Six word stories can say lots.
Sometimes when I go out and talk about the ideas in AWNM, I have time do some exercises with the audience. And one of my new favorites is the six-word memoir,which helps demonstrate and hone the power of story. The idea comes from the endlessly entertaining book, Not Quite What I Was Planning
and not write their autobiographies in just six words.
For example, Stephen Colbert’s six-word memoir is “Well, I thought it was funny.” Another: “Found true love, married someone else.” There were several gems ones at the business conference I attended today. Here are a few of my favorites (all penned by people who had about five minutes to think and write.)
* Navy blue is my favorite color. * Did what I was supposed to. * Happy, sad, angry, confident, really happy. * Unsure, but you would never know.
Followed the rules; wish I hadn’t.
The story of my life:
Pink. Yes. Just like the color.
“Buy the ticket. Take the ride”
Reminds me of a photographer who handed blank cards to people of all walks of life, asked them to write whatever they liked on it and shot them holding the card. The results were amazing – funny, sad, brave, poignant – every story was there.
My 6 word memoir: Found a new groove almost everyday.
Living my fourth draft. Revising regularly.
There’s gotta be a better way.
Be. Know. Do. Become. Reflect. Repeat.
Ooh, shiny! Change course. Oops. Shiny!
Hey Dan, thanks for the post!
Hi Mr. Pink,
Recently you commented on my friend and Principal Ray Dewar’s blog. I was thinking what person has to be like when they are creating constantly and still taking the time to connect with people. I am envious. As a high school math teacher I can’t help but admire your work. You create, edit write, and reflect with a huge audience. I feel my calling is writing and dream to accomplish much more. You have given me a role model. I just want you to know what your focusing on grows. My girlfriend told me to write you and I had it in my mind so when you commentted to Ray I had to sent this. Ray shared your book with me in September and my students know all about your work. I will continue to spread the word on how to know and be yourself.
Not exactly six words, I know
Learn everything until heart can’t beat
Deep as Ocean, Shallow as Puddle.
Read lots. Thought lots. Did lots.
Hey, that’s kind of like a fortune cookie! Add “Dan’s Books” at the end, sorta.
Read lots of Dan’s Books (OK, two)
Thought lots about Dan’s Books. (true)
Did lots based on Dan’s books (certainly with A Whole New Mind, and starting with Johnny Bunko)
It doesn’t fit near as well as “in bed” but it’s getting there 🙂
I forgot it was all a dream!
Always wanted to be somewhere else
Six words that reveal one’s self
My mom always knew I was gifted.
Yes, I can make that happen.
Life is what happens
While you’re making other plans.
Or so says my Mom.
I took the HaiKu path Dan
Walked far away,
started over happy
Life is short
Art lives on
To thine own self be true.
As usual, Shakespeare said it best.
Expanding your mind with good books. (more of a job description than a memior)
Living, Learning, and Loving my Life! (now that’s a memior)
Life’s path surprised yet delighted me
Hi,
Just stopped by your blog. Wonderful recommendations on public speaking (I belong to a Toastmasters Club) and on books (going to check out those about writing, which is something I’ve been trying to engage on for some years now).
My life in 6 words (so far):
It all happened inside my head.
Congratulations on a great webpage. Please carry on (for the sake of all of us).
Rough drafts are all I write.
Roads less traveled are my highways.
Consistently inconsistent. Yet that is me.
Throw ideas to see what sticks
Full of big ideas lacking attention.
I’m making each day a masterpiece!
When is now a good time?
Searching for balance and overdoing it.
Oops! I lost count.
Forever exploring, experimenting to become me.
So much more than I expected 🙂
We laugh. We will make it.
Seize the what? Oh, too late…
How much can I fit in?
To my own self was true
Shakespeare revisited…
Mom wanted me to be “normal.”
Remained curious with around next corner.
Extremely moderate, unless cookies are involved.
I grew up, then became young.
Egad! Mom and Dad were right.
Variety. Continuity. Preservering to the end.
Me = Family, friends, cooking, reading, gardening, walks = happiness
Did the right thing. Was wrong.
The way I always live life:
Random is the way to be.
I think Van Morrison put it best…
No guru, no method, no teacher
Peace drives my mind to success.
when scribbling, take lines in stride.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Made love to my life, briefly.
Don’t put forks in the toaster
Would do it again, the same!
Ran from danger,lived free since!
Ancora Imparo: I am still learning
-Michelangelo, 1562. And yet it fits me today. Huh.
Home was where I found myself.
Wherever I found myself was home.
another day, another $0.50 at mcdonalds
Work, sleep, happy. Work, sleep, happy 🙁
i have lived for other people.
spent too much time inside myself.
One heart that loves like three.
my best freind is my cat.
Borne, lived, been loved, died, forgotten
This is Larry Smith (“Big, hair, big heart, big hurry”), from SMITH Magazine, the folks behind the six-word memoir craze. If anyone wants to post any theirs from here, or new six worders, at sixwordmemoirs.com, you’d be considered for one of our future books. Hope you come check us out – thanks. -Larry
Surrounded by smart and supportive people.
My mom said I was cool
Why is life always so hard?
I wish I was someone else.
I just want to be liked.
Time to start living my life.
Yes I have two first names.
I love the six-word memoir idea. In fact, I was just writing a blog post for our A WHOLE NEW MIND book study blog using the concept of six-word memoirs as an activity for the “Story” section. 🙂
Keep on searching, don’t sell out.
Teachers: Challenge your students to write Six-Word Book Reports! To do so requires a great depth of thinking and the ability to synthesize. A fourth grade class I work with has recently written their Six-Word reports and they are incredible!
Was kind, to herself and others.
Happy-go-lucky; now sometimes lucky, somewhat happy
Tested my way through life, ahh!
