Six Word Memoirs from A Writer’s Almanac by Garrison Keillor.

Six Word Memoirs

from A Writer’s Almanac

by Garrison Keillor

There's a legend that Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to create a six-word story, and he said,

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Inspired by this, an online magazine invited readers to submit their own six-word memoirs, a collection of which was published by Harper Collins in 2008 as Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.

Six-word memoirs include:

"All I ever wanted was more“

"Moments of transcendence, intervals of yearning“

"They called. I answered. Wrong number."

Submit your own six-word memoirs

All I ever wanted was more

Moments of transcendence, intervals of yearning

They called. I answered. Wrong number.

524 Summer 2009

Life is not what it seems

Finally finished, just to start over

Through the looking glass I learn

My family: more than I deserve

No children, many children, kindergarten teacher

My childhood, family, fun, happiness

Ageing is okay. Health is necessary

Slowly packing up my life today

There is beauty in letting go

Walking through the fire I reflect

Things always make sense in conclusions.

Looking back it makes perfect sense.

Summer: flip flops, swimming and freedom

Yesterday’s dreams will become today’s future.

Life is not what it seems.

Traffic crazy, loud noises, running fastly. Rivers of life flow numerous ways.

Slowing packing up my life today.

Don’t give up, dreams come true.

Through the looking glass I learn. The beating drum calls me home. Walking through the fire I reflect.

Not quite expected, but great nonetheless. I’m not in the mood today. Not always all here, but present.

Better late than never: Being Mom. Teacher and Mom is best yet! Life is fun. Run and run! Empty nest. Retire. Enjoy. Teach. Fun! Aging is ok. Health is necessary. Empty nest: More children to teach.

August 15, 2009. Oh, happy day! Arabella Carol Wooten. Shining, singing, laughing. There is beauty in letting go. Now is not forever. Thank goodness. Unpack everything today, give it away.

524 Fall 2009 524 Fall 2009 My goodness what have you done?My goodness what have you done?I love. He ran. We died. I love. He ran. We died. I taught. They learned. I’m thrilled. I taught. They learned. I’m thrilled. I’m not good at this nonsense. I’m not good at this nonsense. The moment has passed. The end. The moment has passed. The end. Sullen faces of hopelessness. Expertise rejected. Sullen faces of hopelessness. Expertise rejected. Mine is kinda philosophical. Makes sense?Mine is kinda philosophical. Makes sense?I think. Therefore, I’m not sure. I think. Therefore, I’m not sure. My brain hurts. I can’t think. My brain hurts. I can’t think. Strings, picks, and lot’s of notes. Strings, picks, and lot’s of notes. You lied. I cried. Never again. You lied. I cried. Never again. Rain fell. Road flooded. Car stuck. Rain fell. Road flooded. Car stuck. Closed mind. Open up. Then savor. Closed mind. Open up. Then savor. Ignorant. Dark. Desperate. Forgiven. Hopeful. Joyous. Ignorant. Dark. Desperate. Forgiven. Hopeful. Joyous.