you’ve probably wondered: What’s the difference between a memoir, an autobiography, and a biography? They all sound a little alike, but they aren’t interchangeable. Here’s the diff:

Memoir: The Window, Not the Whole House

A memoir is a slice of life. Think of it as opening one or two windows into your past, not every single door. A memoir usually focuses on certain themes, times, or turning points—your years at sea, your journey through illness, or the decades you spent building a business. It doesn’t have to cover everything you’ve ever done, just the part that matters most to the story you want to tell.

Autobiography: The Full Timeline

An autobiography aims to tell your entire story, from your earliest memories to where you are now. It’s usually written in chronological order, with an eye toward “how I became who I am.” If memoirs are windows, autobiographies are blueprints: a complete record of your life. They often appeal to readers who want a thorough picture of the person, not just a chapter or two.

Biography: Someone Else Telling the Tale

A biography is your story told by another writer. It still follows the arc of your life, but the perspective is a little different—filtered through research, interviews, and the writer’s lens. Sometimes biographies are flattering; sometimes they’re critical; often they aim to be fair. Either way, the author is the one holding the pen.

Why the Diff Matters

If you’re planning to write, knowing the difference helps you decide what kind of story you want to tell. Do you want to capture a defining journey (memoir), document your entire life (autobiography), or trust someone else to put your story on the page (biography)?

Each form has value. The key is choosing the one that matches your purpose—and your audience.

So, if you’re sketching out your own story this week, ask yourself: Am I writing a window, a blueprint, or a portrait?

That little distinction can help your words fall into place.

Can you spot the Diff?

Which post is human and which is machine?

Enjoy the day, buddy.

P.S.

One of the best ways to understand how to write a memoir is to read them. In that light, I suggest Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. You get a 2-for-1 because it’s a memoir and it talks about his writing method.