Six Words

March 5th, 2008 by Maureen McHugh

Not Quite What I Was Planning is a collection of autobiographies in six words. The premise comes from the anecdote that Hemingway (perhaps to settle a bar bet?) wrote a short story in six words.

For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

Several sf writers have written Sfnal versions of this for Wired.

It cost too much, staying human.
- Bruce Sterling

We kissed. She melted. Mop please!
- James Patrick Kelly

Then comes this book. Autobiography in six words. Online storytelling magazine SMITH asked readers to submit six-word memoirs and culled the best. Of course, now I lay in bed attempting to compose mine.

An observer; husband, son brought reality.

But in ten minutes I’ll decide that’s wrong.

Posted in Fantasy, Maureen, Personal History, Science Fiction, Writing | 6 Comments »

6 Responses

1. Rory Harper Says:
   March 5th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

   I’ve adopted something from one of the Miles Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold, as my central life tenet:

   The only true wealth is biological.

   Am even working on a song with that as the tag line….

2. Jim Kelly Says:
   March 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

   Too much compression, even for me.

   Lost God, ex. Found writing, love.

   Thanks for noticing, Maureen!

3. Maureen McQ Says:
   March 5th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

   It was one of the best, Jim.

4. Patrick Nielsen Hayden Says:
   March 5th, 2008 at 11:47 pm

   Up. Out. Sing. Cry. Second wind.

5. Bob Says:
   March 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am

   Toys beckon. Ponds pale in comparison.

6. Bill Bottorff Says:
   March 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

   Sixth sense is that of time