As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should write one. I said that my story would be much too short and rather boring so when I ran across the following book I decided it was just my speed. A six word memoir! Written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure is a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book, it sounds like a fun read! I’d like to start a six word memoir meme and here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4 .Tag five more blogs with links
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
It was actually a lot more difficult that I thought it would be, but here’s mine…
This too shall pass, I hope.
I tag Melynn at Breathing Easy, Sandy at My Inner Edge, Lisa at Books on the Brain, Janie at Ragamuffins, and Fighting Windmills.
If you haven’t been tagged but would like to participate go ahead and copy and paste this post to initiate your own string of the game, or post a comment with your 6 word memoir and I’ll post them later 
**Blonde Momentos added a link to Smith Magazine on her memoir post where you can go and leave your memoir, they are collecting them for book #2!
105 responses so far ↓
6 Word Memoir Meme « Breathing Easy // February 18, 2008 at 11:54 am
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible so the meme can be tracked as it travels across the [...]
mansuetude // February 18, 2008 at 12:42 pm
this looks fascinating… i will have to come and see what it gives birth to!!
in my heart, i think you have a bunch of other versions, too.
lisamm // February 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for tagging me, bookbabie. With just 6 words to work with, you really have to cut to the chase. Here’s my answer:
http://lisamm.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/6-word-memoir-meme/
janie // February 19, 2008 at 6:22 am
Delighted to be tagged with such an interesting idea,
just finding it very hard so i might be a while
bookbabie’s 6 word memoir meme « kt // February 19, 2008 at 8:07 am
[...] 19I’ve was tagged yesterday by one of my favorite bloggers, breathingeasy, who was tagged by bookbabie who just started a 6 word memoir meme fashioned after Not Quite What I was Expecting: Six Word [...]
imageguy // February 19, 2008 at 9:26 am
Daddy died, Mom cried, I lied.
Julie Stiles Mills // February 19, 2008 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the visit and the comment! Your photography (visited your website) is wonderful. I may actually try this meme. You’ve got me thinking anyway.
suz // February 19, 2008 at 3:24 pm
here’s mine
- really made me think for this.
http://sperlygirl.typepad.com/sperlygirl/2008/02/6-word-memoir-m.html
Six Word Memoir Meme « Fighting Windmills // February 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
She likes forts, I still do. « Whole Cloth Designs // February 19, 2008 at 9:58 pm
[...] 19, 2008 by wholeclothdesigns I was tagged today by Seis Manos, who got invited in by bookbabie , who asked her to join a 6 word memoir meme fashioned after Not Quite What I was Expecting: Six [...]
kt40 // February 20, 2008 at 1:37 am
bookbabie- thanks for the game what a challenge and what fun! Your words really seem to be coming from the woman in your photo. kt
Six word memoir « Scriber Rescribus // February 20, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[...] 21, 2008 by Suzanne Francis Borrowing, with permission from bookbabie, the following fabulous [...]
julia // February 20, 2008 at 3:33 pm
i had to try it! And i see you already found me
Here’s the link to mine:
http://lifesinterruptions.blogspot.com/2008/02/6-word-memoir-meme.html
rik // February 20, 2008 at 4:23 pm
so very clever, bookbabie! loads of fun. =] did you really start this yourself? kudos for the creativity! i’m really going to have to think about this and see if I can come up with something…
bookbabie // February 20, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Yes rik, I did, and it’s not even my book that’s getting all this free promotion
Do join in the fun!
News « Sonja Nitschke // February 21, 2008 at 5:20 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
MY SIX WORD MEMOIR « susan // February 21, 2008 at 10:37 am
[...] with permission from bookbabie, the following fabulous [...]
Six word memoir « Montana Outdoors // February 21, 2008 at 11:40 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4 .Tag five more blogs with [...]
Can. You. Do. It. In. Sixwords? « Minus the Spine // February 21, 2008 at 5:49 pm
[...] Magazine I have blog diarrhea today. This is cool: Smith Magazine’s Six-Word Memoirs. (Thanks BookBabie!) I’m going to think up something good and submit. It’s kind of a PostSecret thing. And [...]
Six Word Memoir Meme « Mom Voyage // February 22, 2008 at 9:31 am
[...] original concept is from a blogger who loves memoir. Hey, me [...]
