Thursday, September 18, 2008

Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs

Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway responded:

For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.
That was the beginning of my favorite story I heard on NPR radio last February. The online magazine, Smith, had asked readers to write their life story in six words.

And oh I truly never knew how powerful six words could be.

I still make coffee for two. - Zak Nelson

After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.- Robin Templeton

Sperm too potent, now have triplets.- Renee Schunk

70 years, few tears, hairy ears.- Bill Querengesser

Never really finished anything, except cake.- Carletta Perkins

Revenge is living well, without you.- Joyce Carol Oates

Asked to quiet down, spoke louder.- Wendy Lee

Never loved. Always rejected. Good anyway. - Brenda

Watching quietly from every door frame.- Nicole Resseguie

Catholic school backfired. Sin is in!- Nikki Beland

Extremely responsible, secretly longed for spontaneity.- Sabra Jennings

Joined Army. Came out. Got booted.- Johan Baumeister

Almost a victim of my family- Chuck Sangster

Grumpy old soundman needs love, too.- Lennie Rosengard

Mom died, Dad screwed us over.- Lesley Kysely

Can you tell a whole life story in just SIX words? Oh, I beg to argue that you can say more in six words than a thesis. If your words re chosen carefully, an entire lifetime can be told.

What would you say? If you had to write your life memoir in just six words, what would you pen?

Tell me yours, I'll tell mine.

32 comments:

Paige said...

Wish I could do it over

Anonymous said...

oonce was lost - now am found.

~Mad(elyn) in Alabama
www.xanga.com/madewyn

Lo said...

Old soul trapped in blonde body.

The Kelso-Winter Family said...

Happy to be where I am.

3SonsAreMyLove said...

Girlhood. Womanhood. Wifehood. Motherhood. Changing experiences.

Mishel said...

I was lost, now I'm found!

Anonymous said...

Jesus loves me, this I know.

Anonymous said...

Finally able to survive without him.

Anonymous said...

no regrets, just live it up...dang that's so cheesy! but really. I can't regret anything because it's taught me something.

Adventure girl said...

Parents abandoned me, I am resilient!

Anonymous said...

don't condone divorce, but understand it.

Anonymous said...

Regrets, lies, deceit. God help me.

Anonymous said...

They are my everything and more.

Hope4Grace said...

Sucessful, blessed because they love me

Treasia Stepp said...

Married four, divorced three, Love one!!

That pretty well sums it up.

@meintweet said...

Country girl took my buddy away!

Cathy said...

Wow..thought this would be hard but I just started writing, so here are a few.

I tell them where to go.. - police dispatcher

Still love a few of them.

My son is my main man.

Boys are easier than girls. (5)

Lesa said...

Live, love, laugh, just being me.

Anonymous said...

GOD-Wife-Children-Grandchildren-My Life!

Marchelle said...

Two kids, my husband, perfect life.

Brandy said...

I'm very happy with my life!

Tracie said...

reality of life not as expected

Laura B. said...

Grace given, not deserved - Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Everyone thinks I'm happy; fooled them.

Anonymous said...

Love. Laugh. Lose. Cry. Live. Repeat.

Anonymous said...

wish i would have died instead

Chris said...

It killed me when he died.

My 16yo son was found dead in January of this year. I don't know how or even what day it was that he died. I will never be able to find out so I will never know. I have to learn how to accept it and live with it for the rest of my life. How does a parent do that?

Dreams of a Country Girl said...

chris...

you are the most amazing woman i have ever known. your strength is inspirational. i love you.

cg

Anonymous said...

want to do it all over

CreativeMish said...

I have been blessed with much!

Sandel said...

humor, children, family,quirkiness = delightful

feather k said...

love...tragedy...hope...grace...faith...family...growth