The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly. - Orson Scott Card
Please, this is everything, I swear. - Orson Scott Card
I saw, darling, but do lie. - Orson Scott Card
Some of my other favorites:
I’m dead. I’ve missed you. Kiss … ? - Neil Gaiman
Kirby had never eaten toes before. - Kevin Smith
Easy. Just touch the match to - Ursula K. Le Guin
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so. - Joss Whedon
Will this do (lazy writer asked)? - Ken MacLeod
Sorry if this has been posted. - Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Steve ignores editor's word limit and - Steven Meretzky
Dorothy: "F**k it, I'll stay here." - Steven Meretzky
Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer? - Eileen Gunn
From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings. - Gregory Maguire
Epitaph: Foolish humans, never escaped Earth. - Vernor Vinge
It cost too much, staying human. - Bruce Sterling
We went solar; sun went nova. - Ken MacLeod
K.I.A. Baghdad, Aged 18 - Closed Casket - Richard K. Morgan
Heaven falls. Details at eleven. - Robert Jordan
Life unfair, death impartial. - Stone_Wolf_
Posted by Omega M. (Member # 7924) on :
quote:Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best work.
In my opinion, that's not a story, it's a suggestive image. Whenever a writer says that something that short is one of the greatest things ever written (or at least that he/she has written), I wonder if he/she is just rationalizing not being able to come up with something of decent length (e.g., when Gertrude Stein said of her "a rose is a rose is a rose" that it marked the first time in a few hundred years that a rose was really present in English literature).
I did find most of the six-word "stories" vivid and memorable for what they were. I was surprised to see a bunch by Steve Meretzky in there (scroll to the bottom). (Steve Meretzky wrote Planetfall and other classic text adventure computer games.)
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Leia: "Baby's yours." Luke: "Bad news…" - Steven Meretzky
Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
They don't all follow the "beginning/middle/end" prescription. But hey, let them eat cake.
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega M.: In my opinion, that's not a story, it's a suggestive image. Whenever a writer says that something that short is one of the greatest things ever written (or at least that he/she has written), I wonder if he/she is just rationalizing not being able to come up with something of decent length (e.g., when Gertrude Stein said of her "a rose is a rose is a rose" that it marked the first time in a few hundred years that a rose was really present in English literature).
Given how many longer works both Hemingway and Stein came up with, I find it hard to believe that would be the reason.
(For my part, I'd say that writing short is much harder than writing long. The toughest part of writing isn't finding things to put in, it's taking things out. At least in my experience.)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Of those posted, Card and Whedon's are the best.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I saw, darling, but do lie. - Orson Scott Card
I don't get it...
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
"The hero saves the day, almost." Dan Raven.
(Kat, someone got caught red handed beaking her darling's heart)
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote:Machine. Unexpectedly, I’d invented a time - Alan Moore
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Oh! Thanks. Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
These are fun:
"Look, a Time Machine!" "Where?" "Yesterday."
Leia's furry son was not Han's.
John F. Kennedy, time traveling suicide.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Hah, I like the last one of yours, Dan.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Please forgive my refusal to forget.
---
He mistook her repugnance for indifference.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Hamlet--To be or? Fate--Not!
God loved everyone, but Herbert Gumbleschnitzle
The vulcan cried as logic died.
Sherlock, "School of vandals? Elementary Watson"
Posted by Shepherd (Member # 7380) on :
From the minds of Shepherd and crystal-city:
Trees standing tall, strong, then him.
If only happy endings, would stay.
Steaming bowls, howling winds, where's Uncle?
Man on dog is pretty weird.
Riding cheetah, seeking castle, guessed movie?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Their deaths annoyed her more than him.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
One word too many. You lose.
"Anchorman murdered. Film at eleven. ? AAAaahhhhh!!!"
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
I love David Brin's. And Joss Whedon's is hilarious.
quote:Temporal recursion. I'm dad and mom? - David Brin
quote:New genes demand expression -- third eye. - Greg Bear
*note to self: read more Greg Bear*
Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
A few I wrote and attributed to others:
"Evil is coming! Let's fight pointlessly." — George R. R. Martin
Nine books to make dragons mate? — Robin Hobb
"It wasn't a game? I'm horrible." — Orson Scott Card
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Good ones Rat!
