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Six-Word Memoirs
Not Quite What I Was Planning, Revised and Expanded Deluxe Edition: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
Deceptively simple and surprisingly addictive, Not Quite What I Was Planning is a thousand glimpses of humanity—six words at a time. When Ernest Hemingway famously wrote, "For baby shoes, never worn," he proved that an entire story can be told using a half-dozen words. When the online storytelling magazine SMITH asked readers to submit six-word memoirs, they proved a whole, real life can be told this way, too. The results are fascinating, hilarious, shocking, and moving. From small sagas of bittersweet romance ("Found true love, married someone else") to proud achievements and stinging regrets ("After Harvard, had baby with crackhead"), these terse true tales relate the diversity of human experience in tasty bite-size pieces. The original edition of Not Quite What I Was Planning spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and thanks to massive media attention—from NPR to the The New Yorker —the six-word memoir concept spread to classrooms, dinner tables, churches, synagogues, and tens of thousands of blogs. This deluxe edition has been revised and expanded to include more than sixty never-before-seen memoirs. From authors Elizabeth Gilbert, Richard Ford, and Joyce Carol Oates to celebrities Stephen Colbert, Mario Batali, and Joan Rivers to ordinary folks around the world, everyone has a six-word story to tell.
243 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2008
92 people are currently reading
3926 people want to read
About the author
Larry Smith
141 books61 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Larry Smith is the founder of The Six-Word Memoir® Project, a bestselling series of nine books, board game, live event program, and a global phenomenon found in classrooms, conferences, and corporate settings alike.
Larry speaks on the power of personal storytelling across the world. He has been invited to work with teams at Twitter, Levi’s, JPMorgan Chase, Snapchat, Dell, Yelp, Shutterfly, ESPN and Google; nonprofits including the Zen Hospice Project and Dress For Success, as well as foundations, philanthropies, and schools. He’s a frequent speaker at conferences such as TEDx, PopTech, Summit Series (called “Davos for the Millennials”), the AARP 50+ Convention. He teaches the class, “What’s Your Story? How to Deliver an Authentic Elevator Pitch” in private sessions and on-site at companies.
Prior to founding the Six-Word Memoir project, Larry had a robust career in journalism. He was articles editor of Men’s Journal, executive editor of Yahoo! Internet Life, senior editor at ESPN The Magazine, a founding editor of P.O.V. and editor-in-chief of its sister publication, EGG. While living in San Francisco, he was managing editor of the wire/syndication service AlterNet and an editor at Dave Eggers' Might Magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, ESPN Magazine, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Salon, Slate, Buzzfeed, and has contributed essays to many anthologies, including Modern Love: 50 True and Extraordinary Tales of Desire, Deceit, and Devotion and The End of the Golden Gate: Writers on Loving and (Sometimes) Leaving San Francisco.
He lives in Berkeley, CA, with his wife, the writer Piper Kerman, and their son.
Larry Smith is the founder of The Six-Word Memoir® Project, a bestselling series of nine books, board game, live event program, and a global phenomenon found in classrooms, conferences, and corporate settings alike.
Larry speaks on the power of personal storytelling across the world. He has been invited to work with teams at Twitter, Levi’s, JPMorgan Chase, Snapchat, Dell, Yelp, Shutterfly, ESPN and Google; nonprofits including the Zen Hospice Project and Dress For Success, as well as foundations, philanthropies, and schools. He’s a frequent speaker at conferences such as TEDx, PopTech, Summit Series (called “Davos for the Millennials”), the AARP 50+ Convention. He teaches the class, “What’s Your Story? How to Deliver an Authentic Elevator Pitch” in private sessions and on-site at companies.
Prior to founding the Six-Word Memoir project, Larry had a robust career in journalism. He was articles editor of Men’s Journal, executive editor of Yahoo! Internet Life, senior editor at ESPN The Magazine, a founding editor of P.O.V. and editor-in-chief of its sister publication, EGG. While living in San Francisco, he was managing editor of the wire/syndication service AlterNet and an editor at Dave Eggers' Might Magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, ESPN Magazine, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Salon, Slate, Buzzfeed, and has contributed essays to many anthologies, including Modern Love: 50 True and Extraordinary Tales of Desire, Deceit, and Devotion and The End of the Golden Gate: Writers on Loving and (Sometimes) Leaving San Francisco.
He lives in Berkeley, CA, with his wife, the writer Piper Kerman, and their son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 482 reviews
May 4, 2015
Rating: 3.75* of five
My Review: Deceptively simple and surprisingly addictive, Not Quite What I Was Planning is a thousand glimpses of humanity—six words at a time.
When Ernest Hemingway famously wrote, "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn," he proved that an entire story can be told using a half-dozen words. When the online storytelling magazine SMITH asked readers to submit six-word memoirs, they proved a whole, real life can be told this way, too. The results are fascinating, hilarious, shocking, and moving.
From small sagas of bittersweet romance ("Found true love, married someone else") to proud achievements and stinging regrets ("After Harvard, had baby with crackhead"), these terse true tales relate the diversity of human experience in tasty bite-size pieces.
The original edition of Not Quite What I Was Planning spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and thanks to massive media attention—from NPR to the The New Yorker—the six-word memoir concept spread to classrooms, dinner tables, churches, synagogues, and tens of thousands of blogs. This deluxe edition has been revised and expanded to include more than sixty never-before-seen memoirs.
