A Life... In Six Words
SMITH magazine, an online journal, has published thousands of six word memoirs. They adapted the idea from a possibly mythical challenge to Ernest Hemingway- write a story in just six words.
"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
We're going to talk with editors of a collection called Not Quite What I Was Planning, Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. Just a couple of examples: "Took scenic route, got in late," from Will Blythe. "I still make coffee for two," from Zak Nelson "Brought it to a boil, often," from Mario Batali.
Of course, I couldn't resist, so here's mine:
WBAI, WRVR, ATC, BBC, MLB, TOTN.
Well, more of a resume, I suppose. And we keep being told to keep those short.
* Check out more 6-word memoirs here.
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Late bloomer, fast talker, crappy cook.
I'm still pretty young, and definitely at the heart of that process of "finding myself." It seems a little early to summarize my life. So here goes:
"I reserve the right to change."
I laughed, I cried, I tried.
"Is it time to retire yet?"
- and I'm only 28...
I chose the road less traveled.
Triumph through struggle, NEVER give up!
Jersey anthropologist marries, never sings opera
Florida, Michigan, California, Virginia, Florida, Arizona
As a 24 year old black female with at least one parent that grew up in the segregated south I identify with the following:
Born into the Educational Availability Age
Had a life...became a wife
I learned. I taught. I retired.
Sick girl still has high hopes.
Previously high achiever succumbs to mediocrity.
Pit bull personality; sweet pea disguise.
why six--do it in three:
hatched
matched
despatched
I care for others, a nurse.
"Hard rock, hard drugs, hard men" or never underestimate sweet little old ladies.
Born poor, music school, poor still.
Not home, en route, I trust
6 word memoir:
Depression's grandchild is now Gore's child.
Some Hits,Some Runs,Some Errors
An attempt at an autobiographical six word haiku:
Masculinity
Impaired. Life, not withstanding,
Satisfactory.
Slapped by a nurse; still sore.
Wait! I only get six words?
obedient child, mean mommy, freed grandma
A bubble off plumb . . . and short.
four children, years of tuition bills
Born too early, died way too...
came out...family disowned...still happy
Solo artist raising Chinese daughter--creatively.
Can never find my hash pipe.
Is this it? what a waste...
Life lived in love and service.
I'll get it right...next time.
I didn't notice you were there
Ran with scissors - what a ride!
wanted nothing; got what he wanted.
College was a waste of money.
I am here! What was that?
Navy blue, black, white and read.
and then the cops came. crap!
I can't believe I did that.
I laughed, I cried, I learned
Was born, dad died, got depressed.
depression, bootstraps, medication, divorce, love, happiness
Crash, slide, go faster next time.
Motorcycle racing in 6 words.
Boring, Boring, Boring, Depressing,Boring, Boring
Don't have kids but married a few.
Wrong world for me, miss home.
2_dogs, 2_cats, 2_boys, too much
This is it? What? No encore?
I will never do that again.
Never enough money, had fun anyway.
I am NOT a loser (maybe).
My recipe struggle strength and trust.
Daugher, wife, mother, nurse, attorney, grandmother.
mom miserable, husband, kids have life.
Obama can help us abolish cynicism
Fight for life, revived times ten.
Nothing worse than a weak drink.
Dean from Orem, UT.
My six-word memoir: You find what you look for.
Eternally optimistic, often disappointed, still joyful.
FOUR BIRTHS: MOTHER, SPIRIT, JESUS, GOD
lived hard, laughed alot, loved many
Still living at home with parents.
Ran forever and never left home.
Born poor, still the same, sadly.
My heart belongs to my son.
Just like my mom? I'm honored.
A long crawl in small shorts.
i should have been a writer
Reality's a myth, perception's the rule
Job is lame gives freedomless shame
veni vidi amplio
I came, I saw, I improved
Worships God. Loves Joy. Poet's Heart.
(For explanation: My wife is Joy.)
Stop, get over it, move on.
Rocked by addiction, all opportunities lost.
Lived loved and ate with gusto.
As a teenager, I knew eveything.
icame, i saw, i considered
Lived, Loved, Lost, Left, Learned, Living
paint, sing, learn, love, rear, re-adapt
Death three times. Not dead yet!
Been there; done like a dinner.
Lots of kids. Immortality is mine!
expect nothing, be ready for anything
My six word memoir_
Lived Coasts
Tried Mid-continent
Settled Farm
Still trying to figure it out!!
Got it all, still not happy.
Loved dearly, hurt badly, survived barely
Traveled, heard, seen much; to continue.
too much life for six words
I know I don't know any more.
