Writing six-word memoirs is one of my favorite ways to write short.
SMITH Magazine first made six-word memoirs famous by sponsoring a contest.
Now, they have a website dedicated to this form of micro-memoir, SixWordMemoirs.com, and have published at least seventeen books filled with great stories of only six words.
You can contribute your own six-word memoir on the website or submit an entry to their monthly, topic-driven contest.
Legend has it that the idea for six-word memoirs came from a literary superstar. Supposedly, someone asked Ernest Hemingway how many words it would take him to write his life story. In typical machismo fashion, Hemingway said he could do it in six words: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Who knows if that’s true or not, but it makes for a good story.
Six-word memoirs are a collaboration between the writer and the reader. The writer chooses the words, and the reader supplies his/her own meaning.
Here are a few sample six-word memoirs from the first book: Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Famous & Obscure Writers. Some are funny, some heartbreaking, some clever, but all are poignant. Here are a few samples:
Dam smart—never lerned to spel.
Seventy years, few tears, hairy ears.
Followed rules, not dreams. Never again.
Afraid of everything, did it anyway.
I wrote it all down somewhere.
Cursed with cancer; blessed with friends.
Wasn’t born a redhead. Fixed that.
I still make coffee for two.
Every week, I want you to write a six-word memoir. It can be on any topic. It does not have to follow the topic of the week.
Once you’ve written your six-word memoir for the week, post it here for all of us to enjoy.
Mountains beckon. i find peace,inspiration.
Six Word Stories: Dar Lamb
Rain falls
Sun shines
Flowers bloom.
In the garden
Time stands still.
Come with me
And gather stars.
Wanting, worrying, wondering,
What went wrong.
Never, ever again,
Never, never, never.
Love conquers all
So they say.
Last of nine. Nature versus Nurture.
Take great chances within your alliance.
If real alliance, it’s not chancy.
I agree. The worst that can happen is you fail and if you do fail then you fail together and that’s okay because you have each other.
Getting old is not for Sissies
Five Year Journal, year one completed
Congratulations! I am two months in on my Five Year Journal.
Edited past stories, mind’s totally drained
Monnahan sisters gather one more time.
Gray skies, breeze blowing, impending rain.
Forgive. Don’t live in the past.
Live and learn. Wisdom is earned.
Knowledge is power. Ignorance isn’t bliss.
Who said life would be easy?
Kill those who hate with kindness
The choices we make define us.
So true.
Pencils sharpened, paper ready, already stuck
So many stories, so little time
I like this one.
Never give up on facing adversity.
My credo
Yep.
Our choices define us. Be wise.
They certainly do.
Life is good. The alternative isn’t.
Yes, indeed.
Bad decisions became really good stories
Thanx for the reminder why I’m here.
Knocked down-Not out-I rise.
Rain, rain
I’m glad
You’re here
Big black cat
Always sweet nature
Seeing a rainbow
lightens up sky
Election’s Over, Who Won, What’s Next?
Is my heart ready for dog?
The battle of weeds. Who wins?
Leaving home
August morning
Destination unknown
Animal print pajamas provide camouflage anonymity.
That’s a mouthful.
No change of seasons in Florida
Read what I could. Bed time.
I wish that word read like what I pronounced at first. Read, Red.
Looked at 184. couldn’t read all.
Or for those of you who do not believe in contractions…
I DO NOT GET LADY GAGA
lol
I JUST DON’T GET LADY GAGA
A dreaded topic yielded good stories.
Good one to remember, Linda!
Hand brace necessary after cleaning spiel
My Nightmare Dentist Visit Age Six
Bean bugs. AKA Asian Lady Beatles
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Fall. Time to order Fruit Cake.
How ’bout yesterday was Pride parade?
David, how about, Fall, a time for Fruit Cakes
Time for the bean bug invasion.
Ride that Segway, but be careful.
Fall on your ass…keep smiling.
Survived a hurricane; lived to tell.
Helene, Milton. Don’t need no mo.
“His eye is on the sparrow”
Spinning wind turbines above ripening corn.
Montreal reddening maple leaves prelude autumn.
Canadien hockey really sez it’s fall.
♡You’ re So Right John!♡
Silence is my treasured solace place.
Open mouth, so much to tell
Jake won’t walk in the rain.
Then fly Jake out to Arizona.
Jake won’t walk in the heat.
De-cluttering gives you so much satisfaction
cleansing and refreshing like getting a haircut
I wouldn’t know about a haircut.
7 words
good one, Judy! I wholeheartedly agree.
Many times I searched for answers.
More than that, I had no clue.
Interesting comment.
Your 6-word memoir is driving me nuts.
First, after reading it I recalled a similar song lyric but can’t remember what song. I’ll probably think of it at 3 am.
Second, your statement is a true 6-word memoir, and a great one, in that it tells a story.
Third, that line would make a great opening sentence for a story. Many times I searched for answers. Here is a story of one journey…
I should know that song, too. Just can’t put my finger on it right now.
Thanks for your response, Dave. So pleased it resonates with you. I do not recall the song to which you refer. Surprisingly, this is a memoire that just popped up in my brain one morning. The toss up was between “The times”, or “Many times”. I thought the latter was more impactful.