*The Six-Word Memoir; Want to Try It?

Here's a challenge for you. Write a memoir in six words. Anyone can tell a rambling tale; goodness knows I can! Keeping our life story to six words would challenge the best of us.

There was a brief article in the February 2012 issue of the Oprah Magazine that caught my eye, "Mini-Memoirs: Your Life in Six Words." The concept of a brief, concise autobiography in a handful of words intrigued me. Could I do it?  Could you?

Larry Smith, editor of SMITH Magazine, had challenged writers to write their memoir in only six words. Over the last several years, he has collected over a half million stories. I will share a few of my favorites here with you, and then I'm going to take a stab at it.

"Thought I would have more impact."  -Kevin Clark

"Brought it to a boil, often."  -Mario Batali

"Hoping my obituary spells 'debonair' correctly." -Greg Easterbrook

"Divorced twice, lived happily ever after." -Susan Guyaux

"Became my mother.  Please shoot me."  -Cynthia Kaplan

"It's like forever, only much shorter."  -Pete DeVito

"Still trying to impress my dad."  -Shoshana Berger

"She read too much...into everything."  -Jessica Reed

Aren't these great?  We can learn so much about someone in such a few words...an attitude, a motto, a mantra, a theme, a wish, a regret, a summary.  I was impressed with each author's succinct way with words.  So I decided to give it a go. And I cheated.  I did more than one.  You know me; if six words are good, more words are better!

Denise's attempts at the Six-Word Memoir

Through my writing, I live twice.

Searched everywhere for peace; found within.

Takes photographs to live moments again.

The littlest things make me happy.

SO...

if you decide to try it, drop me a line.  A six word line would be great!