Legend has it that the famous writer Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in six words. He wrote: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” The power of this story lies in the questions and possible meanings that the words could have. Why are the shoes being sold? What happened to the baby? Why haven’t the shoes been worn?
Years later, in 2006, a magazine publisher revised the challenge for his readers. He asked them to write about their lives in six words. The readers responded, and since then he has published more than a million of their stories.
What about you? What’s your story? I invite you to create your own six-word memoir. Write about your life, what you are doing, thinking, or dreaming. You can use sentences. Or not. Use punctuation to help guide readers to your message.
But remember, only six words. Feel free to share them using the Comments tab.
I’ll start with a couple:
Eat, write, exercise, sleep, dream. Repeat.
I am not what I do.
I’m Cheerios, cheese, and chewing gum.
Your turn…
turtle, cat, dog, friends, games, repeat
Nintendo Switch, Video Games, Friends, Repeat.
I loved the every bit of the book.
Be:
Kind
Loving
Curious
Friendly
Responsible
Especially kind. Thank you, I’ll try.
You are all these things, Emma.
Try to have the best life.
Good reminder.
Yes, Noah! Do you know the Shakira song: Try everything!
kind, friendly, drawing lover, outside girl
Good intro to who you are.
I liked “drawing lover”.
You are these and so much more!
Dream big, laugh hard, have fun.
YES!
I like “laugh hard”.
You rock.
Stay happy, stay positive, be kind.
It’s hard now, but I’ll try.
Thanks for the pleasant push, Lily!
. . . . or maybe “I’m happy, I’m positive, I’m kind”.
Live, Love, Laugh, BUT SMILE MOST.
Like your use of CAPS!
You love your story, Emma.
Change makes me stronger and better!
True that!
Did you mean, tru’ dat? (Ha!)
Cheeseburgers, Fries, Milkshake, Memes, Friends.
pie, cake, cookies, fortnite, repeat.
BMX, dirt bike, gamer, student, racer.
This provides a good snapshot of you.
You are this and so much more, Daysin.
Calm, animals, kindness, curiosity, history, family
We have a lot in common.
Tell me more about your love of history, Holly. Stay curious.
I hate masks and covid 19
Me too!
You tell it like it is, Kaylie. I like that about you.
school is fun. have fun. learn
When I can’t, I try harder.
That’s a good reminder. I will.
Yes!
Long life, long years, happy days.
That’s what I’m hoping for.
You nailed it, Brennan.
A small World with Big Hearts.
Yes, that’s what we need. Esp. NOW!
These six words are so poetic and meaningful, William.
live, love, laugh
like never before
I agree!
It is time to lll more than ever.
I love every second of it!
School? Reading? Writing?
Life?
love life it’s short have fun
Live life happily and in peace
The girl opened it very slowly…
Adventure, curiosity, passion- this is me!
live in happiness and in peace
Beautiful meadow, bees, flowers, crisp air.
Beautiful meadow, bees, flowers, crisp air
Love life it’s all you got
Live, love life before it ends.
this is the best there is
I can “read” this many different ways.
In the 1960’s Peggy Lee had a hit, “Is that all there is?”
Perhaps my six-worder might be, “What, is that all there is?
The spider climbed up the tree.
Wake,exercise,nap,eat,sleep,repeat.
Wings of fire Clay, Sunny, Starflight.
clay, sunny, starflight, sunamie, aninome, turtle
Wake,eat,school,eat,game,sleep.
karate, dance, presents, autistic sister, funny
Play, get muddy, take a shower.
I sit, game, sleep, repeat.
Science, video games, drawing, TV, sleep.
Science, video games, drawing, TV, sleep.
Online school is hard. EEK!
Every birthday we have pancakes, waffles.
Healthy food leads to healthy bodies.
Faster, higher gear, pedal fast- CRASH!
School, chores, bored, play, fun, repeat.
Horses are my love, lief, friends.
Five smelly boys all around me.
Big man, small dreams, brothers help.
Near death at birth, loving life!!!
Wake up, eat, school, game, repeat.
I like my friends at school.
Be your self all the time
Never let anyone steal your joy
Umm, I am bad at poems
Always applying my maximal effort.
-Liam
I’m not weird, just unique, OK!
Loving, charming, candy-coated, lively, sunny, clever
When you get lemons make lemonade.
Colors swirled, blended, life’s beautiful canvas.
Brown eyes, Brown hair, Brown skin.
Good one!
I’ve always loved a Brown Eyed Girl.
Family forever and always. Always loved
Equality matters, so does being unique.
Moved countless times- many schools- tough
Born an athlete always an athlete
Eat, write, exercise, sleep, dream. Repeat.
I am not what I do.
Love life: it’s all you got.
Is that another way of saying, “I’ve resigned myself to mediocricy” ?