Grondar

Heya everyone.

I have an assignment for a creative writing class where I have to write an autobiographical essay about a portion of my life.

I opted to write about my experiences with my neighbor, who was around 65+, focusing on our trips to the lake where we would go fishing.

I was thinking of writing the essay through the eyes of my neighbor about myself, but I am wondering if that would still be considered an autobiography, since it seems that my neighbor is actually writing the tale.

For instance.

Instead of writing, "I ran down to my neighbor's car with glee and excitement about the days fishing trip"

I would write:

"As I loaded the fishing rods and tackle box into the backseat of the car, I saw Jimmy emerge from the house with his backpack in hand a smile on his face."

In both cases I am writing about Jimmy (myself), but in the 2nd example I am writing about myself through the eyes of my neighbor.

By doing this, is it still an autobiography?

I am writing about myself, but I am writing about myself through the eyes of my neighbor and what I think he would see and think as a result of me being a part of his life.

I honestly think this would be more interesting and fun to write than me just writing about myself in the first person, but I won't do it if it isn't considered an autobiographical work, because that is what the assignment is.

What are your thoughts on this?

The dictionary defines an autobiography as, "The biography of a person written by that person."

Well, I am writing about myself but I am writing it through the perspective of my neighbor.

Would that still count as being an autobiography, or would it just confuse the hell out of the reader?

Let me give you my opening paragraph to further show what I mean:

I am Jimmy. As you can see the essay is written through the eyes of my neighbor, who was a grown man at the time (and still is).

I am thinking that by using "I" even though "I" is my neighbor, I may be confusing the hell out of the reader, but I don't think perspective matters to the success of the story in this case.

What does matter is that I am assigned to write a autobiography, and I am not sure if what I am thinking of doing is pushing it to much, or if it still would be considered an autobiography, even though the perspective is altered.

What are your thoughts?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. I figured this would be more interesting and fun to write, but if it the end result isn't an autobiographical piece, I don't think the professor will accept it.

Thanks much.

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"Yes, I rather like this God fellow. He's very theatrical, you know, a pestilence here, a plague there. Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that." -Stewie