Besides writing for kids, I’m raising them, too. (You may have already figured this out by the blog title. I’m not that full of surprises.)
Two years ago I won a Six-Word Momoir contest from Smith Magazine, and now another one of my Momoirs is featured in their new book It All Changed in an Instant: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure:
Wanted independence but had two dependents.
Probably would have sounded better if I went all Duggar and said nineteen dependents, but I digress…
Sometimes we need a break from our current manuscript, but we still want to write. Well, what better way to be succinctly witty and wittily succinct than by writing six-word memoirs? Picture book writers are expected to write short, so here’s the ultimate exercise. In my case, I’m sticking to momoirs. Here’s a few to get your creative sixes flowing:
Woman with awesome body becomes homebody.
Two words bring joy: “She pooped!”
You really do become your mother.
How many years until Kindergarten begins?!
Naptime: my favorite time of day.
Wake me up when they’re grown.
Stuffed animals must breed at night.
Motherhood should require an entrance exam.
Hug tight. The years move fast.
Say “yes” as often as possible.
Except when muddy nightcrawlers are involved.
Grant wishes. Encourage dreams. Inspire hope.
Give birth. Give lessons. Give freedom.
OK, I apologize for the poop. I have no reason to sink that low. But I do have something to tell new mothers in six words: “Stay far away from rice cereal.”
So, give it a shot. If you’re a parent or not, try a six-word memoir. I expect to see at least six below in the comments!
10 comments
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March 18, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Kerrie @ How to Be an Author
Every day a new dream begins.
March 18, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Jim Hill
His giggles deliver grins every time.
We read that story twelve times.
Of course Yoda could play guitar.
(that one comes with a photo http://twitpic.com/19f8eb)
March 19, 2010 at 8:06 am
Corey
You bite me, I’ll bite you! (kidding, kidding, of course!)
March 19, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Jacqui
Knew how to parent perfectly. Before.
Brilliant story idea! Must write. Zzzzzz.
March 20, 2010 at 6:37 pm
katswhiskers
If I could bottle every stage…
Babies, toddles, boys… love them all!
March 20, 2010 at 6:56 pm
katswhiskers
Err… ToddleRs!
Make that: Babies, toddlers, boys… love them all!
March 20, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Minimal Memoirs « Kathryn Apel
[…] My friend Karen Collum first mentioned the six-word memoir on her blog. This morning it popped up again – as a six-word ‘momoir’ on Tara Lazar’s site. […]
March 21, 2010 at 6:51 am
Barbara
They get older. It gets harder.
They leave home. You feel empty.
College bills arrive. You feel sick.
(I LOVE Corey’s) That works y’know.
March 22, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Beth Coulton
Savor every moment; soon they pass.
Boy, girl, boy; extensions of me.
Enjoy free public school; tuition’s coming.
Teenagers: Young children with adult problems.
March 24, 2010 at 2:50 pm
thmafi
hehehe so cute! thanks for sharing!