From authors Elizabeth Gilbert, Richard Ford, and Joyce Carol Oates to celebrities Stephen Colbert, Mario Batali, and Joan Rivers to ordinary folks around the world, everyone has a six-word story to tell.
My Review: I think this is the perfect book for, uhmmmm, browsing while you're stuck in Uncle John's sacred space. Sometimes funny, a few placed perfectly to cause loss of consciousness every few pages.
A must-acquire for those facing airplane travel, and an essential distraction source for the "death meetings."
My Review: Deceptively simple and surprisingly addictive, Not Quite What I Was Planning is a thousand glimpses of humanity—six words at a time.
When Ernest Hemingway famously wrote, "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn," he proved that an entire story can be told using a half-dozen words. When the online storytelling magazine SMITH asked readers to submit six-word memoirs, they proved a whole, real life can be told this way, too. The results are fascinating, hilarious, shocking, and moving.
From small sagas of bittersweet romance ("Found true love, married someone else") to proud achievements and stinging regrets ("After Harvard, had baby with crackhead"), these terse true tales relate the diversity of human experience in tasty bite-size pieces.
The original edition of Not Quite What I Was Planning spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and thanks to massive media attention—from NPR to the The New Yorker—the six-word memoir concept spread to classrooms, dinner tables, churches, synagogues, and tens of thousands of blogs. This deluxe edition has been revised and expanded to include more than sixty never-before-seen memoirs.
From authors Elizabeth Gilbert, Richard Ford, and Joyce Carol Oates to celebrities Stephen Colbert, Mario Batali, and Joan Rivers to ordinary folks around the world, everyone has a six-word story to tell.
My Review: I think this is the perfect book for, uhmmmm, browsing while you're stuck in Uncle John's sacred space. Sometimes funny, a few placed perfectly to cause loss of consciousness every few pages.
A must-acquire for those facing airplane travel, and an essential distraction source for the "death meetings."
February 8, 2021
Warning: This is not a book.
Disclaimer: Who cares?
The 6-word experiment produced some interesting results. See below:
Q:
Danced in Fields of Infinite Possibilities.
...
Boy, if I had a hammer.
...
After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.
...
Born in the desert, still thirsty.
...
No future, no past. Not lost.
...
Fourteen years old, story still untold.
...
One long train ride to darkness.
...
Stranded by ten-thousand-mile crush.
...
Oldest of five. Four degrees. Broke.
...
Made a mess. Cleaned it up.
...
My family is overflowing with therapists.
...
Tow truck drivers are my psychiatrists.
...
You are all in my imagination.
...
Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep.
...
I thought I was someone else.
...
Followed rules, not dreams. Never again.
...
Anything’s possible with an extension cord.
...
Oklahoma girl meets world. Regrets it.
...
Near death experience sare my forte.
...
She walked barefoot in wet cement.
...
Enjoying my fuck ups too much.
...
Still lost on road less traveled.
...
Glass half full; pockets half empty.
...
We undercover agents need mental toughness.
...
Running away: best decision I made.
...
After eighteen years, sold my book.
...
Some collect coins, I collect diplomas.
...
I fell far from the tree.
...
I think, therefore I am bald.
...
Should not have eaten those mushrooms.
...
Always working on the next chapter.
...
Yes, you can edit this biography.
...
Three marriages. Thirteen novels. Sleep’s overrated.
...
I’d rather be watching a movie.
...
Never could resist overachieving.
...
Wanted to live forever, died trying.
...
A new memoir every five years.
...
If there’s more, I want it.
...
It’s like forever, only much shorter.
...
God, grant me patience. Right now.
...
Topless dancer. Circus clown. Spy. Writer.
...
Often alone,
office drone,
feisty crone.
...
Not quite what I was planning…
...
I inhale battles.
I exhale victories.
...
Strange like cat.
Smart like rat.
...
My family did notkill me.
...
Things happen because I see holes.
...
The freaks, they always find me.
...
Got a pony, broke my arm.
...
She read too much…
into everything.
...
Don’t marry a lawyer, be one.
(c)
Disclaimer: Who cares?
The 6-word experiment produced some interesting results. See below:
Q:
Danced in Fields of Infinite Possibilities.
...
Boy, if I had a hammer.
...
After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.
...
Born in the desert, still thirsty.
...
No future, no past. Not lost.
...
Fourteen years old, story still untold.
...
One long train ride to darkness.
...
Stranded by ten-thousand-mile crush.
...
Oldest of five. Four degrees. Broke.
...
Made a mess. Cleaned it up.
...
My family is overflowing with therapists.
...
Tow truck drivers are my psychiatrists.
...
You are all in my imagination.
...
Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep.
...
I thought I was someone else.
...
Followed rules, not dreams. Never again.
...
Anything’s possible with an extension cord.
...
Oklahoma girl meets world. Regrets it.
...
Near death experience sare my forte.
...
She walked barefoot in wet cement.
...
Enjoying my fuck ups too much.
...
Still lost on road less traveled.
...
Glass half full; pockets half empty.
...
We undercover agents need mental toughness.
...
Running away: best decision I made.
...
After eighteen years, sold my book.
...
Some collect coins, I collect diplomas.
...
I fell far from the tree.
...
I think, therefore I am bald.
...
Should not have eaten those mushrooms.
...
Always working on the next chapter.
...
Yes, you can edit this biography.
...
Three marriages. Thirteen novels. Sleep’s overrated.
...
I’d rather be watching a movie.
...
Never could resist overachieving.
...
Wanted to live forever, died trying.
...
A new memoir every five years.
...
If there’s more, I want it.
