Originating from SMITH magazine (Online)Greater New Orleans Writing Project

2008 Summer Institute

In Six words . . .

Ernest Hemingway’s story:

“For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

In Six words . . .

Divine wisdom

“Savior complex makes for many disappointments.”

In Six words . . .

Individuality

“A sake’ mom, not soccer mom.”

In Six words . . .

Self-awareness:

“I’m my mother and I’m fine.”

In Six words . . .

Symbolism:

“Followed white rabbit. Became black sheep”

In Six words . . .

Pragmatic:

“I grew and grew and grew”

In Six words . . .

Carpe diem:

“Took scenic route, got in late”

In Six words . . .

Technological:

“Blogging is easy. Writing is hard”

In Six words . . .

Wistful:

“I wrote it all down somewhere”

In Six words . . .

For teachers:

“Timid teacher takes ‘tude from tykes”

In Six words . . .

The different drummer:

“I color outside of the lines”

In Six words . . .

Self-awareness:

“Struggling Southern eccentric finding my happiness”

GNOWP memoirsLoudmouthed introvert seeks peace and quiet.Neither a fence-sitter nor a bystander.Cleverness and wit, where art thou?Am I really alone now?The child smiles: the blade retracts.Read between lines. Colored outside them.Met Jack. Jumped out the box.The trick it’s done by—intriguing.Apologies like flying monkeys destroy thoughts.

Six Word Memoirs Continued…There is a PEZ for everyone.Chocolate: a food group, not dessert.Prefers icing over cherry on cake.Nothing beats breaking in new shoes.Smile, nod. Do it my way.Sadness, anxiety: just take a pill.Mirrors see sad reflections almost daily.I dream of her every night.I wear ten year old boots.

Six Word Memoirs Continued…I write fiction to live honestly.Small victories made big: forty-four stairs.Long year made short, June 11. Katrina– she really blew me away.Speed limits– only a strong suggestion.Not afraid of change? Prove it.Leaving, leaving, leaving – where to return?I left last slice of pizza.

More GNOWP memoirsThat’s what sorority sisters are for.Now that I’m thin, you call.Don’t feel like talking; text me.Lost and Found. Love. God. Self.Better sex than with my boyfriend.Truth shall free us. Still waiting.To sow, to reap, my bliss.Bad juju can be overcome! Unless…Whisk ‘til frothy. Garnish. Serve cold.Plummeting into Hell, I discovered myself.

In Six words . . .

New memoirs added every day on the web site:

www.sixwordmemoir.com

More GNOWP memoirs“Wish you were here!” Not really!Fleetingly outside, he thought of me.Miraculously, I blossomed into life, forever.Skirt from Goodwill, shoes from Saks.Know the rules, screw the rules.First concert: David Bowie! Forgot ticketsTechnicolor dreams evolve to faded joysThe boy was good; he badLet’s go, it’s free, why not?

Advanced Institute MemoirsCompulsive list maker, subject to change. Opposites attract in search for balance.NOLA girl reads books, loves cats.Mom of three minus sanity cubed.Carpe Diem-Carpe Noche-Carpe VidaFound husband in world wide webPierced, pink-haired, tattooed normal girlI’m packed in under five minutes!Frustrated grammar teacher: who or whom?Frustrated grammar student: what’s the difference?Caffeine-craving creative teacher cuts crapRead, do, laugh; never grow up

In Six words . . .

Now –

Write your own six word memoir.You don’t have to be clever – just

honest. What quality describes you?An important event in your life?Your dreams, your disappointments?Favorite activities?