Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn.")
and is said to have called it his best work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers
from the realms of books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves.
Failed SAT. Lost scholarship. Invented rocket.
- William Shatner
Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer?
- Eileen Gunn
Vacuum collision. Orbits diverge. Farewell, love.
- David Brin
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon
Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.
- Stan Lee
Machine. Unexpectedly, I’d invented a time
- Alan Moore
TIME MACHINE REACHES FUTURE!!! … nobody there …
- Harry Harrison
Tick tock tick tock tick tick.
- Neal Stephenson
“I couldn’t believe she’d shoot me.”
- Howard Chaykin
Don’t marry her. Buy a house.
- Stephen R. Donaldson
Epitaph: Foolish humans, never escaped Earth.
- Vernor Vinge
It cost too much, staying human.
- Bruce Sterling
We kissed. She melted. Mop please!
- James Patrick Kelly
It’s behind you! Hurry before it
- Rockne S. O’Bannon
I’m your future, child. Don’t cry.
- Stephen Baxter
1940: Young Hitler! Such a cantor!
- Michael Moorcock
Lie detector eyeglasses perfected: Civilization collapses.
- Richard Powers
I’m dead. I’ve missed you. Kiss … ?
- Neil Gaiman
The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.
- Orson Scott Card
Kirby had never eaten toes before.
- Kevin Smith
Rained, rained, rained, and never stopped.
- Howard Waldrop
To save humankind he died again.
- Ben Bova
We went solar; sun went nova.
- Ken MacLeod
From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings.
- Gregory Maguire
Internet “wakes up?” Ridicu no carrier.
- Charles Stross
With bloody hands, I say good-bye.
- Frank Miller
Wasted day. Wasted life. Dessert, please.
- Steven Meretzky
Written by Mrs. Arzberger’s Fantabulous Writers!
If mom says no, ask grandma. –Olivia Moody
I stand up for myself. Pride. –Olivia Moody
Filling a bucket fills my own. –Olivia Moody
It’s all about trying your best! –Olivia Moody
Please, no pictures! Maybe just one! –Olivia Moody
World of peace! Bring troops home! –Olivia Moody
Princess Parking: Others will be towed. –Olivia Moody
When all else fails, eat dessert. –Mrs. Azrberger
Tired. Nap needed now. Zzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. –Mrs. Arzberger
My principal said, “Well maintained army.” -Mrs. Arzberger
“Must eat cake…yummy, delicious cake.” -Mrs. Arzberger
Dessert please. What? No dessert tonight. –Sammie Trier
OMG! Never had fried ice cream! –Sammie Trier and Mrs. Arzberger
4th grade girls: Giddy. Boy crazy. -Mrs. Arzberger
Filling a bucket fills my own. -Livi Moody
Mapquest; 2.79 miles, much closer in heart. –Ms. Duncan
Write a Six-Word Memoir
Proposed by the online storytelling magazine, SMITH, writing a six-word memoir
is a creative challenge for you to try, or assign to your students:
"Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a
story in six words. The result was "For sale: baby shoes, never used."
Since SMITH celebrates the personal side of storytelling, our twist on this
classic concept is the six-word memoir--the short, short true story of your
life.
It could be the title of your autobiography, or maybe your epitaph. Shorter
than haiku and meatier that a one-liner, it truly makes you take stock of
who you are. Try it." http://smithmag.net/sixwords/
Name ___________________ # ____