Say it all in Six Words!

Mark K March 21st, 2008

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Legend has it that Hemingway won a bet with some fellow writers by writing this six-word masterpiece. The words that are omitted tell as much as the words which we read - our imaginations are left to finish the story.

There is a new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning, which is a collection of tiny six-word memoirs, many of which came from on online contest from SMITH magazine. Some of my personal favorites:

  • “Fix a toilet, get paid crap” (written by a plumber)
  • “Woman Seeks Men - High Pain Threshold” (a dominatrix)
  • “Brought it to a boil, often” (Celebrity chef Mario Batali)
  • “Yes, you can edit this biography” (Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia)
  • “God called; Mother listened; I responded” (a Canadian minister, imagining what Jesus might write)
  • “Birth, childhood, adolescence, adolescence, adolescence…” (someone suffering from arrested development?)
  • “Well, I thought it was funny.” (Stephen Colbert)

In the spirit of Pause for Purpose, I offer my own six word memoir:

  • “Not known for speed - What race?”

Let’s hear yours.

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8 Responses to “Say it all in Six Words!”

  1. # Talia Krahlingon 24 Mar 2008 at 9:43 pm

    metaphores are confusing, where’s the point?

  2. # Mary Reynolds Thompsonon 25 Mar 2008 at 9:37 am

    Ok, here’s my six word memoir:
    Drank. Stopped. Then learned to live.

  3. # Mary Reynolds Thompsonon 25 Mar 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Had to add a few more. This six word memoir thing is fun. Sure beats writing an 85,000 word book!

    Happily married. Third time a charm.

    Knocked down. Stood Up. Knocked down.

    Out of the office, back never.

  4. # Piso Mojadoon 25 Mar 2008 at 5:36 pm

    Left smalltown, saw brightlights. Still blinking.

  5. # Jacquelynon 26 Mar 2008 at 6:36 pm

    Created story on page and stage.
    Finally recognized myself in the mirror.
    Entered stage. Left no drama home.
    Living the story. Not the ending.

  6. # Sandor Torokon 02 Apr 2008 at 9:09 am

    As i promised you…
    Like i said, i had a couple but i suppose i should start with

    I can’t do it in six!

    I am Sandor, son of Zoltan

    Embracing the darkness, giving it love

    Life is a metaphor for infinity

    Immortalize your words through your actions

  7. # Eirene Kingon 15 Apr 2008 at 8:36 am

    Here is my six for now…maybe more later

    Chris Grays mother. Proud of that.

  8. # Martha Craigon 06 May 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Mark,

    My sister Sharon Craig-Insalata told me about your lovely blog. I’m enjoying it. Here’s my six-word life’s summary.

    Closet romantic, waiting for a knock.

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