6 word memoir meme « The Tragic Optimist // February 22, 2008 at 11:49 pm
[...] to write a 6 word memoir, and illustrate it with pictures, if you’d like. Here’s the original post about it, with back story, and rules and [...]
Morpho Designs » Blog Archive » Six Simple Sounds Summarize Self Story // February 24, 2008 at 10:14 am
[...] to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post , if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
Mondays Memes and awards // February 24, 2008 at 11:43 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
mondays Memes & Awards | Gratitude Journal // February 25, 2008 at 12:11 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Can You Sum Up Your Life in Six Words? « Don’t Date That Dude // February 25, 2008 at 8:30 am
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
Six Word Memoir « handwording // February 25, 2008 at 11:10 am
[...] with permission from bookbabie, the following fabulous idea: What would you say if you had to summarize your life in only six [...]
Memoir « Winged Paths // February 25, 2008 at 12:28 pm
[...] Hope My lovely friend Joan has tagged me to participate in a meme that originated way, way over here to post a six-word memoir on my blog. These are the [...]
Art is Beauty « Beautiful Explorations of Creative Passion // February 25, 2008 at 6:06 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
six-word memoir « Random Musings // February 25, 2008 at 8:20 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Memoir meme « Karma Web // February 26, 2008 at 1:19 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Six Word Memoir « Cati Porter // February 26, 2008 at 10:04 am
[...] with permission from bookbabie, the following fabulous idea: What would you say if you had to summarize your life in only six [...]
I’d Like To Thank The Academy. . . . « Dirty Little Secret // February 26, 2008 at 10:36 am
[...] Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
Memoir Meme « Miss Demure Restraint’s Weblog // February 26, 2008 at 4:39 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
memoir meme « god in a feather // February 26, 2008 at 6:17 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. tag five more blogs with [...]
Memoir Meme « Live, Love, Whatever… // February 26, 2008 at 6:50 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
6 Word Memoir Meme « Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? // February 26, 2008 at 9:13 pm
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
Six-word memoir meme « Adam Paul’s Weblog // February 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Six-Word Memoir « Pen of Passion // February 27, 2008 at 11:25 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
6 Word Memoir Meme « Bloody Hell, It’s a Book Barrage! // February 27, 2008 at 6:24 pm
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
tag! i’m it! « happinest // February 27, 2008 at 6:31 pm
[...] with permission from bookbabie, the following fabulous idea: what would you say if you had to summarize your life in only six [...]
Sarah // February 27, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Very fun. Link is here:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SmallWorld/489121/
If you only play tag with two people, one of you is always “IT.” « Poet With a Day Job // February 28, 2008 at 2:37 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Six Word Memoir « A Passion for Nature // February 28, 2008 at 6:33 am
[...] a visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
6 word memoir meme « KristinaMarina // February 28, 2008 at 10:45 am
[...] 6 word memoir meme February 28, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized — kristinamarina @ 9:45 am Tags: 6 word memior meme A great idea from bookbabie: [...]
Six-Word Memoir « DarcNess // February 28, 2008 at 11:43 am
[...] to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
kristinamarina // February 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thanks for a great idea~
6 word memoir « Book Addiction // February 28, 2008 at 6:44 pm
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
6 Word Memoir Meme | just me, and those other people in my head // February 28, 2008 at 9:57 pm
[...] Hemmingway, is that you pick 6 words to describe your life. I’ll post the original post from Bookable here and then post what I came up with below. As I read yet another book review of a memoir this [...]
enreal // February 29, 2008 at 10:30 am
This was a wonderful project…not as easy as simple as you would think? To condense a life into a memoir of only six words…brilliant, why waste time
rosieswhimsy // February 29, 2008 at 10:52 am
Excellent! I wanted to track this one back and see who started it. This is one really made you think. very creative. Thanks!
Rosie
» My Six-Word Memoir: A Poem - World Class Poetry Blog // February 29, 2008 at 7:22 pm
[...] this was discovered by Bookbabie who originated the current [...]
Six Word Memoir « A Curious State of Affairs … // March 1, 2008 at 3:53 am
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Greg Rappleye // March 1, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Done!