...
It’s like forever, only much shorter.
...
God, grant me patience. Right now.
...
Topless dancer. Circus clown. Spy. Writer.
...
Often alone,
office drone,
feisty crone.
...
Not quite what I was planning…
...
I inhale battles.
I exhale victories.
...
Strange like cat.
Smart like rat.
...
My family did notkill me.
...
Things happen because I see holes.
...
The freaks, they always find me.
...
Got a pony, broke my arm.
...
She read too much…
into everything.
...
Don’t marry a lawyer, be one.
(c)
June 26, 2015
During NaNoWriMo 2006, SMITH magazine issued a challenge - write a six-word memoir. From published writers, celebrities and undiscovered authors came the responses.
The stories they (briefly) told were philosophical:
"Afraid of everything. Did it anyway." Ayse Erginer
"Found great happiness in insignificant details." Alisdair McDiarmid
"Started small, grew, peaked, shrunk, vanished." George Saunders
Occasionally inspirational:
"Followed rules, not dreams. Never again." Margaret Hellerstein
Funny:
"Perpetual work in progress, need editor." Sherry Fuqua-Gilson
"Became my mother. Please shoot me." Cynthia Kaplan
"Giraffe born to a farm family" Grant Langston
Sad:
"Ex-wife and contractor now have house." Drew Peck
"Everyone who loved me is dead." Ellen Fanning
Utterly devastating:
"Was father, boys died, still sad." Ronald Zalewski
And a few of special interest to Goodreads members:
"Discovered moral code via Judy Blume." Beth Greivel
"Can't read all the time. Bummer." Rina Bander
It's quite a challenge to sum up one's life in six words. I thought and thought until my thinker was sore (about 47 seconds!) then decided to let someone else do the work for me. Here are the two memoirs from the book that best describe ME:
"Bespectacled, besneakered, read and ran around." Rachel Fershleiser
"Never really finished anything, except cake." Carletta Perkins
This is a charming book to pick up whenever you have a few moments.
"I laughed and sighed a lot." Melki
There you go - a six-word memoir of this book.
The stories they (briefly) told were philosophical:
"Afraid of everything. Did it anyway." Ayse Erginer
"Found great happiness in insignificant details." Alisdair McDiarmid
"Started small, grew, peaked, shrunk, vanished." George Saunders
Occasionally inspirational:
"Followed rules, not dreams. Never again." Margaret Hellerstein
Funny:
"Perpetual work in progress, need editor." Sherry Fuqua-Gilson
"Became my mother. Please shoot me." Cynthia Kaplan
"Giraffe born to a farm family" Grant Langston
Sad:
"Ex-wife and contractor now have house." Drew Peck
"Everyone who loved me is dead." Ellen Fanning
Utterly devastating:
"Was father, boys died, still sad." Ronald Zalewski
And a few of special interest to Goodreads members:
"Discovered moral code via Judy Blume." Beth Greivel
"Can't read all the time. Bummer." Rina Bander
It's quite a challenge to sum up one's life in six words. I thought and thought until my thinker was sore (about 47 seconds!) then decided to let someone else do the work for me. Here are the two memoirs from the book that best describe ME:
"Bespectacled, besneakered, read and ran around." Rachel Fershleiser
"Never really finished anything, except cake." Carletta Perkins
This is a charming book to pick up whenever you have a few moments.
"I laughed and sighed a lot." Melki
There you go - a six-word memoir of this book.
March 21, 2008
I love this book, if only because it makes me want to write a six-word memoir for my life. My junior American Studies students wrote their own:
A little rough around the edges.
My conscience: brought to you by…
Dear mom, how is your cell?
I love god. Love me more.
I wonder what my cat’s doing.
What’s broken can always be rebuilt.
I am not quite there yet.
Would you like fries with that?
When do I get to leave?
Homesick for somewhere I’ve never been.
Wherever I go, fun follow me.
Milk in a cup of oil.
It’s not quite as it seems…
Neverending rollercoaster of spirit and solitude.
Always for the sake of others.
Remembered by most. Known by few.
Took the chance; received the glory.
A little rough around the edges.
My conscience: brought to you by…
Dear mom, how is your cell?
I love god. Love me more.
I wonder what my cat’s doing.
What’s broken can always be rebuilt.
I am not quite there yet.
Would you like fries with that?
When do I get to leave?
Homesick for somewhere I’ve never been.
Wherever I go, fun follow me.
Milk in a cup of oil.
It’s not quite as it seems…
Neverending rollercoaster of spirit and solitude.
Always for the sake of others.
Remembered by most. Known by few.
Took the chance; received the glory.
May 26, 2008
Kind of cute; got old quickly.
And for all you wise-crackers out there - that's my review of the book, not my own six-word memoir.
Smith magazine, inspired by Hemingway's six-word story "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn" invited its readers to submit their own six-word memoirs. The results were published in this book, along with some submissions by famous writers and celebrities.
Here are some that I liked:
Couldn't cope so I wrote songs. Aimee Mann
Would you like fries with that? Scott Northrup
Well, I thought it was funny. Stephen Colbert
I wrote a poem. Nobody cared. Joe Heaps Nelson
Became more like myself every year. Eddie Sulimurski
It seems like an essential part of reviewing this book is posting your own six-word memoir, so mine would be:
Awaken. Eat. Love. Drink. Sleep. Repeat.
And for all you wise-crackers out there - that's my review of the book, not my own six-word memoir.
