midrael opened this issue on Oct 27, 2006 · 75 posts
midrael posted Fri, 27 October 2006 at 7:29 PM
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
dialyn posted Fri, 27 October 2006 at 7:49 PM
Some inspiration:
http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html
Mine:
Unicorn snuck up behind me. Ouch!
dialyn posted Sun, 29 October 2006 at 10:25 AM
A personal essay about what happened this weekend that stars Eloise, my Lhasa Apso:
Eloise lost. Eloise found. Happy tail.
jstro posted Sun, 29 October 2006 at 7:41 PM
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
~jon
My Blog - Mad
Utopia Writing in a new era.
midrael posted Tue, 31 October 2006 at 11:16 AM
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! =)
Elegant coffin for sale, used once.
David L.
abmcwilliams posted Tue, 31 October 2006 at 2:51 PM
love the idea of 6 word limit...VERY demanding, but what's life without a challenge? ;-)
Broken heart; given gladly, rescued sadly.
abmcwilliams posted Tue, 31 October 2006 at 2:55 PM
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!
abmcwilliams posted Tue, 31 October 2006 at 3:16 PM
This is more addictive than the Haiku:
Lost father; fresh grave, no flowers.
dialyn posted Tue, 31 October 2006 at 7:30 PM
I think these are fun..there's all that space for the reader to use that is normally taken up by words.
MicahBlade posted Wed, 01 November 2006 at 9:29 AM
I think these are fun. Here is one.
I fell off the mountain! Goodbyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
WiseHanna posted Mon, 06 November 2006 at 7:15 AM
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
WiseHanna posted Mon, 06 November 2006 at 8:12 AM
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...
dialyn posted Mon, 06 November 2006 at 7:51 PM
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.
jstro posted Mon, 06 November 2006 at 8:03 PM
Kindergarten sucked. College was better. Beer!
Trying for character development in this one. 
Hard to do in six words.
~jon
~jon
My Blog - Mad
Utopia Writing in a new era.
keenart posted Sat, 11 November 2006 at 11:28 AM
Mud Pies, For Sale, All Uneaten!
SusiQ posted Mon, 13 November 2006 at 5:02 AM
Car sale; lowest bidder wins; divorcee.
Copyright S.R. Hulley
Chin up, stay strong! Hugs!
awayne2 posted Thu, 30 November 2006 at 12:18 PM
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.
knowinggodaspapa posted Thu, 21 December 2006 at 4:01 AM
Attached Link: Raven
Applauding mirrors marvel imitations, kissing nightmares.
MeredithWilson posted Sun, 31 December 2006 at 5:55 AM
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
SueKlaus posted Wed, 03 January 2007 at 9:38 PM
We never knew what hit us.
SusiQ posted Mon, 08 January 2007 at 6:55 AM
Was born, did drugs, died horribly.
Copyright S.R. Hulley
Chin up, stay strong! Hugs!
Boofy posted Tue, 09 January 2007 at 10:22 PM
Kidneys died. Hubby donated. Let's party!!!!!!
Boofy posted Tue, 09 January 2007 at 10:28 PM
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
Dinhi posted Sun, 14 January 2007 at 10:23 AM
The road lay weak and twisted...
Fun one! 
Can each submission build on the last? ehehe
Namaste...it's universal [ =
deemarie posted Tue, 23 January 2007 at 6:43 AM
Sword pulled, Arthur crowned, Avalon slumbering.
D.C.Monteny posted Thu, 25 January 2007 at 8:49 PM
Catholic priest, too "friendly", agression followed
Dirk
Boofy posted Fri, 26 January 2007 at 4:02 AM
Rough play. Oops. Run for cover!
Dinhi posted Fri, 26 January 2007 at 11:41 AM
Another twisted event behind closed doors
Namaste...it's universal [ =
D.C.Monteny posted Thu, 01 February 2007 at 8:00 PM
More drugs, less life, nightmares abound.
Dirk
Dinhi posted Sat, 03 February 2007 at 9:56 AM
So I went around the corner, and there it was!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
D.C.Monteny posted Sat, 03 February 2007 at 6:59 PM
Kids ignored, gun culture, Columbine High.
Dinhi posted Sat, 03 February 2007 at 7:23 PM
Ritalin culture screams whats in it for me!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Fri, 02 March 2007 at 6:03 PM
I've given my children instructions for my headstone,
Off on her next great adventure!
mamabobbijo posted Fri, 02 March 2007 at 6:05 PM
I work in a program for juvenile fire setters
Flame of wonder, awe. Ouch! Devastation!
alphauser51 posted Sat, 03 March 2007 at 8:54 AM
Attached Link: http://www.es3d.com
I came, I saw, went home
Dinhi posted Thu, 08 March 2007 at 5:56 PM
I looked, I felt, I grew stronger
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Fri, 09 March 2007 at 7:11 AM
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.
