Hey all!

So I was reading an article about the short story that Ernest Hemmingway wrote and called his best work. "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

I read that and instantly could see why he would think it was his best and most effective work. There's a ton of emotion and intensity in those short six words. That got me thinking about something I thought would make a good challenge. So the task put forward for you is to write your own very short story in six words or less.

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with! =)

David L.
Writer's Forum Moderator

Some inspiration:

http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html

Mine:

Unicorn snuck up behind me. Ouch!

A personal essay about what happened this weekend that stars Eloise, my Lhasa Apso:

Eloise lost. Eloise found. Happy tail.

Memorial Haven Mausoleum, closed for remodeling.

Just a little creepy something for Halloween.

Not to be a wet blanket, but I don't think you can really tell a story in six words or less, not even if you are Hemingway. He wrote a very emotionally changed sentence, but not a short story. At least not as I understand the meaning of the words. A story needs a beginning, a middle and and end. He has a terrific beginning or ending there, but not all three elements, and therefore, not a short story.

Dialyn, on the other hand, actually has a story. Way to go.
~jon

Jstro,

Pretty obviously it doesn't meet the criteria for what actually makes a short story, but then again I've never been one for adhering rigidly to technical mechanics of writing. I think that's why these are called quite specifically "Very Short Stories," as if they're an entirely different genre than the standard short story. Pretty much, it challenges you to create as much possible story in one sentence. And it's just a fun exercise in writing. =)

And Dialyn, awesome news that you found your lost dog! =)

Now for my Halloween very short story, a twist on Hemingway's:

Elegant coffin for sale, used once.

David L.

love the idea of 6 word limit...VERY demanding, but what's life without a challenge?  ;-)

Broken heart; given gladly, rescued sadly.

p.s.....

I think the idea behind the ultra minimalist approach is that the reader builds the "story" around the limited input from the author...narrative as dialogue is a bit abstract, but it's more or less a contemporary ideal..but this leads into the "What is art, and where does it happen?" argument that's been raging since before the Impressionists picked up their brushes!

This is more addictive than the Haiku:

Lost father; fresh grave, no flowers.

I think these are fun..there's all that space for the reader to use that is normally taken up by words.

I think these are fun.   Here is one.

I fell off the mountain!  Goodbyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm 100% with jstro.

I can write dozens of emotional sentences, but each on its own won't make a story.

One of the things that helped me with my writing was learning to shorten a story which I have already written and turn it from 2000 words to 1500 and then to 1000 until I reached the 500 line. You'll be amazed to realize how many "weak" and unnecessary words we put into our stories!

Even writing a short story afresh and limiting it to 500 words or less is a good exercise.  Why don't we have a couple of those, with a prompt from the organizers??

Hanna

Oh, yes, something else just popped into my mind:

I was told once that before writing a synopsis for my novel, I should sum up the entire book into one sentence.  It was the worst task I have ever encountered - imagine - condensing 250,000 words into a short sentence! 

Has any of you ever done something similar?

Hanna

PS  I'm still not happy with the sentences I wrote...

When I was in college, I took a creative writing class (the only one I took in college).  I turned in a five page story and the professor complained that it wasn't full developed enough.  So I revised it in to a 30 page story just because I was so annoyed.

It was better the first time around.

Kindergarten sucked. College was better. Beer!

Trying for character development in this one.

Hard to do in six words.

~jon

Mud Pies, For Sale, All Uneaten!

Car sale; lowest bidder wins; divorcee.

You know I always wanted to date Hemingway daughter Muriel. That is not relevant. Just my first thought.
What should I reply to this? Challenge brings on thoughts of bliss. 
Yet, within myself I have fought.. To bring about the perfect thought.
My reply to this shall be:
Oh, wait, I think I got it.. No, That just was not it. A story in only six words. This is harder than I thought. Ok, This is my reply to your challenge.

I struggled with a storm within.

Attached Link: Raven

I'm not sure exactly how I stumbled onto this spot - but then I keep finding different stuff all the time around Renderosity.  Hmmm - 

"Only Six Words?  But I'm Blond!!!!!!!!"

I think we need to change the rules - six words are far to few for someone like me that can talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk - - - 

I cant' even say hello in only six words!!!!  In fact, the 25,000 character limit in the writing gallery is too small for me - I've got some 50K plus ones I'd like to post!!!

Oh well - - 

Love,

Meredith

We never knew what hit us.

Was born, did drugs, died horribly.

Kidneys died. Hubby donated. Let's party!!!!!!

Oh and WiseHanna, maybe try to think of the scentence as Newspaper headlines.
You know the ones:

"Aliens invade New York and steal all the condoms!"
"Elvis stopped Big Foot to ask for directions."
"How a little girl changed the baddies hearts."

Enjoy.
Jenny

The road lay weak and twisted...

Fun one!

Can each submission build on the last?  ehehe

Sword pulled, Arthur crowned, Avalon slumbering.

Catholic priest, too "friendly", agression followed

Dirk

Rough play. Oops. Run for cover!

Another twisted event behind closed doors

More drugs, less life, nightmares abound.

Dirk

So I went around the corner, and there it was!

Kids ignored, gun culture, Columbine High.

Ritalin culture screams whats in it for me! 

I've given my children instructions for my headstone,

Off on her next great adventure!

I work in a program for juvenile fire setters

Flame of wonder, awe. Ouch! Devastation!

Attached Link: http://www.es3d.com

I looked, I felt, I grew stronger

Hey all, I'm new to the writer's gallery so be easy on me...Six words, eh?  Well, here is some I can think of:

1)  But honey, I've changed!!
2)  You can't catch me!
3)  An honest politician speaks.
4)  The blood stain won't come off.

Welcome aboard Kaleign! 

The sounds were unbearably loud

Hey why not give the Poetry in Motion section a go! 

I just might do that...thanks!

Norton missed one.

Sally had no clue

Breath held, standing tiptoe, she peeked.

After this mornings meeting, no body expected what was to come next.

After her funeral, her phone rang.

Before I knew what what happening, I was asked to leave......

Open up!  This is the police!

Everyone ran for cover except for Phil.. 

The drunken man's using a chainsaw.

The sounds were unbearable, they continued to run...

One-way streets can be dangerous..

The jaywalker never saw what hit him..

"I pronounce you husband and husband."