My Six Words
Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway once wrote six words that he considered his best work:
"For Sale: Baby Shoes - never used."
Whether true or not, it inspired my own original six words. I found a website, www.SixWordMemoir.com where I submit them. I've also put them below for your purusal.
If you just want to see my six-word memoirs, click here. I'm going to try to submit a new one everyday...at least for a while.
Update: SMITH Magazine began a Contest for writing Six Words on the Digital Life. You can go to My Six Words on the Digital Life. to see my submissions.
Update: I think that I'm going to suspend my six words a day during the month of November for National Novel Writing Month. I'm not positive yet, but it's a bit of a distraction from the writing. Stay tuned. Maybe not.
Update: It's official. I will NOT be posting six words during November. It's the National Novel Writing Month and I have a 50,000 word novel to write. I might do a few Six Word Memoirs, but generally not. Check back in December for my six words a day.
2010
2009
Note: Ernest Hemingway was not injured during the making of these six words.
2010
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 Sometimes you just need something purple. Happy birthday to Bren and Sheryl. (Bonus Six) |
2 Trying to find my skinny self. |
3 Should've waited. Now I'll never know. |
4 I need to get on Facebook. |
5 I took those trees for oak. |
6 I can do without her drama. |
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| 7 If I could change one thing... |
8 My one-year anniversary for Six Words. |
9 "You're a parrot." "You're a parrot." |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
| 14 |
15 |
16 |
17 St. Patrick's Day |
18 |
19 |
20 |
| 21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
| 28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 I have had a wonderful day. |
2 Groundhog Day Sarah Palin; she was so 2008. Did the groundhog see his shadow? (Bonus Six) |
3 We just went for the absinthe. |
4 Just finished my defensive skiing course. |
5 Today was my for-real last day. |
6 It's not antique. It's just old. |
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| 7 Superbowl Sunday All my friends are going home. Two teams enter. I team leaves. (Bonus Six) |
8 What an outstanding victory last night. |
9 I work so I can play. |
10 I need to find my way. |
11 Thursday means vacation is almost over. Wanna ride in my Leer Jet? (through Twitter for Best 6 Word Pickup Line Contest) I remember Jolly Ranchers in Zima. (To sixwordstories via Twitter) |
12 Lincoln's Birthday Word encountered a problem. Go figure. Happy birthday to Mr. Abraham Lincoln. (Bonus Six) |
13 Should've known. It sounded too good. |
| 14 Valentine's Day Roses cannot express my wonderful life. Wishing all a happy Valentine's Day. (Bonus Six) |
15 Presidents' Day Don't wait. Don't hesitate. Get lost. |
16 Today's Fat Tuesday. I'm fat too. Wish I was on 6th Street. (Bonus Six) — This one was highlighted on the main page |
17 It's a "Ground Hog Day Wine." |
18 The Winter Olympics. Now that's reality. |
19 We will always love you Carrie. |
20 I don't like going to funerals. |
| 21 Lucky is finding pistachios without shells. |
22 Why did it have to happen? |
23 Still submitting stories. Still collecting rejections. |
24 It finally snowed in Austin, Texas. |
25 Got new dog. Can't find cat. |
26 Where did I leave my martini? Wishing happy birthday to my dad. |
27 They serve beer in Mason jars. |
| 28 Wishing the lottery would pick me. |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 New Year's Day Coffee good. Headache bad. Enough said. Wishing happy New Year to everyone! (Bonus Six) |
2 Feels like Sunday. Glad it's Saturday. |
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| 3 I have to work tomorrow. Bummer. |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 You just make me want you! |
| 10 Goosebumps on top of my toes. |
11 I'm hoping for good things tomorrow. |
12 Today could not have been better. |
13 Trying not to be too excited. |
14 Today was both great and small. |
15 It has been a long week. |
16 Installing Windows 7 on my computer. |
| 17 Heads and tires are both bald. |
