— Reading time: 2 minutes
I’ll be brief. But twice as long as that.
I’ve been absent as I finished a massive edit to my work in progress. Now, I begin my search for a couple beta readers. Meantime, back to the present.
I mentioned more than a few times that my theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge – Six-sentence stories – was in homage to Ernest Hemingway, who gets credit for writing the first six-word story. He allegedly called it his greatest work. And maybe it’s all hyperbole, but I’m not here to argue that. I’m here to bring you more magical six-word stories like Hemingway’s.
For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.
In time, it became somewhat of a fashion statement to craft a six-word story. Some fantastic writers have taken a good shot at the art. Here are a few favorites, including one from my current work in progress.
Streets full of water. Please advise.
- Robert Benchley, upon his first visit to Venice. (Humorist)
Found true love. Married someone else.
- Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius)
I asked. They answered. I wrote.
- Sebastian Junger (Perfect Storm)
Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.
- Stan Lee (creator of Spider-Man, et al)
Longed for him. Got him. Shit.
- Margaret Atwood (Poisonwood Bible)
The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.
- Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game)
Easy. Just touch the match to
- Ursula K. LeGuin (Sci fi legend)
And one of my own…
Sometimes I still make two cups.
- Gloria Newman, character in my WIP
Come back tomorrow for a flash fiction piece that revolves around the six-word story. It was a contest finalist.
Automobile expires. LOL. What about the expresso machine? Funny how these machines time their demise.
If your interested, I’ll beta. I might be harsher this time around. Seeing how you never questioned any of the notes I left.
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Oh, Angie, you are too kind. I’m absolutely interested. Harsh? Even more interested! But I know it’s a time commitment. I’ll email you.
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I just bought A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius! I guess I’ll have to move it up in my reading queue. Nice to see your work again!
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Serena, thank you. I fell off the world a bit there after April knocked me out. Trying to get back up again. Dave Eggers is a genius, you’re gonna love Heartbreaking.
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Thanks for a very pleasurable two minutes. 🙂 Now I have an urge to compose some six-word masterpieces of my own. (Okay, maybe not *masterpieces*…)
The “baby shoes” piece is an old favorite. I like its mysterious history, as well; somehow, it adds volume to its minimalism.
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