The six-word story
I guess there was a spirited talk on public radio Wednesday about six-word stories. The most famous supposedly penned by Ernest Hemingway:
“For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Whoosh.
Funny though, in my research, it’s entirely possible he never wrote it - and it’s grown to urban legend status.
I got asked once, on a Fiction in 58 exercise, how short was short. I know of a prompt site that asks for stories in 100 words and 55 words. The creation of Fiction in 58, for me, was something to test my storytelling abilities. I picked 58, since it sounded cool.
How short is too short? And can you say something bold and meaningful in six words? I think the story attributed to Hemingway answers that easily.
So let’s try a few, shall we?
“Tender kisses,” she asked. “Alas, no.”
Through the static, “End all hostilities.”
“I freaked.” “Why?” “He had scales!”
“Love,” he said, a tossed grenade.
He deliberately pushed; she resisted, earnestly.
Stranded, he prayed for clarity, beer.
“Trust isn’t a four-letter word.”
Tears fall, tissue offered; faith restored.
“For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Whoosh.
Funny though, in my research, it’s entirely possible he never wrote it - and it’s grown to urban legend status.
I got asked once, on a Fiction in 58 exercise, how short was short. I know of a prompt site that asks for stories in 100 words and 55 words. The creation of Fiction in 58, for me, was something to test my storytelling abilities. I picked 58, since it sounded cool.
How short is too short? And can you say something bold and meaningful in six words? I think the story attributed to Hemingway answers that easily.
So let’s try a few, shall we?
“Tender kisses,” she asked. “Alas, no.”
Through the static, “End all hostilities.”
“I freaked.” “Why?” “He had scales!”
“Love,” he said, a tossed grenade.
He deliberately pushed; she resisted, earnestly.
Stranded, he prayed for clarity, beer.
“Trust isn’t a four-letter word.”
Tears fall, tissue offered; faith restored.
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