A Memoir in 6 Words « nunc-fluens // March 1, 2008 at 6:34 pm
[...] a visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Memoir in a nutshell « Poetmeister …on the road to Parnassus // March 2, 2008 at 6:03 am
[...] into six words. Hemingway wrote: For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. Now this bet was discovered by Bookbabie who started the six-word memoir meme with these [...]
SurfaceEarth // March 2, 2008 at 11:13 am
Meme…six words…how to define yourself? « Surface Earth // March 2, 2008 at 11:16 am
[...] Meme…six words…how to define yourself? Jump to Comments Meme, again? Enreal tagged me for a very cool meme. (My keen sense of observation has finally lead me to post a link to the original author: Bookbabie) [...]
Jill // March 2, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I was tagged for this meme.
Here is my post:
http://mrstreme.livejournal.com/36083.html
“Life is short. Smile a lot.”
Betty @ She's Sew Pretty // March 2, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Thank you for starting this wonderful meme. I really had to think about it.
Betty at http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
The six-word memoir « The Level 8 Buddhist // March 3, 2008 at 12:54 am
[...] to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
Miss Jean // March 3, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Thanks for starting this. It’s great fun. Not as easy as it seems.
TouchedByMadness | Self-Aggrandized Tales of Almost Greatness » Blog Archive » Memoir, Abridged // March 3, 2008 at 9:31 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
» My Life In Six Words - Action Adventure Fiction // March 5, 2008 at 12:14 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4 .Tag five more blogs with [...]
laketrees // March 5, 2008 at 6:07 pm
lovely image Bookbabie and your words …
I found myself nodding my head in agreement
Dawn Winton // March 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Bookbabie, the ironic thing about my meme “Constantly surprised at being a grown-up” is I’ve been one for a VERY long time. LOL. 4 kids, degrees, jobs, still amazes the 10 year old in my soul. Glad I found your blog, and website, I’ll stay in touch.
Dawn
Meme: Six Word Memoir at Stray Talk // March 6, 2008 at 4:26 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4 .Tag five more blogs with [...]
A Life in One Sentence « writing in the water // March 7, 2008 at 12:48 pm
[...] illustration of you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Juliette // March 7, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I was tagged for this meme. Mine was
‘gifted to share hope and love’
My post is here with picture!
http://juliette-m-m.livejournal.com/25661.html
Thanks for hosting = )
Kathiesbirds // March 8, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Here’s my Six Word Memoir at Sycamore Canyon: http://coronadetucson.blogspot.com
Kathiesbirds // March 8, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Here’s my Six Word Memoir at Sycamore Canyon: http://coronadetucson.blogspot.com
Mary Carlson // March 8, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Sorry for being so slow to link this - here is my link: http://medlibber.blogspot.com/2008/03/six-word-memoir-meme.html
It sure was challenging to do, but fun, too.
Memoir Meme « The Alternative Preference. // March 8, 2008 at 6:15 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
6 Word Memoir Meme « Ivy Arts // March 9, 2008 at 10:39 am
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible so the meme can be tracked as it travels across the [...]
Memes and memoirs « the Marvelous in nature // March 9, 2008 at 12:16 pm
[...] back to Wren’s meme tag. The current meme in question was started by BookBabie, after she read a book review of a memoir and her husband suggested she should write one (a memoir, [...]
Heaven-tickling sculpture of Virtue « Bitterhermit’s Hideout // March 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm
[...] into six words. Hemingway wrote: For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. Now this bet was discovered by Bookbabie who started the six-word memoir meme with these [...]
Me in six words (a meme) « Phil Wilson’s Mathematics Weblog // March 11, 2008 at 4:26 pm
[...] six words (a meme) Posted on 12 March 2008 by Phil Wilson The rules of the game can be read over here. The idea is to write a six word autobiography, or memoir, then “tag” five other [...]
Cele // March 12, 2008 at 11:39 am
Tagged by Chronicle of Tewkesburg Place
OhJoyitsme.blogspot.com
Errant Thoughts » Blog Archive » Agave Nectar // March 12, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
6-Word Memoir « Bazm-e-Tasavurat // March 13, 2008 at 11:11 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Is Your Life a Six Word Memoir? « Mothering Mother and More // March 14, 2008 at 3:30 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
Life In Six Words or Less « Sideon’s Sanctuary // March 15, 2008 at 11:33 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like. 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. 4. Tag five more blogs with [...]