I came, I saw, I played.
Nobody's daughter. Finally free to fly.
Early achiever, subsequent procrastinator,constant dreamer
My darling daughter. Angry. Silent. Gone.
"Alway's failing! Will that stop me??"
A line from a Tom Leher song:
"Sliding down the razorblade of life"
City to Mountains; Beaten to Triumphant!
Got old. Got fat. Now what?
Writer, doula, mom, wife, daughter. Torn.
Quiet the voices, keep them watching.
My own hero, my worst enemy
Of Ten, thankful for the challenges.
eat, love, share, create, dream, truth
Youngest one born -- still needing attention.
Renaissance feminist not lacking confidence.
Lapsed Catholic, born again creative clown
Innocent to promiscuous; now finally, love
Screwed, till he set me free.
Volkswagon, motorcycle, sedan, minivan, sports car.
atehist, father, farmer, life long learner
My six words are: "Stroke! Even doctors get ememas!"
I am a practicing Nephrologist(kidneys/dialysis) who had a massive stroke as the result of an infected heart valve. I underwent 5 surgeries, 120 days in the hospital, 2 months in a rehab hospital.
I now work part time and continue with physical therapy.
This has been my recent theme when talking to my patients, most who have severe chronic diseasses. My journey and my stories have helped my patients them identify with me. It has often given them the courage to continue as they know that I too have gone through painful, embarassing, and humiliating times as a patient.
plump, fat, obese, plump, fat, obese
Oh, to be a Mazzone kid!
We hear this from friends ALL the time. We have come to realize that by our guidance, support and instruction our children are doing everything we wish we had been able to!
Survivors' daughter. Must succeed. Salutatorian. CEO.
If I had two more words they would be:
Not MD.
As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, I was expected to achieve what my parents were denied. While I received an MBA and my sister a PhD, neither of us fulfilled our parents' true wishes.
Football star's grandkid became gay bonvivant!
"I'm not what I am not"
Or, if contractions actually count as two words...
"Am not what I am not"
Singed, Frayed, Educated, Betrayed, Still Curious
My husband just came up with this one:
"I finished faster than you"
to which I responded
"I only need four"
and he came back with
"Done in three"
and then it went to
"Just two" and "Done"
Pretty much sums up the competitive nature of our relationship!
Didn't know. Thought I did.
thirty two, widowed, graduate school dropout
"Why Does the Caged Bird Sing"?
In Vitro Fertilization,
Dreams See Fruition!
Stealing from Saul Bellow...
"I should have been wearing pajamas."
Downwinder survived cancer. Happy husband, father.
I will leave this world better.
Ready for change (just not now)
Save me, from my own confusion.
Held by fear - Freed by love.
Complacent. Stationary, on the greener side.
Lost. Found. Love. Family. Healthy? Hopeful
Finally I'm on the right track.
Happy, joyful, loved, excited, fulfilled, 41,
Still haven't found my true love.
Waiting to be noticed at home.
No kids. Just animals. No regrets.
born, abused, betrayed, destroyed, what's life
I shouldn't be alive, yet here I am, and tomorrow I am getting married.
Because of that I chose the following:
Complete: Tragedy, Adversity, Loss, Redemption, Love
Arkansas, Virginia, New York, Ohio,Arkansas, Home
Omigosh! Curious, amazing! Life as participant!
And I want full custody.....opps.
Mom at 38, tired at 48.
Beware ! Attention Span Six Words ! Beware !
Trying not to be my mom
Played soldier, fought, oppose all wars.
Wiener dog for me. Dog gone.
engineering magician, turned coal into electricity.
Colombian
American
Confused
Enlightened
Ultimately
Happy
It is well with my soul.
I am skinny, but strangely strong.
Sincerely trying and sometimes coming close.
As the offspring of a teenage abusive mother, I could have been a statistic. Instead, I'm educated with a beautiful home and terrific family so...
I beat the odds,took a beating
second-guessing myself, time after time. Sad.
Cat cuddles. Bliss. Oh, she's gone.
Looking for freedom's a glorious game.
Self-doubt defeated, Creative sets more goals.
Raised in foster care- it sucked!
Learning to love the unlovable girl.
Sometimes going through the motions, without Paul.
Wandered the crooked highway seeking Tao.
This Life: Harder than I thought
Throwaway child, succeeded against all odds.
Man! You are all so serious! Or should I say, 'A lot of quiet desperation here.' This is a good assignment, thank you. Here's me-- Raised by dogs, can't remember why.
Trying not to do my homework.
sixty years still long way home.
I told you I was sick!
What they said was not true.
