Not Quite What I Was Planning
Six-word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
Book Summary
A compelling, illustrated compilation of six word memoirs, contributed by both famous and obscure writers to Smith magazine, records the human experience in works that are by turn whimsical, poignant, and bizarre, by such authors as Joyce Carol Oates, Deepak Chopra, Sebastian Junger, Joan Rivers, Dave Eggers, Mario Batali, and many others. Original. 40,000 first printing.
Genres:
NPR stories about Not Quite What I Was Planning
Note: Book excerpts are provided by the publisher and may contain language some find offensive.
Excerpt: Not Quite What I Was Planning
Not Quite What I Was Planning
Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and ObscureHarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Copyright © 2008 Larry SmithAll right reserved.
ISBN: 9780061374050
Chapter One
After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.
—Robin Templeton
Seventy years, few tears, hairy ears.
—Bill Querengesser
Watching quietly from every door frame.
—Nicole Resseguie
Catholic school backfired. Sin is in!
—Nikki Beland
Savior complex makes for many disappointments.
—Alanna Schubach
Nobody cared, then they did. Why?
—Chuck Klosterman
Some cross-eyed kid, forgotten then found.
—Diana Welch
She said she was negative. Damn.
—Ryan McRae
Born in the desert, still thirsty.
—Georgene Nunn
A sake mom, not soccer mom.
—Shawna Hausman
I asked. They answered. I wrote.
—Sebastian Junger
No future, no past. Not lost.
—Matt Brensilver
Extremely responsible, secretly longed for spontaneity.
—Sabra Jennings
Joined Army. Came out. Got booted.
—Johan Baumeister
Continues...
More From Arts & Life
Comments
You must be signed in to leave a comment. Sign In / Register
Please keep your community civil. All comments must follow the NPR.org Community rules and Terms of Use. NPR reserves the right to use the comments we receive, in whole or in part, and to use the commenter's name and location, in any medium. See also the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Community FAQ.
