Six word stories can say lots.
Sometimes when I go out and talk about the ideas in AWNM, I have time do some exercises with the audience. And one of my new favorites is the six-word memoir,which helps demonstrate and hone the power of story. The idea comes from the endlessly entertaining book, Not Quite What I Was Planning
and not write their autobiographies in just six words.
For example, Stephen Colbert’s six-word memoir is “Well, I thought it was funny.” Another: “Found true love, married someone else.” There were several gems ones at the business conference I attended today. Here are a few of my favorites (all penned by people who had about five minutes to think and write.)
* Navy blue is my favorite color. * Did what I was supposed to. * Happy, sad, angry, confident, really happy. * Unsure, but you would never know.
Browse Similar Posts: Reading, Story, Whole New Mind
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- Pingback: Six word memoir (courtesy: Dan Pink) | Life Beyond Code on May 12, 2008
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- Pingback: Six-word stories: An invitation | Daniel Pink on April 27, 2009
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Andrew on May 8, 2008
Followed the rules; wish I hadn’t.
Dan Pink on May 8, 2008
The story of my life:
Pink. Yes. Just like the color.
Judd6149 on May 9, 2008
“Buy the ticket. Take the ride”
Paul on May 9, 2008
Reminds me of a photographer who handed blank cards to people of all walks of life, asked them to write whatever they liked on it and shot them holding the card. The results were amazing – funny, sad, brave, poignant – every story was there.
My 6 word memoir: Found a new groove almost everyday.
Jeffrey Cufaude on May 9, 2008
Living my fourth draft. Revising regularly.
Mark Juane on May 11, 2008
There’s gotta be a better way.
The Financial Philosopher on May 12, 2008
Be. Know. Do. Become. Reflect. Repeat.
Mad Gringo on May 12, 2008
Ooh, shiny! Change course. Oops. Shiny!
Steve Bannister on May 12, 2008
Hey Dan, thanks for the post!
Eric Grasso on May 12, 2008
Hi Mr. Pink,
Recently you commented on my friend and Principal Ray Dewar’s blog. I was thinking what person has to be like when they are creating constantly and still taking the time to connect with people. I am envious. As a high school math teacher I can’t help but admire your work. You create, edit write, and reflect with a huge audience. I feel my calling is writing and dream to accomplish much more. You have given me a role model. I just want you to know what your focusing on grows. My girlfriend told me to write you and I had it in my mind so when you commentted to Ray I had to sent this. Ray shared your book with me in September and my students know all about your work. I will continue to spread the word on how to know and be yourself.
Not exactly six words, I know
Learn everything until heart can’t beat
Coach Justice on May 13, 2008
Deep as Ocean, Shallow as Puddle.
Mark Dyck on May 13, 2008
Read lots. Thought lots. Did lots.
Hey, that’s kind of like a fortune cookie! Add “Dan’s Books” at the end, sorta.
Read lots of Dan’s Books (OK, two)
Thought lots about Dan’s Books. (true)
Did lots based on Dan’s books (certainly with A Whole New Mind, and starting with Johnny Bunko)
It doesn’t fit near as well as “in bed” but it’s getting there
Lise on May 14, 2008
I forgot it was all a dream!
Penelope on May 14, 2008
Always wanted to be somewhere else
Six words that reveal one’s self
Kirstin Elaine Myers on May 14, 2008
My mom always knew I was gifted.
Eve on May 14, 2008
Yes, I can make that happen.
jack adams on May 15, 2008
Life is what happens
While you’re making other plans.
Or so says my Mom.
I took the HaiKu path Dan
Gertrude Wilkes on May 16, 2008
Walked far away,
started over happy
jack adams on May 17, 2008
Life is short
Art lives on
Steven Stark on May 19, 2008
To thine own self be true.
As usual, Shakespeare said it best.
Dana on May 21, 2008
Expanding your mind with good books. (more of a job description than a memior)
Living, Learning, and Loving my Life! (now that’s a memior)
Mary Jo on May 25, 2008
Life’s path surprised yet delighted me
morningstar on May 25, 2008
Hi,
Just stopped by your blog. Wonderful recommendations on public speaking (I belong to a Toastmasters Club) and on books (going to check out those about writing, which is something I’ve been trying to engage on for some years now).