Smith magazine, inspired by Hemingway's six-word story "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn" invited its readers to submit their own six-word memoirs. The results were published in this book, along with some submissions by famous writers and celebrities.
Here are some that I liked:
Couldn't cope so I wrote songs. Aimee Mann
Would you like fries with that? Scott Northrup
Well, I thought it was funny. Stephen Colbert
I wrote a poem. Nobody cared. Joe Heaps Nelson
Became more like myself every year. Eddie Sulimurski
It seems like an essential part of reviewing this book is posting your own six-word memoir, so mine would be:
Awaken. Eat. Love. Drink. Sleep. Repeat.
November 3, 2018
I think this is very cool. It inspired me to write a couple of my own. :)
Want to read
April 27, 2008My attention span only lasts about five words these days, but when I work up to six, I'll give this a shot.
September 14, 2011
I like that this collection mixes famous authors with unfamous ones.
"I asked. They answered. I wrote." --Sebastian Junger
"The psychic said I'd be richer." --Elizabeth Bernstein
"I thought I was someone else." --Tysa Goodrich
"Happiness is a warm salami sandwich." --Stanley Bing
"I'm enjoying even this downward dance." --Column McCann
"Dad died, mom crazy, me too." --Moby
"Fight, work, persevere--gain slight notoriety." --Harvey Pekar
"Mushrooms. Clowns. Wands. Five. Wig. Thatched." --Amy Sedaris
"Struggled with how the mind works." --Steven Pinker
"Brought it to a boil, often." --Mario Batali
"Found great happiness in insignificant details." --Alisdair McDiarmid
"Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said." --Shonna MacDonald
"Couldn't cope so I wrote songs." --Aimee Mann
"ABCs MTV SATs THC IRA NPR." --Jancee Dunn
"Quietly cultivating my inner Lynda Carter." --Joanna Sheehan
"Yes, you can edit this biography." --Jimmy Wales [of Wikipedia]
"Revenge is living well, without you." --Joyce Carol Oates
"Outcast. Picked last. Surprised them all." --Rachel Pine
"Well, I thought it was funny." --Stephen Colbert
"Secret of life: marry an Italian." --Nora Ephron
"Like an angel. The fallen kind." --Rick Bragg
"I asked. They answered. I wrote." --Sebastian Junger
"The psychic said I'd be richer." --Elizabeth Bernstein
"I thought I was someone else." --Tysa Goodrich
"Happiness is a warm salami sandwich." --Stanley Bing
"I'm enjoying even this downward dance." --Column McCann
"Dad died, mom crazy, me too." --Moby
"Fight, work, persevere--gain slight notoriety." --Harvey Pekar
"Mushrooms. Clowns. Wands. Five. Wig. Thatched." --Amy Sedaris
"Struggled with how the mind works." --Steven Pinker
"Brought it to a boil, often." --Mario Batali
"Found great happiness in insignificant details." --Alisdair McDiarmid
"Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said." --Shonna MacDonald
"Couldn't cope so I wrote songs." --Aimee Mann
"ABCs MTV SATs THC IRA NPR." --Jancee Dunn
"Quietly cultivating my inner Lynda Carter." --Joanna Sheehan
"Yes, you can edit this biography." --Jimmy Wales [of Wikipedia]
"Revenge is living well, without you." --Joyce Carol Oates
"Outcast. Picked last. Surprised them all." --Rachel Pine
"Well, I thought it was funny." --Stephen Colbert
"Secret of life: marry an Italian." --Nora Ephron
"Like an angel. The fallen kind." --Rick Bragg
March 10, 2017
Thank you Meghann for recommending this book. I loooooved it. It is what it is: writers give their memoir in six words. Fabulous. I'll give you just ten of my faves:
Being a monk stunk. Better gay.
Happiest when ignoring huge financial debt.
Lived in moment until moment sucked.
Nothing profound, I just sat around.
It was embarrassing, so don't ask.
Thought I would have more impact.
Can't tonight, watching Law & Order.
Anything possible - but I was tired.
Rebel librarian on sabbatical from boys.
No shit I'm critical - you're flawed.
Paralyzed at fifty, life still nifty.
Fat jolly bearded origami-folding accountant.
I'm just here for the beer.
Without me, it's just aweso.
He left me for good, eventually.
Mom blames musical theater. I disagree.
Alone at home, cat on lap.
Hope my obituary spells "debonair" correctly.
So devastated, no babies for me.
Left house one day for cigarettes.
He wore dresses. This caused messes.
Was that more than ten? Well they're all so good! This is very much worth a read, and will probably inspire you to write a few of your own 6-word memoirs, such as...
Just waiting for everyone to sleep.
Word of Wisdom: should we reconsider?
I never could get a baby-sitter.
All year I wait for Jersey.
I'll never stop missing that dog.
This book just makes you think and makes you love life, as in your own life. I highly recommend it!
Being a monk stunk. Better gay.
Happiest when ignoring huge financial debt.
Lived in moment until moment sucked.
Nothing profound, I just sat around.
It was embarrassing, so don't ask.
Thought I would have more impact.
Can't tonight, watching Law & Order.
Anything possible - but I was tired.
Rebel librarian on sabbatical from boys.
No shit I'm critical - you're flawed.
Paralyzed at fifty, life still nifty.
Fat jolly bearded origami-folding accountant.
I'm just here for the beer.
Without me, it's just aweso.
He left me for good, eventually.
Mom blames musical theater. I disagree.
Alone at home, cat on lap.
Hope my obituary spells "debonair" correctly.
So devastated, no babies for me.
