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.
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