My life in 6 words (so far):
It all happened inside my head.
Congratulations on a great webpage. Please carry on (for the sake of all of us).
jarrod on May 27, 2008
Rough drafts are all I write.
Shawn Levasseur on June 1, 2008
Roads less traveled are my highways.
Patti Westaway on June 6, 2008
Consistently inconsistent. Yet that is me.
Brunsell on June 13, 2008
Throw ideas to see what sticks
Brett on June 17, 2008
Full of big ideas lacking attention.
Frank Murphy on June 23, 2008
I’m making each day a masterpiece!
When is now a good time?
Sarah Brophy on June 25, 2008
Searching for balance and overdoing it.
brandy on June 27, 2008
Oops! I lost count.
If I may say so on June 29, 2008
Forever exploring, experimenting to become me.
April Moore on June 29, 2008
So much more than I expected
Bridgette Holmes on July 13, 2008
We laugh. We will make it.
Phil Dourado on July 15, 2008
Seize the what? Oh, too late…
Sarah Merritt on July 24, 2008
How much can I fit in?
dave rowley on August 6, 2008
Knew everything, then learned to learn.
Jim LoPresti on August 13, 2008
To my own self was true
Shakespeare revisited…
PopsiArt on August 14, 2008
I always knew what boys liked.
Phyllis Jean Green on August 22, 2008
Stop! HELP!. . .hmmmm. . .HIC! UH oh! Awiiiiiight!!
Margaret Pusch on August 30, 2008
Mom wanted me to be “normal.”
Jeaninne Coulombe on September 8, 2008
Remained curious with around next corner.
Michele on September 17, 2008
Extremely moderate, unless cookies are involved.
Beth on September 23, 2008
I grew up, then became young.
Pete on October 3, 2008
Egad! Mom and Dad were right.
Jorge R. Gonzalez on October 16, 2008
Variety. Continuity. Preservering to the end.
Teresa Clarke on October 27, 2008
Me = Family, friends, cooking, reading, gardening, walks = happiness
Sid de Haan on October 29, 2008
Did the right thing. Was wrong.
Lindsay on November 7, 2008
The way I always live life:
Random is the way to be.
Gene H on November 16, 2008
I think Van Morrison put it best…
No guru, no method, no teacher
AK on November 20, 2008
Peace drives my mind to success.
tss on December 3, 2008
when scribbling, take lines in stride.
davidbdale on January 7, 2009
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Made love to my life, briefly.
Samethia on January 7, 2009
Don’t put forks in the toaster
Susan on January 10, 2009
Would do it again, the same!
Susan on January 10, 2009
Ran from danger,lived free since!
Julie Nelson on January 14, 2009
Ancora Imparo: I am still learning
-Michelangelo, 1562. And yet it fits me today. Huh.
Daniel.W.Ham on February 18, 2009
Home was where I found myself.
Daniel.W.Ham on February 18, 2009
Wherever I found myself was home.
Lucas on February 25, 2009
another day, another $0.50 at mcdonalds
Somebody Else on March 2, 2009
Work, sleep, happy. Work, sleep, happy
T on March 13, 2009
Shining Eventhough Not Yet Been Discovered
HC on March 13, 2009
i have lived for other people.
HC on March 13, 2009
spent too much time inside myself.
Paige on March 18, 2009
One heart that loves like three.
jacki on March 26, 2009
my best freind is my cat.
Mohd on April 2, 2009
Borne, lived, been loved, died, forgotten
Larry Smith on April 23, 2009
This is Larry Smith (“Big, hair, big heart, big hurry”), from SMITH Magazine, the folks behind the six-word memoir craze. If anyone wants to post any theirs from here, or new six worders, at sixwordmemoirs.com, you’d be considered for one of our future books. Hope you come check us out – thanks. -Larry
Aaron Templer on April 27, 2009
Surrounded by smart and supportive people.
