“For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Thus, the anecdote goes, began-and ended-the (über)short story by Ernest Hemingway, the fascinating result of a $10 bet. This was the principal motivation behind Smith Magazine‘s call for memoirs in six words; eventually, the best entries were published in the bestseller, “Not Quite What I Was Planning.” In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, there’s a new collection of treasures published in “Six Word Memoirs of Love and Heartbreak by Writers Famous and Obscure.”
Here’s a taste from the LA Times blog:
It hurts even worse in French.–Derek Pollard
I loved the idea of you. — Audrey Adu-Appiah
Tomorrow, maybe, I’ll sell the ring. — Matt Tanner
Inevitably, his obituary didn’t mention me. — R. Sue Dodea
I thought we had more time. — Joe Hill
Wonder-filled, and never a dull torment. — Diane Ackerman
He is married. I am not. — Hope Truhart
We’ll break up before this prints. — Porochista Khakpour
What once were two, are one. — George Saunders
Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak from SMITHmag on Vimeo.
More excerpts from the Reader’s Digest:
In hindsight, I’d still choose you. — Natana Gill
Love: eight pounds and six ounces.– Kenny Clark
Marriage, children, empty nest: Now what?– Oliver House
I’m your one that got away.– Mary Elizabeth Williams
He e-mailed again, and I deleted.– Molly Antopol
May I have the last dance?– Robert Hass
He told me he was single.– Esther Newberg
Moved in. No ring. Moved out.– Melissa Lafsky
Portland, she decided; I, the Bronx.– Dominic Preziosi
I searched him on Google. Nothing.– Cybele O’Brien
My own personal contribution (and I bet $10 it’s in the book somewhere): It was never meant to be.
Yours?
Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan.
Tags: book review, French, Google, heartbreak, Hemingway, LA Times, love, Reader's Digest
those are nice, like modern haiku.
(yes, that’s my contribution)
Heh…cool…but what’s the romantic slant?
last comment seven words, won’t respond.
You did, by saying you wouldn’t.
Ok, this comment is not only six words, oh well. I had to say, I loved the one “It hurts even worse in French”. Practically made me laugh out loud. I’m not sure I agree, because to a certain extent, everything sounds better in French to me (most likely because the meaning doesn’t sink in right away). So then of course, my six-worder, which isn’t exactly on topic, but describes my general state of being:
If only it were in French.
“It hurts even worse in French” was my personal favorite too! 🙂