Six word novels
August 4, 2009 8:23 am GeneralI happened on a Wired article about the 6 word novel this morning, in a link from a newsletter I’m subscribed to.
Like Haiku and other very formulaic structures, the six word novel gives the author enormous freedom while constraining them in a fish-bowl.
My favourite examples:
- “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” – Ernest Hemmingway.
- “Longed for him. Got him. Shit.” – Margaret Atwood
- “With bloody hands, I say good-bye.” – Frank Miller
Reading these, and seeing the second-place finisher of the competition in this newsletter (which was my favourite): “My secret discovered. Plane ticket purchased.” made me want to give it a try.
After some work, here’s my best effort.
As the noose tightened, she remembered.
A bit macabre, nonetheless I’m pretty happy with the images it brings forward, and the questions it leaves unanswered.
Anyone else care to try?
August 4th, 2009 at 9:34 am
This sentence came to me just before I realized it was not from me: “Living is easy with eyes closed”.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:35 am
my attempt:
“wrong wire, man”, said St Peter.
Interesting. I guess the point is to use 6 words to try to imply a history that the read can then work out retroactively.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
In the same vain, there is “Oups I did it again”.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Ever read any Amy Hempel? Chuck Palahniuk describes her thus: “When you study minimalism in Tom Spanbauer’s workshop, the first story you read is Amy Hempel’s “The Harvest”. Next you read Mark Richard’s story “Strays”. After that, you’re ruined. If you love books, if you love to read, this is a line you may not want to cross. I’m not kidding. You go beyond this point, and almost every book you’ll ever read will suck. All those thick, third-person, plot-driven books torn from the pages of today’s news, well, after Amy Hempel, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money.”. That always struck me as one of the most glowing reviews I’ve ever read.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:49 am
“The planet wept, yet another meme.”
August 4th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
<html> <head> </head> <body> </body> </html>
August 4th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Silicon life prevails. No more consciousness.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Once read it can’t be unread.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Six word stories make me pause.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Discovering himself clothed, he felt relief.
August 4th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
“I remembered, then they killed him.”
Kind of tragic, I know. But with only six words that’s all I can tell you.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Blue sky. A single raindrop. Reminder.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Judge dismisses Hemingway lawsuit: “fair use”.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Crossed seas for you. Too bad.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Love, cling, lose, sorrow, hope, love
August 6th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Not exactly difficult; throw words together.
Laying on tingling hook, glowing softly.
On broken Plane, taking off anyway.
Bought spider plant, who says “hello”.
Science, cutting space and grinding time.
August 7th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Amazon Kindle: 1984 replays in 2009.
August 7th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Against all reason, Andy continues writing
August 19th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Deception. Sheets stained. Respect gone again.
August 27th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
i said i do forever…maybe.