Trevor on April 27, 2009
My mom said I was cool
Dan on April 28, 2009
Why is life always so hard?
I wish I was someone else.
I just want to be liked.
Time to start living my life.
Derek Michel on April 28, 2009
Yes I have two first names.
Gina B. on April 29, 2009
I love the six-word memoir idea. In fact, I was just writing a blog post for our A WHOLE NEW MIND book study blog using the concept of six-word memoirs as an activity for the “Story” section.
Bruno on April 29, 2009
Keep on searching, don’t sell out.
Tanny on April 29, 2009
Teachers: Challenge your students to write Six-Word Book Reports! To do so requires a great depth of thinking and the ability to synthesize. A fourth grade class I work with has recently written their Six-Word reports and they are incredible!
Margaret Stewart on May 3, 2009
Was kind, to herself and others.
LennyP on June 3, 2009
Happy-go-lucky; now sometimes lucky, somewhat happy
DaniS on June 6, 2009
Tested my way through life, ahh!
Rocky One on June 24, 2009
Am I free to go home?
Skye on June 25, 2009
Why me… why not… why ask?
Georgann on August 4, 2009
I will always be a student.
iggy iggins on September 17, 2009
do. be. do. be. do. die.
(frankly, not even a frank fan)
Teacher Lamp on October 8, 2009
30 years; 8th grade; explains much!
bill on October 19, 2009
Be happy with what you have.
Thats my memoir!
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
Smile more, life isn’t that bad.
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
Blue uniform, at attention; My Marine.
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
In a world of make believe.
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
Never stopped trying, never stopped living.
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
Love ends in depression…depression sucks.
Stephanie Redmond on October 21, 2009
On rollercoaster. Which one? My life.
alex on November 26, 2009
2 am still up mountain dew
sherri parker on November 28, 2009
friend, lover, ex. been all three
sherri parker on November 28, 2009
friends hurt more than enemies
Karen on January 1, 2010
I will do it by Monday!
Sharing kindness, sharing money-give life.
Accept, be blessed; appreciate, blessed more.
(Left-handed people can rule the world too
Daniel Ambrose on January 2, 2010
I thought it was turned off
Mandi on January 26, 2010
Tough gets going, going gets tough
Priya on February 26, 2010
Education reform: Stop testing. Start teaching.
I’m indecisive. Really, Or am I?
Can you count up to six?
Save trees. No homework please.
That’s impossible! Wait…there it is.
Porter on March 11, 2010
Always looked on the bright side
Katie on April 30, 2010
Living, Laughing, Learning; A Blessed Life
katie on May 11, 2010
I don’t color in the lines
Daniel on July 19, 2010
…Six, Five, Four, Three, Two,…Won.
Steven on August 27, 2010
Fifteen Years Young, Story Still Untold
:) on September 2, 2010
my heart beats while days pass.
Michelle on September 6, 2010
sticks and stone hurt the outside
Grace on September 24, 2010
still becoming who I was before
Ally on October 23, 2010
A in doodling, C in algebra.
Ally on October 23, 2010
milk plus new car equals bad
Ally on October 23, 2010
never ride scooter in pouring rain
Ally on October 23, 2010
Really should be doing homework now
Ally on October 23, 2010
ADHD forgot to take ADHD meds.
Ally on October 23, 2010
homework homework homework whole entire life
Ally on October 23, 2010
So mad. Wait is that cookie?
Lynn Robson on January 16, 2011
I’m more than just a pretty package.
Wendy on January 21, 2011
Living my life out loud daily.
Linda on February 1, 2011
Still learning…everyday is an adventure.
Melissa on February 8, 2011
Curiosity made a very interesting cat.
Ali on February 12, 2011
I should have been Audrey Hepburn
Jody on February 27, 2011
The motto of the City of Paris:
Fluctuat Nec Mergitur
In Latin it’s three words, in English it’s six:
Tossed by waves, she swims on.
Niklas on March 1, 2011
Never exactly as planned. Sometimes better.
