Writing a six-word memoir... In order to narrow down a life into six words, a writer needs to begin with many words and ideas. Follow these instructions to complete a six-word memoir.

Start with a list List as many words, topics, memories, or personality traits as you can about yourself – activities you do, items, belongings, places you like, and feelings you have. Don’t edit, cross out, change, or rewrite words. Don’t worry about spelling – just write. You are going for quantity, so write as much as you can in about three minutes. You should fill at least one full page.

Example list: Mother, wife, happy, enthusiastic, camping, colorful, shopping, sea shore, reading, bedtime kisses, teacher, National Geographic, movies, traveler, dancer, laughing, runner, house music, Friday night, early morning runs, history buff, explorer, nagger, sunrises, kids, chocolate, restless, interested….

Now, circle the two or three words that stand out for you, the ones that you could say more about.

Example list: Mother, wife, happy, enthusiastic, camping, colorful, shopping, sea shore, reading, bedtime kisses, teacher, National Geographic, movies, traveler, dancer, laughing, runner, house music, Friday night, early morning runs, history buff, explorer, nagger, sunrises, kids, chocolate, restless, interested….

a 6-word memoir… Synonyms of topic words Mother- mom, maternal figure, mama Explorer- voyager, traveler, pioneer Restless- edgy, impatient, on edge National Geographic- magazine, explorer, adventurer Happy- cheerful, enthusiastic, joyful, content

National Geographic, mother, wife, restless, explorer, traveler, happy Pick your items and freewrite about the thought. That means you just start writing about that idea, object, role, or event. The only rule is don’t stop writing for at least two or three minutes. Whatever comes to mind is fair game. National Geographic, mother, wife, restless, explorer, traveler, happy

Freewrite example… I have always wanted to be world traveler, someone who takes photographs in every port and has them in National Geographic. Remember the photographer in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” That is who I wanted to be. But I realize that these ideas and dreams begin to reach a new ideal when I actually have to put in the work to do it. And I realized, I was too scared to do these things. Ultimately, I wanted to be a mom, create a garden, stay in nice hotels and visit art museums. I didn’t want to be that uncomfortable so I chose the easier but still fulfilling path of a degree in Geography and History. Now I got to study it but maybe not live it. Is it wrong for me to be happy living in Vancouver, teaching great kids, and being warm and dry in my classroom?

Synthesize As a result of the freewrite, you have a sense of your topic. Synthesize, combine the individual elements into an understandable whole, your writing into a phrase that captures the essence of what your topic means to you. It seems that after the free write, I was focusing on my “mid-life crisis” of not doing what I wanted to do when I was younger. Regret? Or contentment?

Brainstorm many options, playing with word order and synonyms Restless mother is finding contentment at home Explorer ideals gone in face of danger National Geographic photographer when I retire Chose comfort and motherhood over exploring. Old me: explorer. Older me: mother.

Six-word memoirs... Best Wordplay: “Meditation: Personal search engine via inner-net.” -trust2020 Funniest: “15,000 days spent considering a bellybutton.” -Anstey Most Sensory: “Hardwired for coupling. Short-circuited being single.” -TawnyPort Most Circular: “Dad’s baby now changing Dad’s diapers.” -eileenpat Best Metaphor: “Mouth to mouth couldn’t resuscitate marriage.” -Laconic from Six Words on Love & Heartbreak Most Self-Aware: “Won’t let magazines shape my body.” -songwriter Bonus #7—Celebrity Six-Worder of the Week: “Not funny. Funny. Not funny. Funny?” - Jimmy Fallon. ”Wishing sadness and geometry made sense.” - Grounded Clouds

Create a “poster” using the paper provided OR a powerpoint slide OR a word document. Put your six word memoir in bold, large writing. Add photos, images, drawings that represent your meaning.

Inner cowboy adrift on literate shores

Seeking home, balance outside a turbulent world

Post on blog If you did a paper poster, hand in to me  but take a photo first to post on your blog. Add your write up under the photo If you did a digital poster, post on your blog and TAG: 6WordMemoir For everyone- post your write up underneath the “poster”

Assessment- five marks for completion IF It has 6 meaningful words It looks like you made an effort to choose words wisely Your images match the words You did the paragraph write up and it is posted under your “poster”. It is informal but written with care. It has a TAG so I can find it.