A Six-Word Story about a “Significant Object”
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
We know that everyone has a story, but the online project Significant Objects believes every thing has a story, too. Started by Joshua Glenn and NYT “Consumed” columnist Rob Walker, the pair have recruited writers like William Gibson, Nicholson Baker, and Curtis Sittenfeld to craft significance for flotsam purchased on the cheap at thrift stores. They then sell story and object as a pair on eBay to determine whether a great story can make a random object valuable. Their findings say yes, and our newest Six-Word Challenge begs the question (with a extra special nod to original six-word story crafter Ernest Hemingway): Can you create Significance for this Object in just six words? The winning response will be published on the Significant Objects site, and more to the point, on its eBay store. Proceeds from that auction go to the author of the winning submission.
So what about this object, a lighter in the shape of small pool ball? What’s its story? You tell us. Leave your six-word story in the comments area below. The contest is open until Friday, November 6, 8pm EST.
[...] We couldn’t be more thrilled with the creative results of our contest in partnership with Slate (600+ entries), and the economic results are looking good, too: As I type, bidding on the Bar-B-Q Jar + Story by Matthew J. Wells is at a very healthy $54! But even before we had settled on a winner, we had decided that the response to our first contest justified another one. We didn’t simply want to repeat ourselves, of course, so we had to think of a new angle, a new wrinkle to add to our data set. And I’m here to announce it: The Significant Objects X SmithMag Six-Word Story Contest. [...]
I smoked and hustled. My mistake.
“To Rick: lighter,” read Felson’s will.
Pocket scorched, the break still loomed.
Right corner pocket. World blew up.
Planning revenge on the eight ball.
Behind the Eight Ball? Burn it.
The lighter came and went unnoticed.
Your friends will bowl over – guaranteed!
Rumored to be James Bond’s muse.
Warning! Not for pocket pool use.
Pool cue c’mon light my fire!
How would they know?
Warning! Will not work in pool.
Carl’s only billiards trick that worked.
Rack ‘m up, push to fire.
“Burn my pocket,” said sultry table.
“Flame Out”: Story of my life.
Cassette tape flapped in the wind.
Newest Boehner - Hamilton home tanning gadget.
Smoking and pool. Man’s greatest vices.
After pool table sex, smoked cigarettes.
Eyebrows gone. Should have read label.
Mel’s Pool Hall burned down. Ooops!
Today’s Hot Item! Lights on cue
Lost your money, swiped hustler’s lighter.
Love the lighter side of pool!
One ball lighter. Burned cue ball.
Insert in nose, light- Hair gone!
A reminder of every game lost.
Dad saves his father’s Carnegie medal.
It was a gift, he said
Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Silence.
No match for this one ball.
Airtight storage genie for fizzled romance
Had a ball playing with fire.
Heated pool match ended in flames.
Number one, then he quit smoking.
Ignite! The cue ball is coming!
Significantly round yellow orb loves you.
“Where’s the heat?” Fats taunted Eddie.
He put the fire out - again.
Inside, there are my lover’s ashes.
Pool shark. Lung cancer. Undistingushed obituary.
Ball shoots flames. Made Urologist appointment.
Americans buy anything. Cheap and plastic.
Light my fire; have a ball.
Knocked out for six, on cue!
Watch out - Yellow Peril flying low.
I didn’t scratch the table felt.
Combo. One lights the Eight Ball.
Pool-party bong lighter tricked cops.
Pool-party bong lighter tricked cops.
strange resemblance to my step mother.
Flame out
Light on
Hot stuff
FAIL: Microphone in a cue ball.
Worst invention? Romco’s CueBall Micro Recorder.
Get out of my corner pocket.
New hustling career doomed by cancer.
My wife quit smoking. What now?
Burns a hole in your pocket!
A flare peg in a round hole!
Come any closer, and get burned.
I’ll set your world on fire.
Goodbye rollin smokin bachelorhood: Baby’s arrived.
Ignitable balls? Great gonads of fire!
Hole-in-One really Lights up a table.
PBOCD: Portable Butt Out Cancer Device
Fire rolls, time stops, pregnant silence.
Recycled: From Billiards to Smokers…Green?
Don’t need 2 balls to Kill!
Pool shark smokes, ponders next move.
Pet Rock Wanna Be, #Pool #Fail
Pool shark flames out, plots revenge
I lit her cigarette. She’s unimpressed.
This thing is HOT for you!
Magic 8 Ball meets its match.
Gas Grill. Novelty Lighter. Adios, eyebrows.
Can’t tell. Spent time in Vegas.
Eyebrows growing back! Lighter for sale.
Apaloosa Forest. I am so sorry.
“Lemon?” thought the dachshund, “Hot dog!”
“Add an arrow … they need it.”
Dangerous. Combustible. But you like that.
Grenade: Don’t open! Told you so.
Flame out. Left holes. Hope Rises.
“Never again.” “Never?!” “Never.” “Gotta light?”
My little brother still has scars.
flamable device, created by a tool.
one ball lighter, left side pocket
I could erupt at any time…
Former #1. Burned out. No matches.
Lit hottie’s ciggy; she hustled me.
I’m yellow, but I’ll burn ya!
Warning: Ball flammable if over clicked
Got a light? Chalk it up.
Got a light? Have a ball.
