Memoirist?  Me?  No, not really.  I say that entirely tongue-in-cheek, but I am kind of amused to be included in SMITH Magazine’s newest six-word memoir collection, Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak: by Writers Famous and Obscure.  My contribution?  As tongue-in-cheek as calling myself a memoirist: “My marital advice? Marry an orphan.” It wasn’t my only love & heartbreak submission, but it was the one they liked the best.  Ahh… cynicism.

I was motivated to try my hand at the six-word memoir based on SMITH Magazine’s first collection: Not Quite What I Was Planning.  The premise for the book is based on a legend:

Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Starting in 2006, SMITH Magazine re-ignited the recountre by asking our readers for their own six-word memoirs. They sent in short life stories in droves, from the bittersweet (“Cursed with cancer, blessed with friends”) and poignant (“I still make coffee for two”) to the inspirational (“Business school? Bah! Pop music? Hurrah”) and hilarious (“I like big butts, can’t lie”).

Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak: by Writers Famous and Obscure is out now-- just in time for Valentine’s Day.  I will probably be giving away a copy in honor of that occasion-- and perhaps some other goodies suitable for the hearts and flowers season-- since I still have a couple of copies of Bedding Down: A Collection of Winter Erotica.  So be sure to visit.  Oh, and please don’t tell my in-laws about this book.  Please.

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 06:01 PM Permalink