The Sleepy Reader » 6 Word Memoir // March 17, 2008 at 9:11 pm
[...] was tagged by Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin?‘ for this meme which originated here: As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should [...]
libby // March 17, 2008 at 10:58 pm
i read an article about this and just posted about it myself. it’s absolutely fascinating, this concept!
http://chasinglibby.wordpress.com
Angie // March 18, 2008 at 11:04 am
Hi! I played too. Touch of the Phoenix
Natalie // March 21, 2008 at 12:24 am
Okay I played Trapped
Tea » two memes! // March 21, 2008 at 3:03 pm
[...] visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4 .Tag five more blogs with [...]
Six-Word Memoir « Life, Birds, and Everything // March 21, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[...] and Treehugger). It seems to have morphed into a blog meme at the hands of non-birding blogger bookbabie, who prescribed the following rules: 1. Write your own six word [...]
Destination AndyLand » Blog Archive » Six Word Memoir // March 22, 2008 at 10:14 am
[...] 1. Write a six word memoir and post it on your blog. 2. Add a picture if you wish. 3. Link to the person who tagged you. 4. Tag 4 or 5 others, with links, to keep it going. 5. Leave a comment for the ones you tag with an invitation to play. 6. And link to the original post about the Six Word Memoir meme. [...]
Laquet // March 24, 2008 at 2:36 am
Hello I was tagged by Andy (see above) and I have played - quite a challenge, just 6 words but my offering is here.
Dave // March 25, 2008 at 4:17 pm
‘ere you go!
http://osagegroup.blogspot.com/2008/03/muddy-boots-make-heart-light.html
Semicolon // March 26, 2008 at 11:03 pm
[...] a visual illustration if you’d like Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere Tag five more blogs with links [...]
Six Word Memoir « Meu Fado Meu // March 30, 2008 at 6:01 pm
[...] Link to the original post about the six word memoir meme. [...]
Memoirs in Six « Knit-Write // March 31, 2008 at 12:09 pm
[...] Memoirs in Six Filed under: Uncategorized — Anna @ 12:09 pm TeaBird tagged me for this! The meme originated with BookBabie. [...]
My 6 word memoir « this is my world // April 1, 2008 at 8:30 pm
[...] a visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere 4 Tag five more blogs with [...]
Six words sum my life: Imaginif child protection became serious business | Imaginif // April 3, 2008 at 11:00 pm
[...] if you want but c’mon, put it into perspective - it is only six words). 6. And link to the original post about the Six Word Memoir meme (done; thanks Bookbabie - a worthy [...]
Phyl // April 9, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I am thrilled you started this meme! I had considered doing it myself…lol.
My memoir is up….feel free to snag the graphic I made and offer it to folks to add theirs to.
OK, I’ll Play « Liquid Change // April 11, 2008 at 11:35 pm
[...] 12, 2008 Okay, Free to think, I’ll play the six word thingy, but I don’t have anyone to [...]
Phyl // April 14, 2008 at 10:16 am
Come and get ur linky love…
http://tinyurl.com/6qcyg3
Xandra // April 16, 2008 at 7:51 pm
What a great meme! Thanks for getting it started. You can find my response at http://heart-of-service.blogspot.com/2008/04/six-word-memoir.html
Xandra
A Memoir in Six Words « Truth is a Snare // April 23, 2008 at 6:52 pm
[...] this relates to us occurred when Bookbabie posted a challenge to the blogosphere to come up with their own memoirs, with the following [...]
Al-Duce // April 23, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Mine is “Have you seen my imaginary friend?” It’s on lj, but the entry is friend-locked:
http://lady-bedivere.livejournal.com/353156.html
Marchen Studios » Blog Archive » Six Word Memoir // April 25, 2008 at 11:16 am
[...] this relates to us occurred when Bookbabie posted a challenge to the blogosphere to come up with their own memoirs, with the following [...]
Melissa @ Breath of life // April 30, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Mine’s up!
Hemingway is DEAD! « Submerged… // May 1, 2008 at 12:36 pm
[...] Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original postif possible so we can track it as it travels across the [...]
6 Little Words… « Kspin’s Weblog // May 2, 2008 at 12:39 am
[...] have been thinking of writing a six word memoir about myself ever since I read Bookbabie’s post here about this book. I kept up on all of the links for a while and was so fascinated [...]
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