The Six-Word Story

The Six-Word Story is a fun yet challenging way to write. The purpose of this type of writing is to condense a story into as brief a telling as possible. This forces the writer to decide what ideas are absolutely important and necessary to tell a complete story. It also often require the reader to draw their on conclusions about the stories plot.

Perhaps the most famous example of one of these stories is by Ernest Hemingway and goes like this:

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” – Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway's story seems to be a sad one where a couple never had a child and is now forced to sell the baby's shoes. However, nothing is 100% clear or concrete. There are a million possible reasons the shoes are for sale. Essentially, the reader must create their own story. Six-Word Stories are great for passing time or competing with others. 

Try writing your own Six-Word Story. A great way to start is to attempt to summarize a book you've read in six words. Here are some examples for the famous Of Mice and Men.

"I get to tend to the rabbits."
"Had a best friend. Now none."
"It is not a happy ending."

Once you've played around with these for a while, try making up your own stories. Here are some cool ones:

“Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.” – Joss Whedon

“With bloody hands, I say good-bye.” – Frank Miller

“It’s behind you! Hurry before it- ” – Rockne S. O’Bannon

“The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.” – Orson Scott Card

“K.I.A. Baghdad, Aged 18 – Closed Casket.” – Richard K. Morgan

Did you create any cool Six-Word Stories? Share them in the comments below.