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
I wonder if this 6 word short story thing is inspired by, "We came, we saw, we conquered."
That is my favorite 6 word story, and I think it has all the elements of a basic story.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
She forgot that she should grieve.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
"Deja vu, dear." "Cripes, Not again!"
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
These are great. And hard. I'mma try to think of some.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
My own, from OSC literature:
"A child with powers? How Original!"
"Dysfunctional family background, still wants kids"
to Mr. Card, keep giving us more books!
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Knife-edge bad place for dancing.
Oracle: "Oedipus, your will be done."
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Intergalactic spiders live in our sun.
Mars mission six weeks too late.
Chef's specialty is chicken ala regrets.
The bullet not fired is sacred.
Oh crap! Robots have feelings too.
Armagheddon suprisingly good time for clog-dancing.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Died October 31, 2006, 2008, 1745
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
More six-word versions of Orson Scott Card novels. See if you can name the books
1. They mutilate, but plant no trees.
2. The alien calls, my will fails.
3. My body disgusts me. Die, Anderson!
4. What is Old Slavonic for "bitch"?
5. Hate the haunting, love the ghost.
6. Pain has returned. Let me explain.
7. I married Joseph Smith. You too?
8. Computer's busted. Time for a war.
9. CENSORED! That book's not out yet.
10. Someone screwed with my songbird's brain.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Mom, a major's here for you.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
1. Speaker for the dead 2. Wyrms 3. Ender's Shadow 4. Shadow of the Giant? 5. Homebody 6. Hart's Hunt? 7. Woman of Destiny/Saints 8. Ender's Game? 9. Empire 10. Songmaster
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by lem: I wonder if this 6 word short story thing is inspired by, "We came, we saw, we conquered."
That is my favorite 6 word story, and I think it has all the elements of a basic story.
I thought it was "I came, I saw, I conquered", no? And the original is only 3 words.
The shortest science fiction story I ever saw was only 3 words, actually. It was called "The Sign at the End of the Universe", and it consisted of the words "This End Up" printed upside-down.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
6 is Worthing Saga.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
6. is The Worthing Saga.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Beat ya. And check that out, blazed right past 5000. Hmm.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
4. Enchantment
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
My bullet lodged between his hearts.
Lightening danced on his left shoulder.
Her voice cracked stone and hearts
She lied. He died. She cried.
Cupid slept. Destined love died unborn.
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
You guys are still missing #8 and #3, I believe ...
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
8. Children of the Mind
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Nope.
Though to be fair, my dad missed that one, too Must not be clear enough.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
#8, pick your book from the Homecoming series... probably the second.
(I think it's obvious just can't remember precisely which book...)
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Actually, yeah, it could be either of the first two. I was thinking of Memory of Earth, though, where the idea of a busted computer leading to war was introduced.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
#3 CotM?
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
The Ender series isn't the only one with people named Anderson.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Yeah but wasn't #2 (of homecoming series) where they actually started fighting on a more global scale? (I can't keep those titles straight for some reason)
[ October 25, 2006, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
re: #3 You've got to have the character die before the story is over.... are you sure we are talking about your dad's books?
AJ
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Sure, but my point is that #3 is not a book from the Enderverse.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:Though to be fair, my dad missed that one, too
*laugh* That is heartening.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I have a suspicion that #3 is one of the OSC books I haven't read and am saving for a rainy day.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
My own 6-word attempt:
Entropy or Karma? It doesn't matter.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
#3 -- Treason
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
yup... haven't read it yet.
AJ
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Friendly ghost becomes much less so.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
The only wall left read 3'10"
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Ninja space pirates have existential crisis.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
#3 is Treason (or: A Planet Called Treason)
EDIT: Yes, I answered before reading the second page
-Bok
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
A series of semi-contiguous events occur.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
A series of semi-litigious events occur. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
He sued to heal his heart.
Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
Shepherd, Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle. I can't ignore a good reference when I see one.
6-word epics:
They won the Trojan War, eventually.
He found his way home, eventually.
He settled down in Italy, eventually.
They got kicked outta Eden, eventually.