Adopted, college, marriage, children, birth mother.
here's two: "pull the cork let's celebrate" or "pull the cork let's feast'
Such a strange journey, getting here.
My philosophy? "Have a memorable day."
Wow, this isn't easy, is it?
I wish I could tell them.
Unemployed agnostic misanthropic orphaned vagabond teacher
A professor once wrote the following sentence on a chalkboard:
"Woman without her man is nothing."
Then he asked a room full of angry women to rewrite the sentence, but without changing any of the word order. None could come up with something as powerful as this:
"Woman! Without her, man is nothing."
Talk about punctuation!
daughter, sister, student, teacher, wife, mother
Tomorrow never came. Yesterday never left.
I thought I knew, but didn't
Like trying to milk a chicken
I enjoyed the program and couldn't resist playing the game. Here are a few of my contributions:
Now gray. Still play. Hooray!
Young love. Dumb love. True love.
Rare. Medium rare. Well done. Voila!
I was. I am. I will.
I dared. I did. I dream.
Young Iranian physicist,unemployed in America!
Feeling like I should be sure.
He lived how one should: Honorably
Drowning In Notes. Do Not Resuscitate.
I'm studying for the bar exams - I just moved to the US.
Chicago beat hippie pissed radical artiste
Chicago beat hippie pissed radical artiste
my husband left for another woman
"Rock steady with occasional seismic shifts."
TOTN 6 word memoir:
Lost both parents to siblings' greed.
Gave too much; still not sorry.
had a chance, took a pass.
Still Crazy After All These Years
(with thanks to Paul Simon)
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Pay attention!
I can, I will, I am
Wish I did, wish I didn't.
from beginning to end (so far)
innocence, discovery, chaos, disarray, confusion, puberty.
Still time to raise hell! Bye!
A life deferred for someone else
I never thought I would fail.
never had a chance
too late
Loves, paints, writes, thinks, transforms always.
Top student, disappointing career, adorable kids.
Had one baby, then had another.
I'm happy, that's the best reveange.
My best, is yet to come!
Watched, listened, did, failed, tried again.
Ongoing: I have five words left
my life in six words: Born white, married black, died human.
Truth, Beauty, Empathy:
Pretty Simple Philosophy
Bark bark bark! Hate you, moon.
Radio, music, comedy, coffee, hugs. Yay!
My fiction always beats my truth.
Looking for happiness while being spontaneous
alone, married, in-laws, twins, still alone
For Willie Lowman:
"Well liked, for what it's worth"
Child Hamburg Bombing July 1943 Survived
Flying the Cessna took me there !
Conflicted Conservative, Loving Liberal, Seeking Moderation.
Worth doing? Worth doing to excess!
Brought up straight-now a dyke
Born to teach, lives to travel.
Academic. Mom. Knew all, now nothing.
Adventure now happens in the sandbox.
Boys, like puppies, make me happy.
Machupichu. Minivan. Times change, I'm same.
My sons are crazy. Me too.
Alaska-raised, Amazon-trained, Environment-dedicated.
It's about who's left standing
Extremely proud that I am humble.
What might have been if only...
I'm one of the contributors whose memoir is in the book: "School geek married a luscious cheerleader."
Here are two of mine that didn't make it:
Frustrated fighter pilot: glasses at fourteen
Wrecked little boy repaired by Jesus.
And here are two new ones:
Wrangled brothers, offspring, words, Cub Scouts.
Cruising with brothers, '78 Volare wagon.
These two are references to the KC-135 tanker aircraft I was crew chief of, callsign Getty 88. At the time my Dad owned a Getty station in Maine:
Dad and I owned Getty stations
Her name is "Spirit of Plattsburgh"
Ninjas killed parents, need kung-fu lessons
Reading these, I know I'm human.
precocious, cowed, alienated,
emigrated, bowed, ferocious
I wish I had said that.
did wrong, did right, happily married
What I'd like to say is...
Wish I'd spent more time alone!
reminder to self: Life is good
Live, Love, Laugh. I want to.
Gifts received. Potential unrealized. Still happy.
Motherless daughter taking care of herself.
Started brainy, pried open my heart
Cancelled Newspaper. Future looks remarkbly bright.
Beth
This is all there is. Right
New Empty Nester
Don't Do It! Do It! Done!
Falling in Love
Don't Do It! Why Not? Done!
Entrepreneur
Coffee: Caffeine, Comfort, Companion, Community, Compassion.
The life cycle
What if? What now? Whatever! Whew!
Mother of teenager
Been there. Done that.
Been there. Done that.
Trying again.
