Saturday 7 March 2015

Six word stories


Last night I woke up from a terrible nightmare. To get those awful images out of my head I reached for my phone and scrolled through Instagram. Those colourful little squares never fail to cheer me up, and they didn't disappoint.
I came across "six word stories". Not knowing what it is, I did a quick google-search, and low and behold, it's a huge movement! There is the website Six Word Stories where you can submit your own story. Apparently it was inspired by none other than Ernest Hemingway, whose first six-word story was this:
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." 
Heartbreaking, isn't it?

If you didn't believe you can tell a story with only six words, you are not alone.
I was skeptical too, but got sucked into the beauty of brevity right away.
The stories range from sweet to haunting, and really do tell a story. More than anything that proves to me: you don't need the background noise of mindless chatter. Cut away the fat, remove all those filler words and disclaimers, and you can get your message across in six words.

Here is just a tiny selection of stories that moved me. For more, you can check out TwitterSix Word Stories, or the hashtag #sixwordstory on Instagram.

Found true love. Married someone else.
Facebook ruined my entire life. 
Nixon childhood, Reagan teenager, hope finally. 
"Joining the President is his husband..."
"Wrong number", says a familiar voice. 
Born a twin; graduated only child.
My family tree has broken branches.
"I'll be back tomorrow." Years ago.
Brought roses home. Keys didn't fit.
"Passengers, this isn't your captain speaking."
I met my soulmate. She didn't. 

And here is mine:
She never belonged.
Until she did.

I challenge you: write your own six-word story! And then share it with me in the comments.





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16 comments

  1. I love this idea!!! I wonder if I'm any good...
    "A chick hatched. Its sister sizzled."
    "The plane took off. Never landed."
    "One heartbeat started. One heartbeat stopped."
    "Looked in mirror. Not my reflection."
    And my favorite:
    "Miriam sat. Miriam Wrote. Miriam Inspired."
    <3 <3 ~ Samantha

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  2. I saw this in a magazine one and loved the simplicity of the idea. Yours is a lot happier than the other ones you copied here :)

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  3. Love this idea Miriam!!

    I'll give it a go:

    Sun kissed skin. Lips never kissed.

    -Linds

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  4. Yes, most of them were pretty sad or tragic. It's amazing how much of a story can be told by using only 6 words! I've been making them up ever since I learnt about it.

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  5. By golly, you are fantastic at this! (Also, I can't believe I just said 'by golly'). That first one is macabre, but hilarious! Love it.
    The last one made me blush - you are too nice! Thanks Samantha :-)

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  6. Here's what I wonder about Hemingway's 6-word story: aren't ALL baby shoes sold never worn? If this was a craigslist ad, then it would be sad. Or would it? Or is the story that there is simply a life about to begin and it could be told in a million different ways when all is said and done? But this is why I like 6-word stories, they are thought-provoking. :)

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  7. So much emotion in six words! I'm drawing a creativity blank right now, but I'll think on it and get back to you with a story. :)

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  8. Yes, please do! They are a lot of fun. Here's today in six words: Bad start, mediocre middle, better ending.

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  9. Oh, they are! It didn't even occur to me to think in terms of normal merchandise, I straight away assumed the worst. How we interpret them says a lot about us! I guess you've bought a lot of unworn baby shoes lately, and there's absolutely nothing sad about that!!

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  10. I know, right? I spent an hour reading through them the other night, it's addictive.

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  11. I blogged about this once. Mine would be: she never regretted a single calorie 😀

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  12. This is so cool! I've never heard of 6 word stories before. Yours is great!!
    The long road ended too short.

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  13. YES!! That one is awesome.

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  14. Excellent!!
    Composing them is great fun, and it's addictive!

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