# Six word stories...show us your Hemingways **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 30, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715 "2009-01-30T14:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maia\_s\_Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Maia\_s\_Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maia_s_Well)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/1 "2009-01-30T14:52:13Z")
Caught this book review on Newsweek: [That’s So Romantic. And So Brief.](http://www.newsweek.com/id/181286) > [@](#): > > Summing up a life, a romance or a trauma so succinctly may seem like an abomination out of the Twitter generation, but it actually dates back to the 1920s, when Ernest Hemingway bet colleagues that he could write a complete short story in just six words. The result, “For Sale: Baby Shoes. Never Worn,” he reportedly called his best work. I immediately thought of you 'Dopers. The book referenced is on love and relationships, and there was a previous one that featured six-word memoirs. I don’t want to assign a subject here, though; just show us what ya got. Here’s a couple of mine: Born sane. Went crazy. Found peace. I write and write. No money. I can change my life. Tomorrow. Jesus wept, but not like Judas. We think we swim; fish know. Mods, I wasn’t sure where to start this; feel free to move it. OK, y’all 'dopers bring it on. ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/2 "2009-01-30T16:00:30Z")
In response to the memoir challenge on Newsweek’s website, I went with As it turns out, I am. Regarding the history of the form, Hemingway’s best when he writes least. These are seriously fun. The word count restriction lends to different structure than a syllable count form, like Haiku. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/3 "2009-01-30T16:04:11Z")
Christopher Reeve was Superman, paralyzed, dead. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/4 "2009-01-30T16:26:50Z")
\*\*She’s gone. So is the dog. Six days to live, and broke. Every midsummer they return to feed. The clown hit the sidewalk face-first.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/5 "2009-01-30T16:29:10Z")
**Wanted to reply, but creativity lacking.** ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/6 "2009-01-30T16:30:14Z")
Why didn’t I bring more ammo? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/7 "2009-01-30T16:34:21Z")
Earnest try. No more life left. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/8 "2009-01-30T16:45:32Z")
1. Aerial fell. Postman impaled. Great reception! 2. _SPLAT!!_ “What the?!? Oh…sorry tinkerbelle” 3. She broke his heart. Figuratively, literally. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/9 "2009-01-30T17:38:55Z")
Man screams to heavens. Why, God? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/10 "2009-01-30T17:55:56Z")
She was everything to me. Sigh… Uh oh! Uh oh! Oh crap… And the muderer is…Oh! Shiny! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/11 "2009-01-30T18:02:11Z")
She left. Never returned. I smile. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/12 "2009-01-30T18:07:00Z")
The secret of life! It’s _math_! ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/13 "2009-01-30T18:16:06Z")
Just slogging it out: that’s me. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/14 "2009-01-30T18:20:52Z")
**Still sleepwalking through a meaningless existence.** ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/15 "2009-01-30T18:21:15Z")
The old soldier returned grandmother’s ring. The stained mattress cannot provide rest. Dad hated smiling girls. They lie. Lullabelle kept humble. Then she graduated. _And in the Hemingway vein:_ Bride’s dress cheap: only slightly bloody. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/16 "2009-01-30T18:21:17Z")
Me: came to shit. Broken hearted. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/17 "2009-01-30T18:23:44Z")
Their weakness is something really simple. Child is abused, get’s special reward. Good triumphs over evil every time. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/18 "2009-01-30T18:45:13Z")
It was not what it was. Life moves on. Even without him. The dream went awry. I’m sorry. The cake? It is a lie. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/19 "2009-01-30T18:53:55Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Why didn’t I bring more ammo? This is one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715/20 "2009-01-30T18:55:38Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > This is one of my favorites. I see what you did there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-show-us-your-hemingways/483715.md?page=2)