I've never played God very well
Betting on unplayed harmonies resolving musically.
Nonconformist, ostracized, never compromised, austere, revered
Caretaker:Life at its very best.
Don't let me die in Wyoming!
Almost free to live for myself.
Waste of airtime, no more contributions.
haven't experienced much, not dead yet.
love the Earth
like my baby
There is life beyond Staten Island
A life in 6 words:
Kept walking, kept thinking, kept dreaming
I can't tonight, I have rehearsal
Was engineer, more fulfilled now nurse.
Indian, American, Caught between two cultures
Growing old is not for sissies
Existence nice, despite Dad's career advice
Every morning I wake up happy.
Quit management for unpaid internship. Happier.
--MINE--
Trying not to be my father.
I came, I saw, I left.
Tried, failed, tried again, failed again.
I wanna be alone; still surrounded.
You'll be sorry when I'm gone.
Tomorow holds much better days.
The journey aint over, i'll survive.
Close it off, board it up.
Lifes to long for six words.
Its not over yet, keep pushing.
Small town living, holds big dreams.
Stayed away from drugs and alchohal.
Perfection means you're only goin down.
When i'm done you'll know it.
Like Lays, I couldn't choose just one. Here goes:
Sesame Street, unfortunately, was a lie.
Humor masks anguish. Love, Your Son.
My inner writer won't come out.
the universe's blessings flow to me
Only six words? Better use German...
Plan ahead or you'll run out
Disconnected, yet still possess eternal hope.
Seeking perfection, I missed the deadline.
Life is good, not long enough
Childhood is more fun this time.
Could have gone differently, but didn't.
For sale: college degree, never used.
For your 6-word biographies.
How did I get this old?
Always sharpening my pencil; never writing
Wrestled with Doubt and Confusion. Lost.
Said much; never what I meant.
Teaching makes me old before time.
Passion for innocence of animals. Quit job.
Too old for school. Going anyway.
No regrets because of my son.
My six word biography would be:
Used to celebrate Nine Eleven, not now.
Bipolar
Highs and Lows
I'm OK
Questions are more important than Answers.
So far, so good, download 2.0.
Stay at home dad, not unemployed
Mom had me; Jesus has me.
Barefoot. Pregnant. I'm a happy feminist.
Thought I had my life planed
self-sabotage intersperse surprising self-actualization
college only gaurantees lots of debt
Spent trust-fund, now work for County.
Other woman. Wife has their life.
Cutting through the layers of fear.
we create our own reality
My story depends on who's listening.
I'm the source of my happiness
Absorbing the world makes me grow.
Expectantly waiting for marvelous good fortune.
Nancy Flew: Made My Day Too
I want to save the world.
Lips chapped, applies load of chapstick
Not addicted to religion or hate.
Don't know who I am yet.
It's a pity I'm not witty.
Small girl, big dreams. Expect greatness.
Changed mind. Want to be famous.
Living fast; running from the past.
I do not like wearing pants.
Finding myself in world of strangers.
Painful periods, taking YAZ, boobs grew!
God is love. I believe it.
In Creative Writing becoming momentarily famous.
brush teeth six times a day
Dream. Hope. Believe. God is love.
Teach,not preach. Try. To reach.
I don't want to write, Mom.
I really hope this gets posted.
I just keep on keeping on.
"My variety will eventually kill me."
i like to drive really fast
my indicisiveness has ruined lives. oops.
Mine; the life which doesn't matter.
i love to make people laugh.
Puerta Ricans are not from Mexico.
Siblings everywhere, parents missing, chaos ensues.
Becoming famous was never so easy.
I'm not half what they are.
Lights off, music on, dance forever.
I'm everything you think I am.
Too much family, away to college.
Wonder if I made right choice.
Looking back no more tomorrow smiles
I really think entirely too much.
love is good; love is great
LOVE IS GONNA BAKE CAKES
I'm not obsessed, I'm passionately addicted.
Keep pursuing dreams, after many falls
Thought life would begin at forty.
The best years of my life?
Moved out. Mom is SO smart!
Struggling to Believe.
Believing in Struggle.
Dogperson became catlady; now cat's gone.
Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, Love.
Too many died, life's been hard
Husband's Valentine: suicide. Crippled many lives.
Leave better world. Save the cats.
A pirate looks at forty-how? Stolen from Jimmy Buffett. Made it to 40,after doing all the dumb things when I was a kid.
success will be the best revenge.
Live, laugh, love; fuse, fight, frustrate
Bake a cake, then eat it.
my razor cuts like your smile
Never drank before, now smashed everyday.
Have school everyday. Then I sleep.
