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Book Ends - February 10, 2008 - 3 Comments

Six Word Memoirs

Six Word Memoirs

Posted by Eric

National Public Radio currently has an interesting feature on their website called Six-Word Memoirs. The images and text are excerpted from the book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.

The memoirs have a kind of word sonnet/haiku feel to them, and are inspired by Hemingway’s “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Is there any kind of literary merit to a book like this, or is it just a kind of vanity publication? Thoughts?

Comments

On February 11, 2008, Maria said:

I’m a fan of the miniature, so this sort of thing appeals to me, especially when the writing is paired with artwork. I certainly wouldn’t turn down a review copy.

On February 11, 2008, Eric Barstad said:

I imagine, as with anything, there’s quite a range in terms of quality. If it was just the “memoirs” without the art, the book would probably not be as worth while. Some of the “memoirs” are quite poignant; others, meh.

On February 23, 2008, Stephen Roxborough said:

i like this as a writing exercise, but want to know: is it cheating if one writes more than one 6-word memoir? i’ve written four in three days and i’m beginning to feel a little verbose. rox.

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