Left house one day for cigarettes.
He wore dresses. This caused messes.
Was that more than ten? Well they're all so good! This is very much worth a read, and will probably inspire you to write a few of your own 6-word memoirs, such as...
Just waiting for everyone to sleep.
Word of Wisdom: should we reconsider?
I never could get a baby-sitter.
All year I wait for Jersey.
I'll never stop missing that dog.
This book just makes you think and makes you love life, as in your own life. I highly recommend it!
April 24, 2008
i love work that is driven by the method, not the material. this is often my biggest complaint about crafting books. well, this is definitely not a crafting book. however, it is decidedly driven by the method and not by the materials! challenging a bunch of writers *famous & not* to write their own memoirs in exactly six words, not quite what i was planning is a peek into the thousands of different ways people can tell their stories. i think that having some very strict rules and limits can give the format to find what is really beautiful in the telling of a story, rather than constantly trying to fit quirky experiences into a mold of "interesting writing." this was also part of the lynda barry writing class i took, only she believes in time limits. the idea is the same.
anyway, some of these six word memoirs are good, some are boring as fuck, but overall it's a quick and charming read. i have been challenging my cohorts, pals and comrades to perform their own six-word memoirs at the drop of a hat, and let me tell you, it's quite entertaining.
anyway, some of these six word memoirs are good, some are boring as fuck, but overall it's a quick and charming read. i have been challenging my cohorts, pals and comrades to perform their own six-word memoirs at the drop of a hat, and let me tell you, it's quite entertaining.
December 5, 2007
This book comes out in January 08 but I just read the galley. And yes, it really is a collection of 6-word memoirs. About 1,000 of them. They're compulsive reading and many hold the mystery of a good haiku (but shorter!). The people at the great non-fiction web site, Smith Magazine put this together. To my surprise, I have one in here too (if you ask nicely I'll share it). I remember submitting it months ago but never heard back. Strange.
But I'm excited to be in it, right after Myfanwy Collins (a Goodreads friend!) and right before Stephen Colbert.
But I'm excited to be in it, right after Myfanwy Collins (a Goodreads friend!) and right before Stephen Colbert.
August 13, 2009
WARNING- SOME ADULT LANGUAGE AND SUBJECT MATTER.
Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a story in six words. "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
In 2006, Smith Magazine offered to its readers the opportinuty to write a six-word memoir. This book contains some ot the entries they received.
Cursed by cancer. Blessed by friends.
I was born, some assembly required.
Creative and destructive in many ways.
On her birthday, my life began.
We walked barefoot in wet cement.
I wrote it all down somewhere.
Can't tonight, watching Lost & ER.
She kissed me and said yes!
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot?
Dorothy Gale had the right idea.
If Eliza Doolittle wore cowboy boots...
Without me, it is just aweso.
ABCs MTV SATs THC IRA NPR.
Hope my obituary spells 'debonair' correctly.
To make a long story short...
It's like forever, only much shorter.
Detergent girl: BOLD, TIDE. CHEER. ALL.
Just a rockin' readin' knittin' kitten.
Wasn't born a redhead; fixed that.
Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a story in six words. "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
In 2006, Smith Magazine offered to its readers the opportinuty to write a six-word memoir. This book contains some ot the entries they received.
Cursed by cancer. Blessed by friends.
I was born, some assembly required.
Creative and destructive in many ways.
On her birthday, my life began.
We walked barefoot in wet cement.
I wrote it all down somewhere.
Can't tonight, watching Lost & ER.
She kissed me and said yes!
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot?
Dorothy Gale had the right idea.
If Eliza Doolittle wore cowboy boots...
Without me, it is just aweso.
ABCs MTV SATs THC IRA NPR.
Hope my obituary spells 'debonair' correctly.
To make a long story short...
It's like forever, only much shorter.
Detergent girl: BOLD, TIDE. CHEER. ALL.
Just a rockin' readin' knittin' kitten.
Wasn't born a redhead; fixed that.
April 8, 2012
This is not your typical book. It is a fun read that portrays many different emotions throughout the stories. Each story is 6 words and that is all. By this style of writing you are leaving the interpretation of the story to the reader. They can interpret it many different ways. Some are happy while others are sad. You can easily relate to a handful. By reading this it makes you think of some of your own that you can write.
Each story is completely different some are about relationships while some are just feelings that people have at that time. Some are wise words of wisdom. My favorite is "I take photographs. I see life." It is quirky and can be your own interpretation to how you see it. Others are funny: "Can't tonight, watching Law & Order." I bet many people have been watching a Law & Order marathon and get sucked into watching it and not want to go out.
Some are more serious and can be relatable to someone who has gone through similar situations. Others are ironic and funny : "Atheist alcoholic gets sober through God." This book is an easy and light read but it is still very interesting to see how someone creates a story with only 6 words and it makes sense. It makes a story short and to the point but still getting the understanding and feeling you would get if it was drawn out. I recommend this book to anyone because it is fascinating to see how a story can be 6 words.
Each story is completely different some are about relationships while some are just feelings that people have at that time. Some are wise words of wisdom. My favorite is "I take photographs. I see life." It is quirky and can be your own interpretation to how you see it. Others are funny: "Can't tonight, watching Law & Order." I bet many people have been watching a Law & Order marathon and get sucked into watching it and not want to go out.