18 MLK Day Eighteen days into 2010. Still here. Wishing everyone a proud MLK Day! (Bonus Six) |
19 Just live to love another day. |
20 Wow. A bad day on steroids. |
21 Her horns hold up her halo. |
22 Woke up in a strange place. |
23 It's already been a great day! |
| 24 Internet brides; the new mail order. |
25 She pukes in her food bowl. |
26 Just the demons in my head. |
27 I'm trying to contain my excitement! |
28 How could I improve upon it? |
29 Friday finally got here. Now what? |
30 I could kill myself loving her. |
| 31 This is me voicing my displeasure. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
2009
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 She put gravy on my ham. |
2 NaNoWriMo's over, but I'm still writing. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
3 Work came too early this morning. |
4 |
5 Sometimes my daughter doesn't get it. |
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| 6 Dying, one work-week at a time. |
7 Moment of silence for Pearl Harbor. |
8 I'm already in holiday work mode. |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 Six words? What can I say? |
| 13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
| 20 |
21 |
22 Doesn't feel like Christmas vacation yet. |
23 No motivation to go Christmas shopping. |
24 All out of olives and vermouth. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas Eve. (Bonus Six) |
25 Christmas Opening presents means less than family. Happy holidays to one and all! (Bonus Six) |
26 Managed to lose weight over Christmas. |
| 27 Wow! Christmas vacation goes by fast! |
28 |
29 Not out of leftover turkey...yet. |
30 |
31 New Year's Eve |
Note: November is National Novel Writing Month. I will be working on my novel this month and my six words may not be as consistent as usual.
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| 8 |
9 |
10 |
11 Happy Veteran's Day to all vets. |
12 |
13 It was funny before the chainsaw. |
14 I'm surrounded by people of Wal-Mart! |
| 15 We could over-indulge ourselves to death. |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
| 22 |
23 |
24 |
25 It grew back with a vengeance. |
26 Thanksgiving Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. |
27 Sitting at home. Missing the sales. Visited by ghost of Thanksgiving past. (Bonus Six) |
28 |
| 29 Our long weekend is almost over. |
30 Stone's throw away. Can't say hi. |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 She doesn't know I'm in love. |
2 Working to free the inner me. |
3 The past helps define our future. |
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| 4 I like to think I'm clever. |
5 It hurt when he hit me. |
6 Call? Why would I do that? |
7 She's not the same little girl. |
8 Work sucks. Work sucks. Work sucks. |
9 So much of life slips away. |
10 We both kept up the charade. |
| 11 Ugly people sometimes have cute kids. |
12 That might be what you think. Happy birthday to my son, Xavier. (Bonus Six) |
13 My wife always makes me smile. |
14 Wanting to write some dark poetry. |
15 The sun rose. I'm still alive. |
16 I have the best parking angel. |
17 I'm looking forward to this weekend. |
| 18 This is going to end badly. This is my daughter's fourteenth birthday. (Bonus Six) |
19 Wishing for more. Living with less. |
20 I'm still stuck in the weekend. |
21 Tequila - the way God made it. |
22 666; it's not just a number. |
23 My freaking defensive driving is done. |
24 Woke up thinking today was Sunday. |
| 25 Life with her is always fun. |
26 Woke up wishing today was Sunday. |
27 She's a monster. I'm in love. |
28 Why does work feel like flypaper? |
29 |
30 |
31 Halloween I'm wishing everyone a happy Halloween. |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 What a bunch of noisy cats. |
2 Why don't they listen to me? |
3 Working too hard at my hobbies. |
4 Ain't got enough time for karma. |
5 Even when she's wrong, she's right. |
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| 6 Chinese fortune: We're compatible — in bed. |
7 We each enjoy the other's company. Wishing everyone a happy Labor Day! (Bonus Six) |
8 Life got boring. I got divorced. |
9 Alcohol spilled. It's a party now. |
10 You only have yourself to blame. |
