Michael Parkinson - Forum / Competitions / Life in six words

Life In Six Words

Michael Parkinson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:26:56 GMT

Legend has it that the great American writer Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a short story in six words and came up with: "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn". SMITH, an American online magazine, gave the idea a new twist and asked for a six word memoir of a life. They were swamped with ideas from the public.

The result is published as a book by Harper Press, price £10. I only came across the idea when I was asked to contribute to the book. I chose as my six word offering: "My next guest is Jesus Christ".

Blake Morrison the writer contributed : "Womb. Bloom. Groom. Gloom. Rheum. Tomb". A nine year old girl, who survived thyroid cancer, wrote: "Cursed with cancer. Blessed with friends".

The book is an extraordinary journey around the human imagination. From "Study mathematics. Marry slut. Sum bad" to "I like big butts, Can't lie". John Banville, the writer: "Should have lived more, written less". Ann Widdecombe summed up: "Bald, Brunette, Blonde, Grey, White, Bald".

It's the ideal bedside book and not a bad party game. How I wonder would you sum up your life in six words? What's the story in half a dozen words? Let us know and there's a free signed copy of my autobiography "Parky" and the the CD "Music of My Life" to the best three submissions. Just post your story in this thread.

life in six words

smallfish — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:37:04 GMT

I think it must be Family is all I’ve ever needed

Life in six words

jamesbloomfield — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:50:48 GMT

This is my shot at the life in six words competition, i think it coldly sums up life, as if a computer would be!:)

children today

grey5763 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:47:22 GMT

As a child psychologist, I come across many children and families who are in need of considerable support in getting through life ona day to day basis. I visit families in affluent areas as well as the most deprived estates and listen to stories where children are beating up their parents, smashing up their houses and disrespecting those who care for them the most. In many cases parents ask me with all honesty where they went wrong. 'I have given them everything they ever wanted' they would tell me. And looking aorund the room its seems to be true, in a material sense that is! The house is littered with disgarded x-box games, toys of every size, shape and hue, some looking like they have never been used, and perhaps they haven't, after the ten minutes of elation of having has passed. So are children really better off than those fifty years ago? Was it better when a child's only toy was a bow and arrow made from wood found nearby and a bit of string in the back of a shed, where they appreciated a hand-me-down jumper because they had been playing outside in the bitter cold beacuse there were no cartoons on tv that lasted longer than 30 minutes (in total) and were bored enough to want to create pottery out of mud they had dug up or made in their back garden? What were the essential values of children then and what are they today? It seems that by giving these days we are doing nothing but taking away!. Not so long ago in giving to a child we gave love, independence and hard but invaluable lessons, today these have been replaced by toys, games and electronic distractions. I wonder what our children today will give their children when they grow up?

My Life in Six Words

Barry F — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:36:50 GMT

My six words are: Hull City, Premier League: Dream Fulfilled!:)

your life in six words

Frenchie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:05:57 GMT

Two steps forward, three steps back!