Autobiography:
* Non-fiction: It's a factual account of the author's life, written by the author themselves.
* First-person: Always told from the author's perspective.
* Objective: Aims to present a true and accurate representation of the author's life experiences, though some level of personal interpretation is unavoidable.
Memoir:
* Non-fiction: Also based on the author's life, but focuses on a specific theme, period, or event.
* First-person: Usually told in the author's voice.
* Subjective: Emphasizes the author's emotional response and reflections on the events, often highlighting a personal journey or insight.
Fiction:
* Imaginative: Entirely invented, though it can draw inspiration from real events or people.
* Can be first-person or third-person: Perspective depends on the story's needs.
* Fictional characters, settings, and events: The author has complete creative freedom to shape the narrative.
Where the Lines Blur:
* "Memoiristic fiction" or "autofiction": This is a grey area where fiction writers use their own life experiences as inspiration, but embellish or change details to create a more engaging story. The boundaries between fact and fiction become intentionally fluid.
* Fictionalized accounts of real events: Some authors might take historical events or the lives of real people and weave them into a fictional story.
Key Considerations:
* Intent: The author's intention is crucial. Are they aiming to present a factual account, explore their personal experiences, or create a purely fictional narrative?
* Truthfulness: While autobiographies and memoirs aim for accuracy, they are still filtered through the author's perspective. Fiction, on the other hand, has no obligation to be truthful.
* Creative License: Authors have varying degrees of creative license in each genre. Autobiographies have the least, while fiction has the most.
In conclusion:
These genres are distinct, but their boundaries can be permeable. It's often a matter of degree and emphasis. The important thing is to be aware of the conventions of each genre and how they shape the author's approach to storytelling.