The Six-word Memoir

1. The Six-word Memoir Originating from SMITH magazine (Online) Greater New Orleans Writing Project 2008 Summer Institute

2. In Six words . . . Ernest Hemingway’s story: “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

3. In Six words . . . Divine wisdom “Savior complex makes for many disappointments.”

4. In Six words . . . Individuality “A sake’ mom, not soccer mom.”

5. In Six words . . . Self-awareness: “I’m my mother and I’m fine.”

6. In Six words . . . Symbolism: “Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep”

7. In Six words . . . Pragmatic: “I grew and grew and grew”

8. In Six words . . . Carpe diem: “Took scenic route, got in late”

9. In Six words . . . Technological: “Blogging is easy. Writing is hard”

10. In Six words . . . Wistful: “I wrote it all down somewhere”

11. In Six words . . . For teachers: “Timid teacher takes ‘tude from tykes”

12. In Six words . . . The different drummer: “I color outside of the lines”

13. In Six words . . . Self-awareness: “Struggling Southern eccentric finding my happiness”

14. GNOWP memoirs • Loudmouthed introvert seeks peace and quiet. • Neither a fence-sitter nor a bystander. • Cleverness and wit, where art thou? • Am I really alone now? • The child smiles: the blade retracts. • Read between lines. Colored outside them. • Met Jack. Jumped out the box. • The trick it’s done by—intriguing. • Apologies like flying monkeys destroy thoughts.

15. Six Word Memoirs Continued… • There is a PEZ for everyone. • Chocolate: a food group, not dessert. • Prefers icing over cherry on cake. • Nothing beats breaking in new shoes. • Smile, nod. Do it my way. • Sadness, anxiety: just take a pill. • Mirrors see sad reflections almost daily. • I dream of her every night. • I wear ten year old boots.

16. Six Word Memoirs Continued… • I write fiction to live honestly. • Small victories made big: forty-four stairs. • Long year made short, June 11. • Katrina– she really blew me away. • Speed limits– only a strong suggestion. • Not afraid of change? Prove it. • Leaving, leaving, leaving – where to return? • I left last slice of pizza.

17. More GNOWP memoirs • That’s what sorority sisters are for. • Now that I’m thin, you call. • Don’t feel like talking; text me. • Lost and Found. Love. God. Self. • Better sex than with my boyfriend. • Truth shall free us. Still waiting. • To sow, to reap, my bliss. • Bad juju can be overcome! Unless… • Whisk ‘til frothy. Garnish. Serve cold. • Plummeting into Hell, I discovered myself.

18. In Six words . . . New memoirs added every day on the web site: www.sixwordmemoir.com

19. More GNOWP memoirs • “Wish you were here!” Not really! • Fleetingly outside, he thought of me. • Miraculously, I blossomed into life, forever. • Skirt from Goodwill, shoes from Saks. • Know the rules, screw the rules. • First concert: David Bowie! Forgot tickets • Technicolor dreams evolve to faded joys • The boy was good; he bad • Let’s go, it’s free, why not?

20. Advanced Institute Memoirs • Compulsive list maker, subject to change. • Opposites attract in search for balance. • NOLA girl reads books, loves cats. • Mom of three minus sanity cubed. • Carpe Diem-Carpe Noche-Carpe Vida • Found husband in world wide web • Pierced, pink-haired, tattooed normal girl • I’m packed in under five minutes! • Frustrated grammar teacher: who or whom? • Frustrated grammar student: what’s the difference? • Caffeine-craving creative teacher cuts crap • Read, do, laugh; never grow up

21. In Six words . . . Now – Write your own six word memoir. • You don’t have to be clever – just honest. • What quality describes you? • An important event in your life? • Your dreams, your disappointments? • Favorite activities?