Am I free to go home?
Why me… why not… why ask?
I will always be a student.
do. be. do. be. do. die.
(frankly, not even a frank fan)
30 years; 8th grade; explains much!
Be happy with what you have.
Thats my memoir! 😀
Smile more, life isn’t that bad.
Blue uniform, at attention; My Marine.
In a world of make believe.
Never stopped trying, never stopped living.
Love ends in depression…depression sucks.
On rollercoaster. Which one? My life.
2 am still up mountain dew
friend, lover, ex. been all three
friends hurt more than enemies
I will do it by Monday! 😉
Sharing kindness, sharing money-give life.
Accept, be blessed; appreciate, blessed more.
(Left-handed people can rule the world too 🙂
I thought it was turned off
Tough gets going, going gets tough
🙂
Education reform: Stop testing. Start teaching.
I’m indecisive. Really, Or am I?
Can you count up to six?
Save trees. No homework please.
That’s impossible! Wait…there it is.
Always looked on the bright side
Living, Laughing, Learning; A Blessed Life
I don’t color in the lines
…Six, Five, Four, Three, Two,…Won.
Fifteen Years Young, Story Still Untold
sticks and stone hurt the outside
still becoming who I was before
A in doodling, C in algebra.
milk plus new car equals bad
never ride scooter in pouring rain
Really should be doing homework now
ADHD forgot to take ADHD meds.
homework homework homework whole entire life
So mad. Wait is that cookie?
I’m more than just a pretty package.
Living my life out loud daily.
Still learning…everyday is an adventure.
Curiosity made a very interesting cat.
I should have been Audrey Hepburn
The motto of the City of Paris:
Fluctuat Nec Mergitur
In Latin it’s three words, in English it’s six:
Tossed by waves, she swims on.
Never exactly as planned. Sometimes better.
The mess you’ve put yourself in.
Lock without key. Broken, now free.
Six words. Always a different story.
I want my best friend back.
For Sale: Girl with broken heart.
Love what I’m doing right now!
You forget something new every day!
Full steam ahead, constantly looking back!
Full of inspiration, lack of motivation.
Hmm can’t choose
House engulfed in flames, Made Lemonade
Rock. Paper. Scissors. And sex.
Laughed much. Loved much. Grateful always.
I’m happy. Who’s perfect now mom?
A mix of sidelines and spotlights
Finally listening to myself. Loving life.
Late bloomer, proud to be independent.
Met a girl at a bar.
Perhaps the most often quoted example comes from Hemingway:
“For sale: baby shoes, never used.”
2 roads, which one to take?
Curiosity killed cat, works for me.
Great potential is a curse.
H-O-L-Z, No T
found true me in my forties
Talk less – Listen more. Attention. Understanding.
Worried too much what others thought.
Tossed by waves, she sails on.
Knocked down, back up, sail on.
Life is a challenge, take it
dream big, when things dont happen
My Life is full of possibilities
Dream Big, whenever you can,can’t!
Never think small, It costs future
Things happen, you can’t help it
I’m heard, thanks to the Internet
Only one time around. Think big.
Be curious, be honest, be happy!
Easy lessons learned the hard way!
His acute rage; His personal Kryptonite
I could’ve done it in five.
Who said tan lines were ugly? 🙂
This is really funny and true.
I’d rather be on the field.
Smile even with out the camera.
It was all just a dream.
Smile more, life will get better.
Mom memories are my most precious.
Thanks Dan :).
My 6 word memoir: found true meaning, constantly searching it.
Went for it, braving the mistakes.
Love is like…
Bars and chains
Thought it should have been – Me
1. There was a cow, he died.
2. Worked hard, got tired, slept well.
3. Got Halloween candy, Mom ate it.
Very little worth worying about.
That’s five dude get it right!
found other lost self alone now
Catch and release – what’s the point?
Moved to New Orleans, never left.
Never trusted men. Learned to love.
Depression consumed me. Not any more.
Outside the box, inside the chimney
Its never going to be enough.
I must have misplaced my head.
Sometimes im happy, but mostly not.
Life goes fast, eat dessert first
Smothered in love. Never happy though…
There’s my car rolling away…CRAP!
Remove wrapper from Poptart before Microwaving.
Its too risky, to be safe
Might seem happy
…
but really
Broken
Baby boomer, longing for second boom.
The open door is behind you.
MIMic great thought leaders for success.
The vision for my life….
Model Excellence: Collaborate, Serve, Inspire Others.
I knew I wasn’t the one </3
“I told you I was ill” (Spike Milligan’s epitaph)
I will not let them win
bacon bacon bacon unicorns bacon bacon
New girls doll, still in packaging.
Recognized the writer runs the show.
Hangovers, Hedonism and a little Happiness
When in doubt smile lifes short.
Where the water is deeper, jump.
Lost and found: bunch of friends.
I’m happy and I know it.
Risked everything and lived my dream.
I wrote two:
Wept bitterly, welcomed the questions, dreamt
Slowed down, loved a good man
The world is amazing – look around!
thought I couldn’t but I can
Found someone…
But lost myself
Big veggi meatball, pig feels offended
Steam rises as heavy rains fall.
Finding the music in me
Find a star, make a wish
I walked in the opposite direction
Two paths. One crowded. I’m alone.
My life isn’t black and white.
Said I couldn’t, proved myself wrong
My choice, my story, my life
Woman without her man is nothing
I’ve learned to laugh out loud.
he did’t ask just took it.
work hard, good things will come
ate turkey,gave praise to God
Half-way between my dreams and reality
the best is yet to come
Six word stories are cool procrastination.
I write better when I’m mourning.
For sale, Baby shoes, Never worn.
Walk with purpose; head on swivel.
I am learning all the time.