A few years back, Smith Magazine compiled six word memoirs from artists, writers, musicians, and the like. The result: Not Quite What I Was Planning.
A few examples of these nano six word memoirs:
Dave Eggers
–Fifteen years since last professional haircut
Aimee Mann
–Couldn’t cope so I wrote songs
Stephen Colbert
–Well, I thought it was funny.
Seeking the fullest expression of self.
– Oprah Winfrey
After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.
– Robin Templeton
70 years, few tears, hairy ears.
– Bill Querengesser
Watching quietly from every door frame.
– Nicole Resseguie
Catholic school backfired. Sin is in!
– Nikki Beland
Savior complex makes for many disappointments.
– Alanna Schubach
Nobody cared, then they did. Why?
– Chuck Klosterman
Some cross-eyed kid, forgotten then found.
– Diana Welch
She said she was negative. Damn.
– Ryan McRae
Born in the desert, still thirsty.
– Georgene Nunn
A sake mom, not soccer mom.
– Shawna Hausman
I asked. They answered. I wrote.
– Sebastian Junger
No future, no past. Not lost.
– Matt Brensilver
Extremely responsible, secretly longed for spontaneity.
– Sabra Jennings
Joined Army. Came out. Got booted.
– Johan Baumeister
Almost a victim of my family
– Chuck Sangster
The psychic said I’d be richer.
– Elizabeth Bernstein
Grumpy old soundman needs love, too.
– Lennie Rosengard
Mom died, Dad screwed us over.
– Lesley Kysely
Painful nerd kid, happy nerd adult.
– Linda Williamson
Write about sex, learn about love.
– Martha Garvey
Highlights from professional writers and artists include pop singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger (“We still don’t hear a single”), comic strip artist Keith Knight (“I was a Michael Jackson impersonator”), nine-year-old Hannah Davies (“Cursed with cancer. Blessed by friends”), Zak Nelson (“I still make coffee for two”), Scott Birch (“Most successful accomplishments based on spite”), Rip Riley (“No wife. No kids. No problems”), and Amy Sedaris (“Mushrooms. Clowns. Wands. Five. Wig. Thatched”).
Six Word Memoirs — What’s Yours?
Say something about who you are in exactly six words. What’s your six-word memoir?
Here’s mine — My truth is in my fiction.
