Loaded title understandably, but I am inquiring about the writing process in regards to a biopic about a relative (grandfather) who has a very unique story (he was of the first class of men drafted during the peacetime draft in 1940). I have my masters degree, have written extensive papers before but never a whole book. We possess all of his memoirs - letters, invites to parties celebrating his draft class (as I said, literally the first), his battalion movements tracing from Normandy to Berlin, pamphlets, photos, you name it. I have a concept as to how to approach it in my head, but figured I’d reach out to the pros for advice on your processes and how you might approach drafting a work like this. Any advice or help is appreciated.
The biggest suggestion: How do you feel it would be best portrayed? Do you want to tell a story that focuses on one point of his life or his whole life? Do you want it to be focused on him or focused on the events around him? Read other memoirs for ideas on how to write his story. Today, many memoirs from the WWII period are written by the children or grandchildren. Use those for inspiration on how to tell his story.
Gather external sources and make a timeline. Maybe even create a map of where your grandfather was. External sources can be anything from photos, footage, documentaries, books, memorial websites, and so forth. Gather everything you can that connect with your grandfather's life. Is your grandfather still alive? His spouse? His children? Any friends or their descendants? Reach out and see if there is anything more to learn. Make a timeline so you have a visual of when and where he was. It will make the writing much easier.
The final is how do you want to write it. Do you want to tell a story in first or third person with lots detail or tell it more like a biography with facts? You can go with either one. It is up to you on how to portray it.