How do people writing biographies recall their lives in such detail. I barely remember my childhood just bits and pieces here and there. But nothing close to writing a book.
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I recently wrote an autobiography (as yet unpublished), and I kind of wrote it in pieces. The more I thought about the events of my youth, the more I remembered, and the more I was able to fill in the gaps. The whole writing process took about a year, and that’s a lot of time to spend remembering your past. I imagine that if you made a concerted effort, you could remember a lot more than you’re giving yourself credit for right now.
My process involved carrying around a notebook everywhere I went, and when I was reminded of something, I’d write a quick note to myself so that when I sat down to actually write, I’d have a whole bunch of inspiration saved up. This worked pretty well.
Some people just have really good memories. I can tell you about multiple conversations I had with people in 3rd grade, ect.
Memories are not entirely accurate but are constantly reinterpreted by your brain. Biographers just interpret a little further.
There is however research involved. Be it witnesses or memorabilia.
I think they do a LOT of research – local history, family, occupations and relationships, state of the world etc.
Maybe that’s precisely why they want to write the biography – to get to understand what they don’t remember or didn’t know.
I don’t think that many would do what you suggest
I can’t explain how other people do it, but if I start writing about a memory, other details start coming back to me that I wouldn’t have ever thought of otherwise. You should try it.
I don’t know if this is an answer, but as someone who journals, it’s amazing how writing something down manages to unlock other memories.
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