Still searching for the right skin.
Came here to make you smile
I dislike the creative writing teacher.
I like the creative writing teacher!
I wish i was John StamoS!
Spent time wishing I was her.
Curious child, rebellious teen, undetermined adult...
trying for no regrets. not easy.
VVVVVVVVVVVV
what if i said yes instead?
Dreams Big, Lacks Ambition Fulfilling Dreams.
love: tortured path of human transformation
Early success, life intervened, still recovering.
Church forgot childhood. Still loves mother.
Cancer, twice. Dying from failed marriage.
I dislike the creative writing teacher.
Trying to get over the rainbow.
If rich in love, rich overall :)
Life speeds by, enjoy the thrill
Anything I want?! A deli sandwich!
My home nowhere, my heart everywhere (miliary travelling)
A lot of these memoirs are depressing.
My life: Pain, pleasuree, fear, excitement
What's so wrong with being forty?
[I'm not 40, I just hate when people don't want to say their age] :D
I am the next American Idol!
Sometimes darkness is the only light..
never goodbye, just see you later.
( military drafts)
Who cares? Just go for it.
Curiosity killed cat, satisfaction brought back
What do blind people dream of?
I'll follow you into the dark.
People leave me, God keeps me.
Yes, "I believe! Help my unbelief!"
No drinks, no drugs, still high
She loves to face her fears
Born. Grateful for gift of life.
Trying not to worry about it.
It's been fun to join in!
Wanted: Love; will sing and dance
I've already said too much.
Self pity, fear, confusion, anger, envy, hope
Thrilled to be here I am.
Married beautiful women, ended dancing alone.
thought i knew, didn't, just illusions
didn't appy myself,wish i had
Student teacher, a lot to learn
Too late now to join circus
live fast, die slow, have fun!
Working on list, making some progress.
Sex drugs and rock and roll
Love the moments; all we have!
Wait! Let me think of something...
Waiting to meet someone like me!
Clothes on. Clothes off. Off better.
Two brothers, I'm in the middle.
There but for me go I.
"Mixed bag, life. In control, currently."
"A pretty flower blooms, then dies."
Few runs, few hits, few errors.
Dad's drunk. I drank. I quit.
Eat well, laugh often, live well.
Lived well. Loved well. Still lonely.
Loved him, lost him, helped others.
Wasted my life. Please- don't you.
Here is one for each of my three young children. I wonder if they'll change:
"First. Born. To experience. To LIVE!"
"Middle child. Gentle Soul. Forever Mamma's."
"Primal wound. Ours forever. Resilient. Remarkable."
Mourning yesterday, fearing tomorrow, confused today.
Tiptoeing through insanity in funky shoes.
Came out crying. Cried out: "Coming".
Music Children Law Horses Love Loss
My past is of no consequence.
Smile when angry. It scares people.
Go far, see wide, love much.
Mar2, Look? Run! Have. -See- ,Sept9
stumbled got up, stumbled got up
One door closes, another door opens.
1) I had an epiphany. It hurt. 2)The sun came up! Now what? 3)I prescribe LOL to cure ills. 4)BP pills flatten all emotions. 5)Mirror made me weep. Ignore it. 6)Down today, up tomorrow, repeat repeatedly. 7)Misery loves company, but I'm alone! 8)Think widdershins, shake the world up. 9)No one calls me lover, sigh. 10)My children are unfinished, I pray. 11)I am an orphan, still weeping. 12) You died too soon, Baby Girl. 13) I am bitter, life is sweet. 14)God save me from Good Intentions. 15) Hurt me and I bleed words. 16)Mama forgot to warn me about.... 17)I've learned old women are invisible.
Obsessively curious blonde, but joyously confused.
Live in here and now... someday.
Two exes. Drama ends. Peace reigns.
My to-do list - forty years long.
happy, sad, sad, happy, happy, ?
Look ma, no hands. Whhooaaaa... YES!
Few material desires, even less ambition.
Gidget,Bonanza,MASH,Cheers,Friends,Lost.
Sweet child, angry wife, disappointed being
Marbles, Bikes, Girls, Children, Debt, Marbles.
One of my MANY self-made mottos:
Be brave and do hard things.
Transgendered person
Too scared
Never changes
Many mistakes.Can still laugh.Evolving.
Catholic as a kid. Secular humanist as an adult.
We grow strong in our hearts.
;-) yes, we do.
Wait! God's not finished with me.
You don't look like a lawyer.
Survived quarter life-crisis.
Pursuing childhood dream.
Eagles,Sixers, Flyers, Phillies- Please God
Love to eat; need to diet.
