I recently picked up a book called Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs. It is a compilation of memoirs by “famous and obscure writers” containing only six words. With the memoir genre becoming a very popular way of writing, this book challenges writers to keep it short and sweet; sum up your life in six words, no more, no less. So I decided to take a stab at it. Here are some I came up with. Then you can try!
I couldn’t help myself and use some song lyrics and lines from movies. Sometimes what you are thinking and feeling has already been said so eloquently by someone else. Here it goes:
*Under construction. Beware. Speed bumps ahead.
*I have more books than clothes.
*How you doin’? Hangin’ in there. (That’s a Tommy original)
*There is no place like home. (Thanks Dorothy)
*Two bike accidents. Three knee surgeries.
*I’m an accident waiting to happen.
*Dancing alone in front of mirror.
*A horse of a different color. (Another Wizard of Oz reference)
*Strong enough to be my man? (Thanks Sheryl)
*Day day has a boo boo. (That one is actually from my niece Leah).
*Trying not to be my parents. (I love you mom and dad!!!)
*I should win an Academy Award.
*So easy solving other people’s problems.
*I am going back to bed.
*Can’t always get what you want. (stole that one from the Rolling Stones)
*Optimistic pessimist. Introverted extrovert. Realistic extremist.
*Hate feeling low. Love feeling high. (on life, not drugs!)
*Unconditional love always comes from mom.
*I am my own worst enemy.
*Teaching pays bills. Writing sparks passion.
*Work in progress. Please stay tuned.
If it were eight-word memoirs, I would have to add this comment from some men who really have a way with words.
*Never trust a big butt and a smile. -Bel Biv Devoe
Truer words have not been spoken.
Now it is your turn. Please send me your take on six-word memoirs. Can’t wait to hear from you!
6 Comments
October 13, 2008 at 9:46 pm
(SPINELLI ORIGINAL KINDA SORTA)
STOP THINKING SO MUCH SILLY HEAD
October 13, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Thanks for the assignment…haven’t had homework in a while, and this was fun!!
*Good things come in small packages.
(Total cliche, motivational words from Gypsy)
*Making shit up as I go.
(What’s really happening)
*Want to have Derek Jeter’s lovechild.
(In a perfect world)
October 14, 2008 at 12:32 am
Love this one!
“Optimistic pessimist. Introverted extrovert. Realistic extremist.”
Is than an original? If so, please submit it at smithmag.net/sixwords, and I’ll consider it for the next book.
Thanks!
-Rachel, co-editor of NQWIWP
October 14, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Birth, life, death – it all happened.
(a Jessica Weitzman original)
“A backward poet writes in verse.”
October 16, 2008 at 3:58 am
I like this!
“No matter who may come along.”
“All the faces that I make.”
“Back and forth, all my love.”
“Well, you aint felt nothing yet”
October 21, 2008 at 11:01 pm
D with a Y, the blog is really impressive. It’s definitely evident how much of a passion you have for writing. I’ll be sure to include this as a stop in my perusing of the Interwebs from time to time.
Some 6 Worders I thought of:
Not where but who you’re with (Thanks Dave, and contractions)
In three words: Sumo, Business, War (Thanks Memoirs of a Geisha)
Piso Mojado. Wet floor in Spanish
I love my new Google phone.
-Bar Crawl Buddy Brad