Friday Writing Essential—Six Word Memoirs—February 13th, 2009

Happy Friday the 13th!

Today I’d like to try something that I saw on a website from SMITH magazine. It’s called six-word memoirs. Supposedly, Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words.

His response: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

SMITH Magazine decided to take that idea and give it a slight twist: they asked their readers to submit a memoir using only six words. The response was enormous, and resulted in a book titled “Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure”.

The web site: http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/ is packed with information about the project and how it has been embraced by people in various forms. Submissions are being accepted for ongoing projects (listed below).

Six-Word Memoirs
Everyone has a story. Can you tell yours in six words? Submit yours to be considered for SMITH's next six-word memoir book.
Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak
What can you say about love and heartbreak in six words?
Six-Word Memoirs for Teens
Six-word memoirs especially for teens and young adults
Six Words on The Green Life
SMITH and TreeHugger challenge you to define your green life in just six words. Everyone has a green story. What's yours?
Six-Word Momoirs
What can you say about motherhood in just six words?
Six Words on The Food Life
A six-word challenge about your food life from SMITH and
CHOW.

There are images you can add to your web site like this:

Or maybe you'd like a button you can add to link to your memoir on the web site:

(You can even order a T-Shirt with a memoir from the book printed on it, or write your own)


So, for today’s writer’s challenge, I’d like everyone to write a six-word memoir and post it here. Then, if you like, take a look at the list of ongoing projects at the site, and submit it there. It will be posted on the site, and who knows? You may end up a published author in their next book!

As always, I look forward to your submissions.