Ernest Hemingway was challenged (likely a bar bet) to write a short story in exactly 6 words. He came up with this:
For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.
How brilliant is this man?!?!
Apparently, Hemingway's "6-word story" inspired the editors of Smith Magazine to compile the 6-word memoirs of many writing talents.
A story was aired about this memoir project on National Public Radio. The compiled 6-word memoirs can be found in the new book entitled: Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs By Famous and Obscure Writers. They are really interesting to read!
Since I love a challenge, particularly a writing challenge... I HAD to come up with my own 6-word memoir. The key is, you're not supposed to over-think it... it loses some sincerity. But, as usual, I had to go through several drafts...
So, what could I write that would summarize who I am in this world... the totality of my short, but full life? I came up with a few renditions:
First came my smart-ass responses:
Without humor, it all basically blows.
What the F* is this sh*?
Seriously, don't know what I'm doing.
Then I go for the literal, especially after these past 3 days:
I'm knee deep in pooh, literally.
Then the loopy:
I don't send bad food back.
One big experiment on sleep deprivation.
She didn't drink the Kool Aid.
Then my brooding self surfaced:
Dreaming the dreams, but never delivering.
Life devoted to correcting past mistakes.
Heart always there, soul sometimes lost.
Then it started to get more 'genuine' to me:
Different than I imagined, but better.
Deserving of nothing, grateful for all.
And, after much silly brainstorming , I finally decided that this one probably says it all. My life... my memoir... in a 6 word nutshell.
Plan B was better than expected.
Want to take a stab at it too?
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13 comments:
This brilliant! Bad thing is I could pound out a page...but it would take some thought to write 6 words! How sad is that.
Here is the best I can do this morning.
Sold As Is, Absolutely No Return.
I just don't know anything anymore.
I don't send bad food back speaks volumes.
I also don't send bad food back. But then, that's not six words.
If I was describing ME, not my life as a whole, I WOULD absolutely use "I don't send bad food back" because that just encapsulates "me."
In fact, my husband will describe me to people who haven't met me yet as: "Kind, sometimes to a fault; totally clueless; and the type of person that will eat the wrong order instead of sending it back to the kitchen." :)
I've been thinking about this for a while, and haven't quite succeeded. I like this, but think it describes most moms:
I was one thing, now another.
I wrote this description of my husband the other day:
Very smart. Bad at loading dishwasher.
....been thinking about your post all day!
I got another one....
Two parts vodka, one part lime.
I love your final one, but I thought the sleep deprivation one was also fitting!
Creativity encouraged, improvisation is the key.
Love the last one! Great post.
I like Plan B.
I can name that tune in 5 -
"Is it Happy Hour yet?"
Love it!
Your first one is definitely where my mind would go first as well.
I like this word "Deserving of nothing, grateful for all."
These words really motivated, great posts!
Absolutely brilliantly inspiring. Learning is painful but so necesssary.
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