I give you the
Hemingway Challenge.
Write a story in six words.
Here’s mine.
I missed catching up with the gang at the S., celebrating Indian Diwali at the home of one of my students, and seeing the much-anticipated play that Romeo Romeo was directing.
The latter was the tragedy of tragedies. Woe is me. Seriously. But, I was sick in bed with an unshakable case of the flu all weekend.
I was, however, able to catch up on my reading, and thoroughly enjoyed this excerpt from an article in the July/August issue of The Utne that Dr. Top Ten sent:
“Earnest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in six words. The result: ‘For sale: baby shoes, never used.’ Rumor has it that Hemingway regarded it as his greatest work. Stirred by this masterwork, the editors of BlackBook asked 25 of today’s most renowned writers to offer their own original six-word stories.” – p. 92
Here are my favorites:
“Forgive me!” “What for?” “Never mind.” – John Updike
Eyeballed me, killed him. Slight exaggeration.-- Irvine Welsh
Satan- Jehovah- fifteen rounds. A draw. – Norman Mailer
I saw. I conquered. Couldn’t come. - David Lodge
Oh, that? It’s nothing. Not contagious.- Augusten Burroughs
She gave. He took. He forgot – Tobias Wolff.
So, I give you the Hemingway Challenge. Write a story in six words. Here’s mine:
He came. He conquered. She survived.- shamash
What's your story?
Too much, too soon, the end.
Posted by: BG in Asia | Thursday, 03 November 2005 at 01:33 PM
Puny Humans, I Will Crush You!
(I'll think of a more Hemingway-worthy one later but this one made me chuckle)
Posted by: Michiel | Friday, 04 November 2005 at 04:44 AM
Great place you have here!
Posted by: Harmonia | Saturday, 05 November 2005 at 03:43 AM
I can. I will. I did.
Posted by: pubs | Saturday, 05 November 2005 at 04:00 AM
Read blog. Gained insight. Communicate better.
Posted by: Darth Vader | Saturday, 05 November 2005 at 02:44 PM
Techies vent frustrations on Angel.
I even saved a word cuz Shamash knows that 5 words say EXACTLY what we feel...
BTW, I'd like to change my last poem to -
"Read blog. Gained insight. Communication better."
Posted by: Darth Vader | Saturday, 05 November 2005 at 08:14 PM
this is all there is. Enjoy.
Posted by: Shamash A. | Monday, 07 November 2005 at 02:36 AM
Everything changes. Everything stays the same.
Posted by: Michiel | Monday, 07 November 2005 at 03:24 AM
Come! Animals! Poor Noah, still hallucinatin'
Posted by: Vjh | Friday, 10 February 2006 at 08:51 PM
one kiss. one laugh. typhoid kills.
Posted by: Cam Elliot | Saturday, 11 February 2006 at 12:20 AM
chanced upon your blog- will look through at leisure. your occupation sounds similar to mine! what do you teach?
will try the 6 word story thingy...:)
Here's one:
'I try, I die. I live.'
Posted by: inkblot | Friday, 28 July 2006 at 11:18 AM
What does this button do? Whoops!
Posted by: BANKSY | Friday, 28 July 2006 at 11:34 PM
"Oh No!" "Oh Yes!" "Oh well ..."
Posted by: Squirrel | Saturday, 29 July 2006 at 04:47 AM
Creation, Evolution, Industrialisation, Pollution, Destruction. Conclusion?
Posted by: BANKSY | Sunday, 30 July 2006 at 03:02 AM
My Blood test came back today.
Posted by: BANKSY | Sunday, 30 July 2006 at 06:43 PM
She went and married him anyway.
Posted by: Raindrop | Saturday, 05 August 2006 at 03:12 AM
Hanged himself? He seemed so happy!
Posted by: Raindrop | Saturday, 05 August 2006 at 03:23 AM
I didn't KNOW she was sixteen!
Posted by: Raindrop | Saturday, 05 August 2006 at 03:36 AM
A wall decorated in splattered brain.
Posted by: The Wanderer | Wednesday, 09 August 2006 at 01:39 PM
"I'm leaving." "Where to?" "Don't know"
Posted by: Troy | Sunday, 19 November 2006 at 08:42 PM
"I abhor writers who don't conclude..."
Posted by: Leland | Friday, 24 November 2006 at 09:13 AM
THE BEGINNING, THE MIDDLE, THE END.
Posted by: MARIO | Friday, 15 December 2006 at 04:23 AM
Petroleum barrels- a bumpy soccer field.
Posted by: natalie | Friday, 22 December 2006 at 02:21 PM
He rose slow, purposefully, yet again.
Posted by: Trevor Johnson | Wednesday, 21 February 2007 at 06:12 AM
Differnt Wars, Different Beginnings, Similar Ends !!
Posted by: Mohit Jain | Wednesday, 09 May 2007 at 02:29 AM