11 I loved that Mighty Mouse shirt! A moment of silence for 9/11. (Bonus Six) |
12 I knew she would never call. |
| 13 Found on the road to Houston. |
14 It's time to go get coffee. |
15 The liquor store gets my tithes. |
16 She looks like she knows more. |
17 The darkness is where I belong. |
18 She's worth the trials and tribulations. |
19 If only it worked that way. This is my 200th six-word submission. (Bonus Six) |
| 20 I'll be at the swim-up bar. |
21 Life is better than I thought. |
22 A cold beer and a cigarette. |
23 I remember mom read to me. |
24 Sometimes you just need a job. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
25 Coffee without Bailey's isn't as good. |
26 Her demeanor was more fitting abroad. |
| 27 Drove to Dallas. Saw Scott Sigler. |
28 I really hate early morning Mondays. |
29 My daughter thinks motels are vacation. |
30 Where did all the children go? |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 He was both exciting and scary. |
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| 2 You're a punk and a brat. |
3 Well I guess now we know. |
4 I have to take defensive driving. |
5 I know. It's just her way. |
6 With a little whipped cream, please. |
7 She said yin. I said yang. |
8 She promised she would call me. |
| 9 I was dead. Now I'm not. |
10 Clowns and dolls. Both are creepy. |
11 When does it start getting better? |
12 She just stared at the cadaver. |
13 Sometimes the beer just isn't enough. |
14 Sometimes I really miss my dad. |
15 I follow you on Twitter too. |
| 16 No one knows why he snapped. |
17 She loved. They married. He divorced. |
18 Home from my vacation; and tired. |
19 I keep checking my empty inbox. |
20 He was always a quiet neighbor. |
21 Her reputation limped along behind her. |
22 If only I could remember how. |
| 23 My parking angel treats me well. |
24 My other self likes coffee too. It's the first day of school. (Bonus Six) |
25 Just for the fun of it. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
26 My ears ring from the music. |
27 Her inability to love distressed him. |
28 Disturbed, Trapt, Godsmack, Seether, Rob Zombie. |
29 I want to, but I can't. |
| 30 The steady rain hides my tears. |
31 I stay up to write alone. |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 Six words are just barely enough. |
2 Calendar says Thursday; feels like Friday. |
3 Married then divorced. Lather, rinse, repeat. |
4 4th of July I hate the first tequila shot. Happy birthday to the United States. (Bonus Six) |
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| 5 And her left-handedness explains so much. — This one was named "Memoir of the Day" for July 6, 2009 |
6 She's wild with fear and jealousy. |
7 I want to be in Vegas. |
8 My little ID just went screaming. |
9 Wishing I had misspent my youth. |
10 That was just standard, everyday stupid. |
11 Forty-five and still going to concerts. |
| 12 I am a high school dropout. |
13 Now I have a Master's Degree. |
14 Damn bass players. I should've known. |
15 Saw it. Tried it. Liked it. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
16 I should not be bungee jumping. |
17 Her wonder and amazement was apparent. |
18 I should have in my youth. |
| 19 Not for the faint of heart. |
20 She's not that kind of woman. |
21 Her Death Card was too apparent. |
22 He likes her. She likes Lisa. |
23 We're feeding that to our kids? |
24 Unstructured dialogue led to structured relationship. |
25 She is a very good kisser. |
| 26 Drunk on Saturday. Church on Sunday. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
27 Everyone deserves someone to be with. |
28 Suicidal axe murders need not apply. |
29 Why are there always two sides? |
30 All they found was one shoe. |
31 The right one felt left out. |
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 When do the fires go out? |
2 Death is easy. Life is hard. |
3 We had our first father-daughter movie. |
4 Where did I put that gun? |
5 It's the last day of school. |
6 She doesn't know what I think. |
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| 7 I should forget work and tweet. |
8 The hole in my hand hurts. |
9 Drinking is not always the answer. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
