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Following the lead of the Six Word

Following the lead of the Six Word Story group on Flickr and Caterina’s prompt, Wired asked some prominent writers to pen their own six word stories. “Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words (‘For sale: baby shoes, never worn.’) and is said to have called it his best work.” Got any good ones?

Reader comments

RobertOct 25, 2006 at 12:37PM

Kottke meets maker, edits his posts.

gorckatOct 25, 2006 at 12:49PM

She used me. I stopped feeling.

DougOct 25, 2006 at 12:52PM

Blog read, comment left. World unchanged.

fRedlineOct 25, 2006 at 12:53PM

Snow fell, obscuring the toils of futility.

Dan BolandOct 25, 2006 at 12:57PM

My rapist was set free today.

peteOct 25, 2006 at 1:05PM

Doug's comment read, day made better.

peteOct 25, 2006 at 1:06PM

she left as he woke up.

Filip SalomonssonOct 25, 2006 at 1:14PM

Those six words changed her life.

Ryan GuillOct 25, 2006 at 1:17PM

six should be enough for anybody

the patriarchOct 25, 2006 at 1:18PM

Doc, it bleeds when I pee.

Ryan GuillOct 25, 2006 at 1:19PM

Classified: Seeking mute with trust-fund

sorry, couldn't help that one; the contents of this comment do not necessarily reflect the views of the author...

emilyOct 25, 2006 at 1:25PM

We met in a phone booth.

dpOct 25, 2006 at 1:25PM

Easy to write tragic love stories.

narniaOct 25, 2006 at 1:34PM

Asking alot of your brother's lover.

JakeOct 25, 2006 at 1:36PM

Six word stories not for amateurs.

panopticanOct 25, 2006 at 1:48PM

Ubiquitous nothing assaulted my negative ego.

TrentOct 25, 2006 at 1:53PM

She sat alone in the rain.

TrentOct 25, 2006 at 1:57PM

Also, this one...

Golden ring, found under a dresser.

Ryan GuillOct 25, 2006 at 2:01PM

He could... but can't. Too risky.

greyOct 25, 2006 at 2:10PM

And then he realized the truth.

KyleOct 25, 2006 at 2:15PM

Bedroom floor, used condom wasn't mine.

Mike L.Oct 25, 2006 at 2:17PM

Started car, noticed samurai indicator. Shit.

aaronOct 25, 2006 at 2:21PM

What happens when I push this?

Joe ReskinOct 25, 2006 at 2:22PM

Then she said, "It's my stop."

lavonneOct 25, 2006 at 2:25PM

My alcoholic ex-husband died last week. [true story]

AnonymousCowardOct 25, 2006 at 2:37PM

I love ex-soulmate: pain still

Emotional cryptanalysis: breaking code,heart slowly.

MartinOct 25, 2006 at 2:44PM

Born. Love. Live. Learn. Die Decay.

bennyOct 25, 2006 at 2:49PM

Let's pretend this never happened, sugar.

JonathanOct 25, 2006 at 2:52PM

We eye the precipice—no return.

JonathanOct 25, 2006 at 2:53PM

Within her cocoon, I was renewed.

mathewOct 25, 2006 at 3:09PM

some days just aren't worth it

Nonchalant SavantOct 25, 2006 at 3:52PM

My math deficiency has always plagued me.

DanOct 25, 2006 at 3:52PM

my first time was really great

DanOct 25, 2006 at 3:56PM

microsoft needs to get a clue

ardyOct 25, 2006 at 4:04PM

they eloped, then fell in love.

AjitOct 25, 2006 at 4:15PM

It was then did I realize...

DanOct 25, 2006 at 4:41PM

What happens after we pass away?

A child was born in Bethlehem.

Pain in my chest!? Ugh. [Thump]

She smiles so bright. Feels warm.

Input fifty cents output Mountain Dew.

Priest, rabbi, dog enter. Laughter ensues.

ScottOct 25, 2006 at 4:52PM

She broke my heart. I lived.

SuperJdynamiteOct 25, 2006 at 5:03PM

Me green angry. Stupid gamma rays!

Bob.Oct 25, 2006 at 5:10PM

Who's hand is that? Oh. Mine.

MoleOct 25, 2006 at 5:32PM

Fuck! That was not the plan!

MattOct 25, 2006 at 6:08PM

It all stopped when I died.

Jo Di MagioOct 25, 2006 at 6:41PM

Be lame, be stupid, be American.

dmacOct 25, 2006 at 8:05PM

Game winning touchdown wins football game.

MalOct 25, 2006 at 8:41PM

If only I had known earlier.


I always watch at a distance.

JulianOct 25, 2006 at 9:02PM

New rule: Six word comment limit!

Colin KOct 25, 2006 at 10:44PM

Hey guys, watch this! Aaaaaaaarrrrggghhh..... (thump).

Colin KOct 25, 2006 at 10:45PM

Kottke buys moleskine. Weeps from happiness.

clarence rosarioOct 26, 2006 at 9:00PM

Writer's block sucks: I got nothin'.

michaelOct 27, 2006 at 4:03AM

feeling needed was better than surviving.

TonyOct 27, 2006 at 6:56AM

He fell alone. I stood silent.

Shawn LeaOct 28, 2006 at 11:38PM

Cow died. STOP. Come home. STOP

She should never have married him.

Everything and nothing - it's all there.

He asked for his key back.

Gary said, "Have a good trip."

Second City. Second marriage. Second mortgage.

The snow falled lightly on cedars.

"It's good to see you...really."

caseyOct 28, 2006 at 11:48PM

What's that blue thing doing here?

ThiyagarajNov 03, 2006 at 4:36AM

I have the emperor's new clothes! :-P

SueNov 03, 2006 at 6:43AM

Happiness all-over me. Smiles come flying.

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.