Challenged to write a six word story, the father of modern day literature came up with: "Baby Shoes For sale; Never used."
Other authors and writers have also tried to experiment with the Hemmigway challenge, coming up with awesome sauce like:
"Eyeballed me, killed him. Slight exaggeration." –Irvine Welsh
“You? Her? No dice, fat boy.” –Pinckney Benedict
grass, cow, calf, milk, cheese, France –Rick Moody
—I love you . . . –Love ya back. –Courtney Eldridge
My nemesis is dead. Now what? –Michael Cunningham
My nemesis is dead. Now what? –Michael Cunningham
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| Ernest Hemmigway and his son - taken by Robert Capa |
As amazing as that is, I thank God that writing or expression of thought is not limited to six words only. I can't imagine having to constrain myself and my thoughts to a mere phrase. There is still so much for me to offer and there is still so much for me to say. I think that the only thing that keeps me writing about dreams and ideas is the mere concept of legacy and of wanting to leave a piece of myself behind - the REAL myself: the myself that some of my friends do not even know.
As it is important to carefully choose what we reveal about ourselves and to whom we reveal ourselves to, I believe that when we do reveal, we should reveal freely and without hesitation. I, just like you, am comprised of different experiences that make me think what I think.
I am made up of stories and so are you. I am shaped by experiences and in time, I will have a story to share. Just like you.
So reveal freely. Share ideas prodigiously. Make a mark to leave behind!
Back to the author of "Hills like white elephants"!
I dare you to do the Hemmingway challenge by writing a story in six words. I guess in this case you can explain an idea, drive a motive or define a concept or something - but you're given the limit of six words.
I've tried and IT'S DIFFICULT but it's so fun to do.
We believe the lies we say.
He stares. Never saw her again.
Facing north but heart's at south
As it is important to carefully choose what we reveal about ourselves and to whom we reveal ourselves to, I believe that when we do reveal, we should reveal freely and without hesitation. I, just like you, am comprised of different experiences that make me think what I think.
I am made up of stories and so are you. I am shaped by experiences and in time, I will have a story to share. Just like you.
So reveal freely. Share ideas prodigiously. Make a mark to leave behind!
Back to the author of "Hills like white elephants"!
I dare you to do the Hemmingway challenge by writing a story in six words. I guess in this case you can explain an idea, drive a motive or define a concept or something - but you're given the limit of six words.
I've tried and IT'S DIFFICULT but it's so fun to do.
We believe the lies we say.
He stares. Never saw her again.
Facing north but heart's at south
3 comments:
I love this! What a fun writing challenge. Excuse me while I get to work brainstorming ideas. :) i will be sure and let you know what I come up with!
Ernest Hemingway was a genius, whose ideas certainly live on. I've never really tried doing a six word story, but it's always nice to stretch one's creativity. And I love those three lines at the end.
It can be a difficult task to reveal ourselves to others but it is truly amazing what becomes of it when we do.
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