Jan 15 2013: And indeed a lot of conversations in schools and live events in which six-word memoirs are the beginning of longer storytelling. Six-Word Memoirs can be amazing ways to express yourself in a succinct and meaningful way, but also, quite beautifully are often the start of longer storytelling and conversations.
Jan 15 2013: I would love to have Friday's featured Six-Word Memoirs on SMITH all come from TED chatters. We feature 10 a day, and one is "memoir of the day" that goes out to twitter, facebook, tumblr). Come on over to smithmag.net/sixwords and you can share these same sixes or write new ones there.
Jan 15 2013: I can see how that might happen, but I think more than that examples open things up for people, let them know "oh, there are lots of ways to use this form." One thing I have learned is that if you just give examples of the most insanely great sixes it can be intimidating for people (i.e. "I'll never be that smart, witty, nuanced...") so it is important not only to remind people that the form is easy and accessible (and fun!) but that there are no wrong answers. Your six words are yours and carry meaning.
Jan 15 2013: For many people, six-word memoirs are very addictive. For starters, once you start writing them you usually want to write more. And then you want to share them, and of course ask your friends and family: "What's your six-word memoir?" Six words are a big hit at dinner parties and weddings. And, not to get too commercial here, but we made a board game that people like as well.
Jan 15 2013: That's a great observation. I think the younger kids, especially ones who haven't hit puberty, are in their own way more rational (that's not exactly the right word). But they're very much in the moment. Broadly (very) speaking older kids have more angst but also more dreams. And this is not only typical of this book but very consistent with what we see on SMITHmag and SMITHTeens, and what I hear when I do workshops or go into classrooms.
And I did a project with AARP Magazine a few years ago and the memoirs from older folks tended to be really positive ("Sixty. Single. Rich. Call me collect") and full of life lessons ("When cookies are passed, take one" "Sign the card, eat the cake").
Jan 15 2013: Yes, we've done many prompts, on the site and also in workshop settings, and most work really well. What helps is when you can give a well-defined prompt and also a few examples to get people going,
(And as an aside I edited an anthology about life-changing moments, but the essays weren't answered in six words, they were up to 2,000 words) as that is a great question to ask anyone. It's called THE MOMENT.
We have an ongoing project with To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit that believes self-expression can help with pain and lead one toward hope. You can check it out here: http://www.smithmag.net/twloha
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A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
Six-Word App.
Finally.
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A comment on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
And I did a project with AARP Magazine a few years ago and the memoirs from older folks tended to be really positive ("Sixty. Single. Rich. Call me collect") and full of life lessons ("When cookies are passed, take one" "Sign the card, eat the cake").
A reply on Conversation: Can you define your life in just six words?
(And as an aside I edited an anthology about life-changing moments, but the essays weren't answered in six words, they were up to 2,000 words) as that is a great question to ask anyone. It's called THE MOMENT.
We have an ongoing project with To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit that believes self-expression can help with pain and lead one toward hope. You can check it out here: http://www.smithmag.net/twloha