“For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn”
Short. Powerful. Complete. The story above gives us a complete narrative in only six words. Although it is famously attributed to the great writer Ernest Hemingway, there is very little evidence that he actually wrote it. The tale of him writing it, however, was passed down throughout the years and it became the starting point of a whole new genre.
With the succinct combination of poetry and drama, Hemingway created one of the most creative and difficult-to-achieve styles of storytelling: the Six-Word Story. The ultimate example of flash fiction, this genre demands from the writer the ability to tell a complete story in only six words, not one more, not one less.
But what makes these six words feel like a complete story?
The Six-Word story should be able to convey an entire narrative in only a moment’s reading, providing a movement of conflict that gives the story enough dimension to carry the reader from beginning to end.
There is enough detail left out to allow our brains can fill in the gaps in between the three sentences and create a full picture of what is happening. Although many different versions of the story could be mustered by the imagination, the overall feeling of tragedy remains: the baby has never worn the shoes. The questions that arise from this conclusion draw the reader in.
There is a duality to the story that feels like it has both a structure and a narrative arc while also leaving a lot of room for interpretation. That, combined with a masterful use of pathos is what makes Six-Word Stories so effective.
How to write a Six-Word Story?
- Have a basic structure. Although Six-Word Stories don’t necessarily have the usual beginning, middle and end structure. There is no set number of sentences, for example. Hemingway told it in three sentences, but you could choose to tell it in one, or six. However, knowing what you want to convey in your narrative and setting up a starting point, a conflict and some sort of resolution, can help guide you into defining what information is relevant to tell the story and what can be left out. Once you know the structure, the actual Six-Word Story don’t need to be told in a set order. Notice how, on Hemingway’s story, the conflict appears last (“Never Worn”) while the part that conveys a sort of resolution appears first (“For Sale”).
- Create a narrative arc. Six-Word Stories may not follow strict structure or plot guidelines, but something that they all contain is conflict. The basic notion of plot is found within the six words. The story is has movement, one action that leads to another. While you don’t have enough words to create a detailed arc, you can tease the conflict and guide the reader into understanding the foundation of what you are trying to say.
- Start with more words. Drafting six perfect words into paper and creating a compelling and complete story at first try can seem dauting and a tad unrealistic honestly. While creating and basic structure and thinking through your narrative arc, it is okay to start with a few more than six words and revise until you end up with the best and most effective way to tell the story within the limitations of this genre.
- Use pathos. Humans answer to emotions, that is a fact. Pathos is a rhetorical tool that relies on using emotion to create a compelling narrative. Readers like to insert themselves into the stories they are reading and stories are always meant to make us feel something. In Hemingway’s story, for example, what makes it stand out is the hint of a tragedy that has occurred between the baby not wearing the shoes and the need for them to be sold.
- Choose your words carefully. A story told in only six words leaves no room for poorly selected words. Make sure you are spending time looking for the best words to convey exactly what you want the reader to understand. You can’t say much, so what you say has to be understood to a high degree of precision. Limit connective words and prioritize nouns and verbs that will add movement and action to the story.
- Leave room for interpretation. A great part of your story will rely on what is left unsaid. The reader will need to read in between the lines of what is actually written. Use that to your advantage. Create a story that lures the reader in through emotion and strong wording and let their imagination fill in the blanks and create the complete story.
As readers we tend to interpret stories as a mirror to themselves, conscious or unconsciously. The old idea of “we like the things we can relate to” stands true on storytelling. So giving the reader the ability to create the details of a story and in way make it their own, can be incredibly captivating for the audience.
The Six-Word Story genre, invented (or not) by Hemingway, can be a great exercise in concise writing, helping writers understand the value of writing succinctly and avoiding wordiness. It can also be a great first step if you want to start writing but are intimidated by the idea of writing novels or even short stories. Starting with only six words, while still practicing the use of narrative and emotion, can be a great exercise.
Other great examples of Six-Word Stories written by famous authors are:
Longed for him. Got him. Shit. —Margaret Atwood
All those pages in the fire. —Janet Burroway
There are several websites dedicated to sharing six word stories sent from readers around the world. Check it out here.
Comment below if you think you have a six word story to describe your life.