We have the most interesting little book in our teen library. It is called I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six Word Memoirs By Teens Famous & Obscure. Edited by Smith Magazine.
Apparently, the thought that one could tell an entire story in just six words began with Ernest Hemmingway. Legend says that when he was challenged to write an entire novel in six words, he wrote: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Smith magazine is an online publication (http://www.smithmag.net/). It is devoted to storytelling in all forms, but it seems to have hit on a real winner with the six word theme. On its website are various categories of six word memoirs. Under Momoirs I found: “Regained sanity is 18 years away” and “Screw cancer. Mom went to Paris,”
Under Food Life I read: “About that fire in the kitchen.” And “Are you going to eat that?”
In the Six Words for America category: “For every bomb, build a school.” And “We are one nation. red, blue.”
When Demi showed me the teen book, I was mesmerized for almost an afternoon…..”Dreams too big for this town.”, “Eccentricity is not an exact science.”, “Googled what he called me. Ouch.”For a few days I worried about the poor kids who wrote those quotes. When I read ”Follow your dreams. Not your parents”, I was sure my daughter Anne had written in.
What was the child thinking who wrote “The keys I have don’t fit”? What about “A time machine would be nice”? What was that poor kid suffering through when he/she wrote?
Demi put out a small notebook for our library teens to write their own memoirs. Some of my local favorites are “Five years, math homework still overdue.” And “I’m not short, I’m fun sized.”
Inspired, I wrote some of my own: “Growing old, better than the alternative.” “People my age are older than I.” “Life’s too short for ugly shoes.”
Come on in. Whether reading memoirs of other people or writing your own, you will find what you need @your library.
Apparently, the thought that one could tell an entire story in just six words began with Ernest Hemmingway. Legend says that when he was challenged to write an entire novel in six words, he wrote: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Smith magazine is an online publication (http://www.smithmag.net/). It is devoted to storytelling in all forms, but it seems to have hit on a real winner with the six word theme. On its website are various categories of six word memoirs. Under Momoirs I found: “Regained sanity is 18 years away” and “Screw cancer. Mom went to Paris,”
Under Food Life I read: “About that fire in the kitchen.” And “Are you going to eat that?”
In the Six Words for America category: “For every bomb, build a school.” And “We are one nation. red, blue.”
When Demi showed me the teen book, I was mesmerized for almost an afternoon…..”Dreams too big for this town.”, “Eccentricity is not an exact science.”, “Googled what he called me. Ouch.”For a few days I worried about the poor kids who wrote those quotes. When I read ”Follow your dreams. Not your parents”, I was sure my daughter Anne had written in.
What was the child thinking who wrote “The keys I have don’t fit”? What about “A time machine would be nice”? What was that poor kid suffering through when he/she wrote?
Demi put out a small notebook for our library teens to write their own memoirs. Some of my local favorites are “Five years, math homework still overdue.” And “I’m not short, I’m fun sized.”
Inspired, I wrote some of my own: “Growing old, better than the alternative.” “People my age are older than I.” “Life’s too short for ugly shoes.”
Come on in. Whether reading memoirs of other people or writing your own, you will find what you need @your library.
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