Dinhi posted Sat, 10 March 2007 at 10:36 AM
Welcome aboard Kaleign!
The sounds were unbearably loud
Hey why not give the Poetry in Motion section a go!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sat, 10 March 2007 at 10:34 PM
I just might do that...thanks!
Norton missed one.
Dinhi posted Sun, 11 March 2007 at 11:12 AM
Sally had no clue
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Thu, 15 March 2007 at 6:39 AM
Breath held, standing tiptoe, she peeked.
Dinhi posted Thu, 15 March 2007 at 9:56 AM
After this mornings meeting, no body expected what was to come next.
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Thu, 15 March 2007 at 6:59 PM
After her funeral, her phone rang.
Dinhi posted Thu, 15 March 2007 at 9:22 PM
Before I knew what what happening, I was asked to leave......
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Fri, 16 March 2007 at 5:08 AM
Open up! This is the police!
Dinhi posted Fri, 16 March 2007 at 9:47 AM
Everyone ran for cover except for Phil..
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Fri, 16 March 2007 at 3:20 PM
The drunken man's using a chainsaw.
Dinhi posted Fri, 16 March 2007 at 5:29 PM
The sounds were unbearable, they continued to run...
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Fri, 16 March 2007 at 8:06 PM
One-way streets can be dangerous..
Dinhi posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 9:39 AM
The jaywalker never saw what hit him..
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 1:56 PM
"I pronounce you husband and husband."
Dinhi posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 2:26 PM
They wouldn't allow rice at the wedding...
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 5:55 PM
She crept around the corner, terrified.
Dinhi posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 9:28 PM
This couldn't be happening!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 11:33 PM
House for sale; Getting Divorced...
Kaleign posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 11:34 PM
Laptop plugged in; Power Surge!
Kaleign posted Sat, 17 March 2007 at 11:35 PM
Horse throws shoe, farrier gets headache.
Dinhi posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 10:28 AM
Asprin, no longer safe for consumption..
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:09 PM
"It's not loaded," the kid said.
Kaleign posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:11 PM
A bottle of Viagra, never used...
Dinhi posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:13 PM
Got them online, how was I sopposed to know?
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Dinhi posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:14 PM
The small print said: Buyer beware
Namaste...it's universal [ =
Kaleign posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:21 PM
We're sorry, your flight's been cancelled...
We interrupt your regularly scheduled program...
Uncle Vernon had one too many...
"By the way, I want a divorce..."
Kaleign posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:26 PM
The doctor used duct tape.
Tonight's special: Skunk Surprise.
The electrician forgot to unplug it.
My wife used too much starch.
Dinhi posted Sun, 18 March 2007 at 12:45 PM
For a moment the air smelled like apple pie
Life begins after divorce
The glass is half full
I swear if I step on that again I will lose it
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Mon, 19 March 2007 at 5:34 PM
Notme and Idon'tknow, fled the scene!
Dinhi posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 12:24 PM
That was easy!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:29 PM
Saddest short story I've ever seen, on a headstone in a Colorado cemetary.
12 minutes ours Lord, and eternally yours.
Dinhi posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:39 PM
We could see people gathering from our window....
Wow BJ, that is sad...
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:44 PM
It must have been twenty years ago, you can see why it stuck. The ones in an American cemetary in Luxemborg are as poingnant,
Here lies a commrade in arms known but to God
How tragic to lie in a foreign country unnamed, but every year the locals clean the old flowers add new ones and play taps with a twenty-one gun salute.
Dinhi posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:47 PM
We knew that something spectacular was about to happen...
I used to love to walk around very old cemetaries and read the stones.
How wonderful that the local community does such a touching thing!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:52 PM
I love the stones, the stories they can tell, some of them are really funny as well.
Here lies my beloved Gertruda
She guv me 13 younguns in 8 years
she needed the rest
Dinhi posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 1:57 PM
Read em and weep!
hahaha...good find BJ!
Namaste...it's universal [ =
mamabobbijo posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 2:05 PM
Admiring the tenacity with which she clung to life, death smiled as he passed.
Not six words but short.
Dinhi posted Tue, 20 March 2007 at 5:11 PM
Since when was mustard more superior?
Namaste...it's universal [ =