I am in the process of writing a book (or two). I have completed about 40 chapters. I am from a scientific background and am looking for some help in classifying what I am doing. Technically I suppose they could be called Memoirs, but that (to me) seems to have a boring conotation to it. Other possibilities would be Non Fiction True Life.
The stories are anecdotes from my 21 years as a practicing Country Veterinrian in Southern Ontario. Any one of these 3 stories in my archive would give you an idea of what they are about: 'Just When You Think You've Seen it All', 'Close Encounter', or 'Bruce'.
Any advice on how to classify them would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian.

Everyone shoud read "Just When You Think You've Seen It All". It's really good! And educational!

<Added>

I'm Brian's PR guy

Loved it - a bit like 'All Creatures Great and Small'. This is Autobiographical - since it covers your reminiscences and remembrences of your life as a vet. If however it isn't really what actually happened it's something else, called 'fiction'.

CB Barrie

Sounds interesting - my first thought was "biography" - that's not dull or offputting as it could be anyone from David Niven to the guy who wrote "All creatures great and small" - and I'm sure you know what happened with them.. Best of luck, Mags.

Autobiography/biography/biographical fiction all seem to be coming under the heading of 'Life Writing' these days. All being narratives based on a real life, but handled in different ways, I suppose.

There are some good MA courses in Life Writing now; it's become very respectable. And after James Herriot, there's that Yorkshire school inspector, can't remember his name, who's done very well with his. I don't suppose every word is true, or at least, not a checkable fact, there, any more than it is in Herriot.

Emma

I think the Yorkshire school inspector is Gervase Phinn (spelling?). He's on the radio a lot.

Joe

I read recently a mention referring to 'his autobiography' written when the 'Celebrity' was 13! Boy! Some children do have exciting lives mowadays!

I bet it included experience of all life's traumas, experiences and emotions.

Len