In 2006, the online magazine SMITH, inspired by Ernest Hemingway's short story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn," challenged its readers to tell their life story in six words. The result was last year's New York Times bestselling book Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.
Their new compilation, Six Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak goes on sale today and includes, as the first book did, some really great, concise stories, this time all about love. And at $10, it's not much more than the price of a Valentine's card, and definitely less expensive than flowers (and won't wilt). View a selection of the memoirs in the below video. My faves?
"Married by Elvis. Divorced by Friday." - G.M. Rouse
"Bachelor Visits Library. Books Wife (nonfiction)." - Michael Perry
"What once were two, are one." - George Saunders
"I thought we had more time." - Dani Shapiro
You can submit your own six-word memoir from now until Feb 1 for a chance to be published in the sequel to Not Quite What I Was Planning. Submit here. It is really fun to try to edit your life down to six words. I'm sitting here trying to write my six word love memoir now....how's this:
"English major seeks trainer, finds love." - Book Club Girl
What's yours?
That's too funny and what a creative idea! I've got to think about that one.
Posted by: Bonnie | January 06, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Wow what a cute little book...sounds like a fun read!
Posted by: Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) | January 06, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Country girl marries city boy. He moved me.
Posted by: Lindsay Benson | January 06, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Midget Nudist Drives Me to Love.
or
Living the "Green Arces" sitcom 24/7.
Thanks for sharing!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Darby Lohrding | January 06, 2009 at 04:49 PM
awarded you with the BUTTERFLY AWARD. =)
Posted by: carmen alexis | January 06, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Met and married in two months.
(Backstory: I was 19, he was 21. That was in 1993. Five kids and more than 15 years later, I'd say it was a pretty good gamble!)
Posted by: stacey @ book:thirty | January 06, 2009 at 10:25 PM
My love story in 6 words? How about: "Still in progress. Check back later"?
Posted by: Julie E. | January 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM
"He filled my empty soul again."
Posted by: Kristy | January 07, 2009 at 08:59 PM
"Yankees boy catches Red Sox Girl"
I enjoyed the first compilation; I didn't realize that another book was coming out ... thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Dawn - She Is Too Fond Of Books | January 08, 2009 at 11:15 AM
these are all great, thanks for sharing them! I am a Yankee girl from a Red Sox home, so I particularly love yours Dawn!
Posted by: BookClubGirl | January 10, 2009 at 09:51 AM
I haven't written mine yet but I have written a page about this page which you can visit at http://www.squidoo.com/six-word-memoirs-on-love-and-heartbreak. It is my anniversary tomorrow so I should get to work and come up with one!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | January 13, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Sorry, that link is not working. The link should be the same however without the period: http://www.squidoo.com/six-word-memoirs-on-love-and-heartbreak
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | January 13, 2009 at 01:51 PM
i would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was strained and the sofa faded.
i would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
i would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
Posted by: jordan 2 | November 03, 2010 at 03:47 AM
Life is just a series of trying to make up your mind.
Posted by: air jordan shoes | November 04, 2010 at 02:32 AM