Wow.
So I was doing the whole, post-work perusal of the web and came across something interesting. Upon reading, I had the smallest inkling that I'd heard of this before but anyway, apparentlly Ernest Hemingway was once either challenged to, or bragged that, he could write a story in six words. The story is as follows:
"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
WOW. Tell me that doesn't make a zillion things go through your mind. To me, the story is about a young newly married, completely in love couple who became pregnant. They did what a lot of expecting for the first time parents do, they went out and bought all these things for the little baby on the way. Something happened before the baby was able to wear shoes, I'm thinking miscarriage. Or, to embellish on the six words maybe it was an abortion? Either way, those six short, everyday words get you thinking. Something every story should do. This one doesn't just achieve that goal, it exceeds it amazingly.
So, Wired got ahold of some writers and celebrities. Here are a few of my favorites from their list:
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon
It cost too much, staying human.
- Bruce Sterling
1940: Young Hitler! Such a cantor!
- Michael Moorcock
Rapture postponed. Ark demanded! Which one?
- David Brin
Some of them do get ridiculous, like that last one from David Brin. They start becoming more of a comical challenge then an honest one. By the end of the list I feel like I'm reading a list of starting lines, not whole stories. Valiant effort by many though!
To check out the rest of the stories and the original article, go http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords_pr.html
Enjoy!
"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
WOW. Tell me that doesn't make a zillion things go through your mind. To me, the story is about a young newly married, completely in love couple who became pregnant. They did what a lot of expecting for the first time parents do, they went out and bought all these things for the little baby on the way. Something happened before the baby was able to wear shoes, I'm thinking miscarriage. Or, to embellish on the six words maybe it was an abortion? Either way, those six short, everyday words get you thinking. Something every story should do. This one doesn't just achieve that goal, it exceeds it amazingly.
So, Wired got ahold of some writers and celebrities. Here are a few of my favorites from their list:
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon
It cost too much, staying human.
- Bruce Sterling
1940: Young Hitler! Such a cantor!
- Michael Moorcock
Rapture postponed. Ark demanded! Which one?
- David Brin
Some of them do get ridiculous, like that last one from David Brin. They start becoming more of a comical challenge then an honest one. By the end of the list I feel like I'm reading a list of starting lines, not whole stories. Valiant effort by many though!
To check out the rest of the stories and the original article, go http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords_pr.html
Enjoy!