10 Why didn't I call the police? |
11 I can't believe you did that. |
12 I still play too much Sudoku. |
13 She only exists in my mind. |
| 14 I sometimes wonder where I am. |
15 I'm going crazy in small doses. — This one was highlighted on the main page |
16 But I don't want to work. |
17 Why can't I remember the words? |
18 I'll drive until I fall asleep. |
19 I spoil her when I can. |
20 It looked too good to eat. |
| 21 Why do I have to go? |
22 It just means drinking and debauchery. |
23 What is a witch to do? |
24 She looked regal and slightly drunk. |
25 My foot slipped off the brake. |
26 Can I have a do-over today? |
27 Spending the day pitching my stories. |
| 28 Just waiting for something to happen. |
29 I enjoyed her and her music. |
30 Give me hard rock coffee shops. |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 Some heads should not be bald. |
2 It's something I have to do. |
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| 3 It was warm by the fire. |
4 I don't want to go quietly. |
5 Cinco de Mayo I like being with my wife. Today is our three year anniversary. (Bonus Six) Wishing a happy Cinco de Mayo. (Bonus Six) |
6 My wife tolerates my odd habits. It is my wife's birthday today.(Bonus Six) |
7 She's a nice fit for me. — This one was highlighted on the Love & Heartbreak page |
8 I've heard that sound once before. |
9 I medicate so I won't expire. |
| 10 Las Vegas baby! Here we come! |
11 Her good intentions went quite awry. |
12 Back from Vegas and totally exhausted. |
13 A demon was on her back. |
14 You're drawn wrong! I love you! |
15 I would still marry her again. |
16 I hate finding hair in food. |
| 17 Even his children hate him now. — This one was highlighted on the Love & Heartbreak page |
18 That's what Vegas does to you. |
19 You kiss me like a whore. |
20 Work less. Vacation more. I wish. |
21 I needed six. Here they are. |
22 Takeoffs and landings scare me most. |
23 Her heart told her not to. |
| 24 She was in pain until death. |
25 Memorial Day She cried. She jumped. She died. Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day! (Bonus Six) |
26 She says I use her stuff. |
27 I don't know if I can. |
28 I want her to be perfect. |
29 And now I'm off to bed. |
30 My wife thinks that I'm wonderful. |
| 31 His life winked out before me. |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 I'm no longer writing - April Fools. |
2 I know I need a haircut. |
3 Do I look like I care? |
4 I don't always understand the music. |
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| 5 I love my iPod. Who knew? |
6 Why is there a bloody knife? |
7 I think my mother is proud. |
8 I like it with chocolate sauce. |
9 Tell me about the blue juice. |
10 Road anger is all the rage. |
11 Well I thought it was fiction. |
| 12 Last night's Nickelback concert was awesome! |
13 I make a mean Mexican Martini. |
14 I used to like her cats. |
15 My taxes are done. Are yours? |
16 Her words were like distant chatter. |
17 What can you say to that? |
18 What do you mean I'm dead? |
| 19 I didn't remember telling her that. It is my mom's birthday today. (Bonus Six) |
20 I'm really not worried about it. |
21 I don't think she's worth it. |
22 Earth Day; what are you doing? Today would be my Grandma's birthday. (Bonus Six) |
23 She doesn't see it at all. |
24 He's guilty. That's why he's here. |
25 Why can't we just be friends? |
| 26 I like it when it rains. |
27 Why do cats always like me? It is my brother's birthday today. (Bonus Six) |
28 Born again Christian; somehow misplaced God. |
29 Somehow I missed her growing up. It's my birthday. Happy birthday me. (Bonus Six) |
30 If she only knew how much. |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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7 |
8 Sudoku is a waste of time. |
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15 |
| 16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
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| 23 |
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25 |
26 |
27 To toot in church is sacrilege. |
28 She said it like I cared. |
29 While my wife sleeps, I write. |
| 30 You get it or you don't. |
31 I like her. She hates me. |