Some are more serious and can be relatable to someone who has gone through similar situations. Others are ironic and funny : "Atheist alcoholic gets sober through God." This book is an easy and light read but it is still very interesting to see how someone creates a story with only 6 words and it makes sense. It makes a story short and to the point but still getting the understanding and feeling you would get if it was drawn out. I recommend this book to anyone because it is fascinating to see how a story can be 6 words.
September 11, 2020
I cannot exactly say this is high quality writing, but do we care? Undoubtedly, some better than others- from funny to serious, scary to infuriating, clever to stupid; and some are nothing but weird. It is a novelty of the idea that appeals. And an entertaining way to demonstrate how it is often much more difficult to be succinct than verbose. Rare is the author that can eloquently convey the same information with a fraction of the words.
Six-Word Review:
Authors' Reflections: Sometimes, Less is More!
Six-Word Review:
Authors' Reflections: Sometimes, Less is More!
May 20, 2008
I heard about this book from a listserv that challenged us to sum up our career in six words. Mine: "My students enrich my life daily." The book is at times funny, irreverent, reflective. Other times it's off the mark. But when this many authors are involved, the quality will be spotty. I had my seniors, who are winding down their last week of public school, write their own six-word memoirs. My favorite: "Done. Let's not do this again."
October 10, 2018
Quick, cute and depressing read, from one six word memoir to the next. It takes you all over the place. Glad I read it and there were a few really stand out quotes, which I didn't add every time I came to one, because it would have blown up my feed. Worth a look-see, maybe a good library book option. 4 solid, glad I read it, stars.
September 6, 2014
My six-word memoir?
Always manages to fuck it up.
Always manages to fuck it up.
June 19, 2008
I was disappointed. It was neither as pithy nor as funny as I had hoped.
November 11, 2018
Mildly amusing but got old quickly.
(See what I did there?)
(See what I did there?)
August 18, 2017
I think I have a thing or two for books written in different formats and experimental writing as such.
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's iconic "For sale: baby shoes, never worn", these were the submissions sent to a magazine called SMITH during NaNoWriMo in 2006. A compilation of 6 word memoirs. Maybe, size doesn't matter after all.
I loved reading these and made notes too, for later use. Recommend reading it.
Here are a few(?) favorites -
I am trying, in every regard. —Lionel Shriver
Took scenic route, got in late. —Will Blythe
Which comes first: tequila or accident? —Penelope Whitney
Found true love, married someone else. —Bjorn Stromberg
She walked barefoot in wet cement. —Michelle Pinchev
Afraid of everything. Did it anyway. —Ayse Erginer
Lost and found, rescued by dog. —Gail Reilly
Oh, to have just one puff ! —Suhana Selamat
Batteries are cheap. Who needs men? —Rebecca McLenna
Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said. —Shonna MacDonald
Ate caterpillars. Still won’t grow up. —Chris Jackson
My heart is deaf, head dumb. —David Matthews
Boys liked her. She preferred books. —Anneliese Cuttle
Tequila. Amnesia. Coincidence? I think not. —Larry Caraviello
Lucky in everything else but love. —Eliot Sheridan
Stoned. Boned. Where am I now? —Sherry Levy
Blade cuts, blood runs, scars remain. —Heather Hudgins (sigh!)
Legs spread, I withheld my intelligence. —Christine Granados
I have not done it all. —Aaron Knoll
If there’s more, I want it. —Alex Hart
I told you I was crazy. —Michaline Babich
I died at an early age. —John Coyne
Forgot to say I love her. —Omi Castanar
Let me in, you narrative whore. —C. McClosky
Like an angel. The fallen kind. —Rick Bragg
Asked to quiet down; spoke louder. —Wendy Lee
Ex-addict now addicted to book deals. —Susan Shapiro
Big hair, big heart, big hurry. —Larry Smith
Affection. Erection. No protection. Injection. Infection. —Colleen Zachary
Speaks mind especially when losing it. —Ellis Reid
Dead mom watching. I’ll be good. —Israel Hyman
Nerdy, wordy, learned to shut up. —Caren Lissner
Thought long and hard. Got migraine. —Lisa Levy
Clumsy girl found adventure. Also, bruises. —Rebecca Campbell
Eight thousand orgasms. Only one baby. —Neal Pollack
EDITOR. Get it? —Kate Hamill
Big heart protected by sharp tongue. —Kris Kleindienst
Found a demon to love forever. —Aaron Olson
I am happy today. Thank you!
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's iconic "For sale: baby shoes, never worn", these were the submissions sent to a magazine called SMITH during NaNoWriMo in 2006. A compilation of 6 word memoirs. Maybe, size doesn't matter after all.
I loved reading these and made notes too, for later use. Recommend reading it.
Here are a few(?) favorites -
I am trying, in every regard. —Lionel Shriver
Took scenic route, got in late. —Will Blythe
Which comes first: tequila or accident? —Penelope Whitney
Found true love, married someone else. —Bjorn Stromberg
She walked barefoot in wet cement. —Michelle Pinchev
Afraid of everything. Did it anyway. —Ayse Erginer
Lost and found, rescued by dog. —Gail Reilly
Oh, to have just one puff ! —Suhana Selamat
Batteries are cheap. Who needs men? —Rebecca McLenna
Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said. —Shonna MacDonald
Ate caterpillars. Still won’t grow up. —Chris Jackson
My heart is deaf, head dumb. —David Matthews
Boys liked her. She preferred books. —Anneliese Cuttle
Tequila. Amnesia. Coincidence? I think not. —Larry Caraviello
Lucky in everything else but love. —Eliot Sheridan
Stoned. Boned. Where am I now? —Sherry Levy
Blade cuts, blood runs, scars remain. —Heather Hudgins (sigh!)