He chopped her hair clean off.
He righted some wrongs in France.
He hunted the great white whale.
He stopped the world's motor, eventually.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
He rued to heal his heart.
Subversive butcher creates Sausage of Babel.
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Yay dkw and Bokonon!
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
He loved. She lost. They wed.
The swing. Smack. Going, Going. Gone.
If looks couldn't kill, she could.
He was a friendly psychopathic killer.
Blood, screams, terror... A great honeymoon.
Daryll demanded cash. He got lead.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Other 6-Word epics
Road trip to Mount Doom.
Priest King seems immortality. Finds snakeskin.
Napoleon invades Russia, inconviences many.
Somethings rotten in Denmark. Everyone dies.
Lion King takes White Queen.
Boy meets girl. They both die.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Zombies break into song and dance.
He never forgot their anniversary again.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Sock full of quarters saves marriage.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
quote:Road trip to Mount Doom.
Hey, how about a lift, eagles?
Posted by JimmyCooper (Member # 7434) on :
Ate Ramen. Killed by noodly appendage.
Gang fight! Guns, knives, glass, ......pillows?
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
Oh! I want to try too.
The plan hadn't originally been genocide.
To the begining! We're going again.
There goes hope; dust and echoes.
The problem with America is Americans.
What's the deal with airline food?
Hmm... Probably needs a little work.
I feel like I'm writing Haikus.
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Life unfair, death impartial.
Lonely boy, finds love, very complicated.
World ends, no one notices.
Sleeper awakens, looks around, falls asleep.
Government run by people, for persons.
Money murders decency, clocks everywhere applaud.
Extremests kill for God, God weeps.
(sorry, feeling a little dark this AM)
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
He...Could...Go...All...The ...Way
I remember dying, it was fun
Wrote essays, conquered Earth, Had children
Do not push, I wonder what......
Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
The bear was faster than me.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Boy meets girl. Boy gets disease.
Lost wallet, found hope.
Lost dog found at his throat.
Kitten Grenade thown in dog pound.
but the overall winner, of all time, is:
"Boy meats girl."
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
You? Impossible. My child is young.
Her kiss still tasted of gravesoil.
Drink unwashed handkerchief soup, and live.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Hey! Who's bumping this old thread?
Oops. I'll be behind the ficus.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Growing Season! Pray we find desert.
Golems protect us from sentient robots.
I beat the devil at DanceDanceRevolution.
There was nothing behind her eye.
Curiosity killed cat, then ate it.
Raising the dead to wash windows.
Sphinx sneezes as the pyramids return.
An accident? But he's not right-handed.
Something dark is after the Nightdancers.
Demonic possession is 9/10s of the law.
No escape except learning to fly.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Shall we dance? They did. Forever.
Stars shone bright. Then- big surprise!
At first there was nothing. Except...
Is it true what they say?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
The petunia pot thought, "Not again."
Your watch won't pay for it.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Singing in the Reign of Attila
Word War III, The musical.
Conquering the world on a budget.
I assissinated the Dictator of Newark
Time loops grow into time paisleys.
Men are from Mars. So's Hilda.
Wikki Googles Yahoo on AOL.
Posted by Reshpeckobiggle (Member # 8947) on :
Songs being sung by people singing.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo
Posted by Steev (Member # 6805) on :
Whenever someone farts, poop gets wings.
My brain, his head, new person.
When she died, we ate potatoes.
[ November 02, 2006, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Steev ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
His wife? But he isn't married.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
She cheated with her husbands boyfriend.
Robots in love flatten Dallas.
Cleveland destroyed. There is much rejoicing.
God commands. Man disobeys. The end.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
The escape pod only holds four.
"Don't bother. Your phone won't work."
Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :
Robots have feelings too, since when?
Robots have feelings and guns! Nooooo!
Black and Decker develops robot anti-depressant.
No air, no power, goodbye world.
Houston, we have a problem.
Child genius saves world with war-games.
(Good ones Kat)
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
In responce to: Episode 1
God commands. Man disobeys. The end.
we get Episode 2
Man disobeys. God loves. The begining.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
to Mr. Card, keep giving us more books!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
And check that out, blazed right past 5000. Hmm.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)