Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Six Word Stories

I've been amusing myself today writing 6 word stories. Apparently Hemmingway claimed the best thing he had ever written was the 6 word story;
For Sale: babyshoes, never worn.
Here are a few more I particularly like written by some fantasy/horror/Sci-fi writers for Wired magazine;

"Cellar?" "Gate to, uh....Hell actually" - Ronald D moore
The Baby's bloodtype? Human mostly. - Orson Scott Card
With Bloody Hands, I say goodbye. - Frank Miller
Heaven Falls...Details at eleven. - Robert Jordan
From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings. - Gregory Maguire
Finally he had no more words. - Gregory Maguire

(There are many more here; http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html)
Okay mine aren't all that good but here you go anyway;

Those careless words changed everything forever.
Was she blameless in his downfall?
Her telltale eyes accidently divulged betrayal.
Was she crazy? She needed proof.
The stake's high, the forecast lousy
Until now she had always obliged.
The lights went out, darkness reigned.
She fled, nobody saw her leave.
Unbearabley hot, he left the kitchen.
Angered by her opposition, he cursed.

Hmmm whilst typing these I discovered if I rearranged them slightly (as they are here) they seem to flow as a whole. It defeats the object a little as it is now a 60 word story but I suppose it can be read either way.
If anyone else is faced with the tiresome boredom that I have been, give this a go, it's good fun and I'd love to hear them.

4 Comments:

Blogger ian gordon said...

I love these.

They're very akin to Haiku, although even that has a few more words.

My favourite John Lennon lyric ever was "I want you, she's so heavy" - which was the entire song!

I know when I'm trying to paint I'm in trouble if I start thinking about "blending" or "presentation". I think the skill to edit and pair things down to their essentials is a skill to admire and envy.

9:05 PM

 
Blogger Ahvarahn said...

With great trepidation, I try it.

4:20 AM

 
Blogger ginab said...

How about "beer is never enough for her".

I believe Hemingway got the spring or the bite from headlines. I think so. Journalism for sure!

Neat post!

-ginab

2:48 AM

 
Blogger Anne-Marie said...

Great post, Moonpie! I love them.

4:47 AM

 

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