Legs spread, I withheld my intelligence. —Christine Granados
I have not done it all. —Aaron Knoll
If there’s more, I want it. —Alex Hart
I told you I was crazy. —Michaline Babich
I died at an early age. —John Coyne
Forgot to say I love her. —Omi Castanar
Let me in, you narrative whore. —C. McClosky
Like an angel. The fallen kind. —Rick Bragg
Asked to quiet down; spoke louder. —Wendy Lee
Ex-addict now addicted to book deals. —Susan Shapiro
Big hair, big heart, big hurry. —Larry Smith
Affection. Erection. No protection. Injection. Infection. —Colleen Zachary
Speaks mind especially when losing it. —Ellis Reid
Dead mom watching. I’ll be good. —Israel Hyman
Nerdy, wordy, learned to shut up. —Caren Lissner
Thought long and hard. Got migraine. —Lisa Levy
Clumsy girl found adventure. Also, bruises. —Rebecca Campbell
Eight thousand orgasms. Only one baby. —Neal Pollack
EDITOR. Get it? —Kate Hamill
Big heart protected by sharp tongue. —Kris Kleindienst
Found a demon to love forever. —Aaron Olson
I am happy today. Thank you!
May 15, 2011
Talk about economy of words!!! The editors of Smith magazine issued a challenge to its readers to write a summary of their lives in a single sentence of six words--no more, no less. The resulting book (Not Quite What I Was Planning) is delightful and depressing; humorous and morose; endearing and disenchanting. I love words and their power, so this book spoke to me on that level alone. It is amazing how much you can say without saying hardly anything (was that a double negative? If so, I'm sorry). My only caveat about the book--the editors did not edit out objectionable content (i.e. subject matter, language). I have edited my own personal copy, so if you want to borrow it, let me know! 4.5 stars, if you don't count the offensive ones.
Here are some examples of my favorite six-word memoirs:
Surname rhymes with profanity. Childhood torture. (Noah Smit)
We were our own Springer episode. (Michelle Hoogerwerf)--(It probably started with the last name!)
My second grade teacher was right (Janelle Brown)
Liberal at 18; Conservative by 40. (Pat Ryan)
Many hands have kept me afloat. (Nick Flynn)
I was the only planned sibling. (Mary Sebus)
I live the perfect imperfect life. (Paul Lore)
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? (Scott Mebus)--(Isn't the imagery great?)
Won the fight. Lost the girl. (Jim O'Grady)
You can't spend time with this book down without mentally composing your own six-word memoirs. Here's one of mine:
Studied hard; married well; stayed home. (I hope it doesn't sound regretful--it's just true; that's all. I wish I could add the word "contentedly" at the end, but I'm out of words.) :)
Here are some examples of my favorite six-word memoirs:
Surname rhymes with profanity. Childhood torture. (Noah Smit)
We were our own Springer episode. (Michelle Hoogerwerf)--(It probably started with the last name!)
My second grade teacher was right (Janelle Brown)
Liberal at 18; Conservative by 40. (Pat Ryan)
Many hands have kept me afloat. (Nick Flynn)
I was the only planned sibling. (Mary Sebus)
I live the perfect imperfect life. (Paul Lore)
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? (Scott Mebus)--(Isn't the imagery great?)
Won the fight. Lost the girl. (Jim O'Grady)
You can't spend time with this book down without mentally composing your own six-word memoirs. Here's one of mine:
Studied hard; married well; stayed home. (I hope it doesn't sound regretful--it's just true; that's all. I wish I could add the word "contentedly" at the end, but I'm out of words.) :)
May 27, 2010
This was a quick and delightful read that I would recommend to everyone.
The stories are funny, thoughtful, thoughtless, heart-breaking, confusing, all condensed down to the bare bones. It's amazing how much you can reveal in only 6 words!
Some of my favourites were:
I still make coffee for two. -Zak Nelson
Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep. -Gabrielle Maconi
Found true love, married someone else. -Bjorn Stromberg
Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts. -Harold Ramis
I coloured outside of the lines. -Jacob Thomas
Always working on the next chapter. -Milan Pham
Maybe you had to be there. -Ray Blount Jr.
Act two curtain brought dramatic improvements. -John Godfrey
And my own:
There is still time... I hope!
The stories are funny, thoughtful, thoughtless, heart-breaking, confusing, all condensed down to the bare bones. It's amazing how much you can reveal in only 6 words!
Some of my favourites were:
I still make coffee for two. -Zak Nelson
Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep. -Gabrielle Maconi
Found true love, married someone else. -Bjorn Stromberg
Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts. -Harold Ramis
I coloured outside of the lines. -Jacob Thomas
Always working on the next chapter. -Milan Pham
Maybe you had to be there. -Ray Blount Jr.
Act two curtain brought dramatic improvements. -John Godfrey
And my own:
There is still time... I hope!
April 11, 2008
Interesting to compare this kind of concision, mostly about what we want others to think of us, to the concision of, say, Basho or Issa - those pebble in a well words that just expand. The things in this book are so often reductive, rather than reflective or expansive. er... But still it is interesting, and a wonderful excercise, or party game, or whatever the hell you'd call it. Lots and lots of fun. And I just love little snippy things. Like Georg Lichtenstein's The Waste Books, Feneon's Novels in Three Lines, Pessoa's Book of Disquiet, Porchia's Voices, & various epigrams & stuff. What I want is a book of fart poker (aka Exquisite Corpse) creations.