Amanda on March 3, 2011
The mess you’ve put yourself in.
Lock without key. Broken, now free.
Six words. Always a different story.
I want my best friend back.
For Sale: Girl with broken heart.
Cheryl on March 7, 2011
Love what I’m doing right now!
Nic on March 10, 2011
You forget something new every day!
Kelly on March 17, 2011
Full steam ahead, constantly looking back!
Full of inspiration, lack of motivation.
Hmm can’t choose
JPOM on March 24, 2011
House engulfed in flames, Made Lemonade
Paul on March 30, 2011
Rock. Paper. Scissors. And sex.
TracY Martineau on March 30, 2011
Laughed much. Loved much. Grateful always.
Madasyn on March 31, 2011
I’m happy. Who’s perfect now mom?
Annette Super on April 7, 2011
A mix of sidelines and spotlights
Regina on April 8, 2011
Finally listening to myself. Loving life.
Late bloomer, proud to be independent.
David Roberts on April 12, 2011
Met a girl at a bar.
Joseph Rooks on April 12, 2011
Perhaps the most often quoted example comes from Hemingway:
“For sale: baby shoes, never used.”
MIlli on April 17, 2011
2 roads, which one to take?
Marti on April 29, 2011
Curiosity killed cat, works for me.
The Lioness on May 11, 2011
Great potential is a curse.
RJ on May 12, 2011
H-O-L-Z, No T
SV on May 13, 2011
found true me in my forties
AD on May 17, 2011
Talk less – Listen more. Attention. Understanding.
Jean T on May 21, 2011
Worried too much what others thought.
Tossed by waves, she sails on.
Knocked down, back up, sail on.
Meena on May 24, 2011
Life is a challenge, take it
dream big, when things dont happen
My Life is full of possibilities
Dream Big, whenever you can,can’t!
Never think small, It costs future
Things happen, you can’t help it
I’m heard, thanks to the Internet
Karen on May 31, 2011
Only one time around. Think big.
Evandro on June 6, 2011
Be curious, be honest, be happy!
Nora on June 26, 2011
Easy lessons learned the hard way!
Alan on July 5, 2011
His acute rage; His personal Kryptonite
Morgan on August 26, 2011
I could’ve done it in five.
Jenna on September 5, 2011
Who said tan lines were ugly?
Rot Wein on September 20, 2011
This is really funny and true.
xela on September 24, 2011
I’d rather be on the field.
Smile even with out the camera.
It was all just a dream.
Smile more, life will get better.
Hilda on September 25, 2011
Mom memories are my most precious.
Najoua Soudi on October 30, 2011
Thanks Dan
.
My 6 word memoir: found true meaning, constantly searching it.
Elizabeth Handover on November 3, 2011
Went for it, braving the mistakes.
Drew Brown on November 3, 2011
Love is like…
Bars and chains
Tracey Holland on November 4, 2011
Thought it should have been – Me
Hilary on November 7, 2011
1. There was a cow, he died.
2. Worked hard, got tired, slept well.
3. Got Halloween candy, Mom ate it.
Jeff on November 16, 2011
Very little worth worying about.
Emma on November 16, 2011
found other lost self alone now
Carolyn Hock on November 30, 2011
Catch and release – what’s the point?
Jessica Rohloff on January 2, 2012
Moved to New Orleans, never left.
Danae on January 10, 2012
Never trusted men. Learned to love.
Depression consumed me. Not any more.
Max on January 10, 2012
Outside the box, inside the chimney
Shannon on January 10, 2012
Its never going to be enough.
Gavin on January 10, 2012
I must have misplaced my head.
Josh on January 10, 2012
Sometimes im happy, but mostly not.
Jaxon on January 10, 2012
Life goes fast, eat dessert first
Jasmine on January 10, 2012
Smothered in love. Never happy though…
JACKSONXDMAN on January 12, 2012
There’s my car rolling away…CRAP!
C.J. on January 12, 2012
Remove wrapper from Poptart before Microwaving.
Sean Burns on January 23, 2012
Its too risky, to be safe