Childhood is a crucial aspect of the biographer’s art, but context, bias and interpretation can often hinder the writer. These interviews discuss ways of avoiding common problems.
What is the best way to start writing a family history? This discussion highlights working methods and practices, offering advice on drafting, sources and note-taking.
Three famous biographers, Ex-Speaker Betty Boothroyd, broadcaster Peter White and writer Martin Amis all discuss their experiences writing autobiographies.
When writing on a topic with little research, interviewing witnesses and relatives becomes paramount. Many pitfalls await interviewers, as well as the pleasure of getting it right.
To demonstrate interviewing technique and responses, this track makes use of an interview with William Taylor, born in 1919.
In the second part of his interview, William Taylor recalls the various changes in his home life, marriage, jobs and parenthood.