December 22, 2008
This is the most hilarious book ever!!! It was inspired by a challenge issued to Ernest Hemingway to come up write a story in six words. He wrote,"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Celebrities and regular people submitted their own six word memoirs in response to a Smith Magazine post. Some of my favorites include:
She walked barefoot in wet cement
My life's a bunch of almosts
Fact checker by day, liar by night
After reading this you won't be able to resist writing your own and your friends' six word memoirs. It's almost as fun as diagnosing psychological disorders and astrological signs!
She walked barefoot in wet cement
My life's a bunch of almosts
Fact checker by day, liar by night
After reading this you won't be able to resist writing your own and your friends' six word memoirs. It's almost as fun as diagnosing psychological disorders and astrological signs!
April 20, 2015
Interesting, probably closer to a four, if only because it makes you want to try and write your own memoir in six words. Only issue was how did none of the editors notice that one of the "memoirs" was, verbatim, an Oscar Wilde quote: "I can resist everything except temptation" and not made up by the girl who submitted it??
May 2, 2014
I love this book so very much. It makes me smile, and it makes me think.
December 5, 2019
A fun and fast read. Here are some favorites--- what would yours say?
Followed yellow brick road, disappointment ensued. Kelsey Ochs
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? -Scott Mebus
I am awfully bored at work. -Chris Ponchak
I ate, drank, and was hairy. -Yianni Varonis
In a Manolo world, I'm Keds. Colleen Cook
Liars, hysterectomy didn't improve sex life! -Joan Rivers
He wanted much, he feared more. - Randall Currey
Underachieving pleasure punk seeks constant gratification. -Dennis Elj
Lapsed Catholic; failed poet; unpublished prayers. -Marc Sheehan
If there's more, I want it. -Alex Hart
Born lucky, striving to die worthy. -Julia Carpenter
I wrote a poem. Nobody cared. -Joe Heaps Nelson
... exalted philanderer of the English language... - Steven Ekstrom
Slightly flabby, slightly fabulous, trying hard. Amy Friedman
Drew on walls, creative for life. DeAnna Sandoval
More than yesterday, less than tomorrow. - Nichiren Nahuel Palombo
I don't nibble. I bite. Hard. -Matthew Torres
Maybe you had to be there. - Roy Bount Jr.
Right brain working left brain job. -Dave Terry
EDITOR. Get it? -Kate Hamill
Looking to know everything about everything. Tor Anderson
Used to add. Now I subtract. -Melissa Gorelick
Tried not believing everything I thought. - Beth Linas
Loved home. Left to make sure. -Adam Krefman
Seeds, flowers, pollen, bees, honey, toast. -Jeanette Cheezum
No thank you. I'm just looking. -Kariann Burleson
Followed yellow brick road, disappointment ensued. Kelsey Ochs
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? -Scott Mebus
I am awfully bored at work. -Chris Ponchak
I ate, drank, and was hairy. -Yianni Varonis
In a Manolo world, I'm Keds. Colleen Cook
Liars, hysterectomy didn't improve sex life! -Joan Rivers
He wanted much, he feared more. - Randall Currey
Underachieving pleasure punk seeks constant gratification. -Dennis Elj
Lapsed Catholic; failed poet; unpublished prayers. -Marc Sheehan
If there's more, I want it. -Alex Hart
Born lucky, striving to die worthy. -Julia Carpenter
I wrote a poem. Nobody cared. -Joe Heaps Nelson
... exalted philanderer of the English language... - Steven Ekstrom
Slightly flabby, slightly fabulous, trying hard. Amy Friedman
Drew on walls, creative for life. DeAnna Sandoval
More than yesterday, less than tomorrow. - Nichiren Nahuel Palombo
I don't nibble. I bite. Hard. -Matthew Torres
Maybe you had to be there. - Roy Bount Jr.
Right brain working left brain job. -Dave Terry
EDITOR. Get it? -Kate Hamill
Looking to know everything about everything. Tor Anderson
Used to add. Now I subtract. -Melissa Gorelick
Tried not believing everything I thought. - Beth Linas
Loved home. Left to make sure. -Adam Krefman
Seeds, flowers, pollen, bees, honey, toast. -Jeanette Cheezum
No thank you. I'm just looking. -Kariann Burleson
January 24, 2018
When I first heard about this book, I was intrigued.
It took me far longer to "read" than I had intended, mostly because the majority of the memoirs were not as striking as the Hemingway story: "For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn." Takes your breath away, right? I was anticipating more along those lines, but instead stories not quite so exciting were included, like: "I grew and grew and grew." -Randy Newcomer and "In the office. It smells here. - Meera Parthasarathy.
The book was still pretty good.
Totally enjoyable and worth the read.
Going along, think about your story.
Have a good time with it!
It took me far longer to "read" than I had intended, mostly because the majority of the memoirs were not as striking as the Hemingway story: "For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn." Takes your breath away, right? I was anticipating more along those lines, but instead stories not quite so exciting were included, like: "I grew and grew and grew." -Randy Newcomer and "In the office. It smells here. - Meera Parthasarathy.
The book was still pretty good.
Totally enjoyable and worth the read.
Going along, think about your story.
Have a good time with it!
September 12, 2017
I'm in love with this little book of teensy, tiny books! So poignant. Many funny, many sad, too much regret. Makes you think about life much more than I expected it would when I picked it up. Don't skip the introduction, and definitely try your hand at writing your own.
July 23, 2018
enjoyable to pick up and read a few here and there
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