The “Clicker”- 1 Click that’s ALL!
Violation of a perfectly good Ball!
Get the Ball Rolling…with Heat!
Warning: Flaming Ball- Click with Caution!
Danger: Flammable Liquid in 1 Ball!
Please, Don’t attempt to Cue me!
Read my lips; heat me up.
Is this the Official “Baller’s Trophy”?
1 Hot Click, does it ALL!
1 Click: Flame size does Matter!
Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity-Ball!
Ball in Flames leads Danger Ahead!
Wistful, I’m smoking his brand, too.
Click me at Your Own Risk!
Warning: Flame Action can Ignite Consequences!
Cue the Ball; Smoke the Hole
Blonde 1, Waiting to be Clicked!
Once you’re a Ball…never done!
1 Hot Ball ready for Click!
Mello Yellow….Click for a flame-O!
Always Hot #1, Never Hole Enough!
In ONE way, Flame out others!
4 Holes made 1 Hot Ball!
Ball with Heat… No Fingers Please!
Here For YOU, Light me UP!
took his lighter- he tipped badly.
novelty lighters are hard to refill.
What if pool balls had karma?
He smoked me, I just smoked.
1 Ball: Once Ignited, Always Lit!
Dying soldier. Last cigarette. Snookered again.
We’re all the same; everything burns.
We’re all the same; everyone burns.
Distinguished and Extinguished…Number 1 Baller!
Lucky stars burned out. Lighter sale.
Read message. Light flame. Destroy. CIA
Warning. New babysitter. Hidden camera inside.
Stop home robberies. Hidden camera inside.
My flames fanned fair “Franny Farmer!”
Sometimes arson’s the only way out.
One lucky strike away from home.
Some balls are hotter than others.
Old flame. Great rack. Plays game.
the golden ball by henry james
mellow yellow you’re the one
I love your color dear one
old flame. yellow. here and gone.
memorial souvenir of hemingway’s left testicle
czar nicholas’ long lost faberge lighter
hey old flame: nice tattoo
A jaundiced bowling ball I’m not
[...] this morning I checked in on the progress of our Six Words Significant Objects contest, in collaboration with SmithMag. In its first 24 hours, the contest has attracted 144 submissions. [...]
barroom smokers playing pool burn themselves
Barroom smokers playing pool get burned
She learned fire burns two ways.
Goodness Gracious one ball of fire!
Smoking was my cue with you
‘Joke’ lighter: One ball. Eight others.
Old flame. Burned once. Still available.
Rack ‘em if you got ‘em.
“Don’t play with fire,” warned Mother.
Murder weapon found. Maimed, then burned.
Stole it from my boss’ desk.
Billiard lighter. Anniversary gift. Doesn’t smoke.
End of the World: Escape Hatch
Slightly used: ex-boyfriend left: lighter, me.
Ex-boyfriend only left me lighter, used.
A smokin’ ball says it all
The flame was extinguished on cue.
lucky charm (except for pool tables)
It’s flame burned burned more than me.
It’s flame burned more than me.
Urologist’s sick idea of a joke post-ballectomy.
Urologist’s twisted gift to patient post-ballectomy.
My burned eyebrows, your warning arrow.
Benign model for what spewed hell.
fireball, corner pocket. others follow smoke.
My teenage son’s science fair project.
Number One Billiard Ball Candle Holder
Man with one ball lights cigarette.
Between empty pockets, one ball burns
Discarded. Lighter. After break, no scratches
Used. Lighter. Flame gone. Sometimes flickers.
One more game isn’t an option.
Recycled engagement ring - She found out.
Should have been a bocce ball.
Hence the demand for flameproof felt.
It burns still with yellowed nostalgia.
Kids these days! Always need excitement.
“God bless stickers,” Sue said, shaken.
Furious One took over the table.
Furious, One took over the table.
Who invited this one to play?
Never called him Minnesota Fats again.
Insert ring here if flame out.
Got burned. Didn’t listen to arrow.
Flame up, roll on, chill out.
Adam and Eve picked wrong apple.
One flame was all it took.
A flame to ignite our chances
One light. One look. One kiss.
Me flame out
Me need recharge
Pool cues to speed — Flame on!
Kitschy pool ball lighter — flamed out.
Place your dead matchsticks here . . . please.
He disappeared; I kept his lighter.
Father’s Day gift burns house down.
A little english, at jet speed!
Now that’s what I call english!
Birthday present. Doesn’t smoke. Hates pool.
Thus he rode inescapably into space.
Anniversary gift. Thrift store. Dangerous purchase.
“Unfit!” Clubbers attack. Dejected, I flame.
Last present Rauschenberg ever gave me.
Burnt fingers applied the final arrow.
future palentologists will find religious significance.
For some reason Hitler despised billiards.
Pluto replaced with new planet: Pyronia.
Our first anniversary. She doesn’t smoke.
The only thing hotter than Minnesota Fats.
Only thing hotter than Minnesota Fats.
If only I had a match.
For a memorable parlor trick, flick.
Shoot. My ball is on fire.
Willie Mosconi has nothing on me.
Oh speak to us, interesting ball.
Flame to signal mother ship. Busted.
Played with this lighter. Lost everything.
Found. Pool shark’s lighter. Missing parts.
Got drunk, now banned from Billiards.
Got drunk, now banned from Billiards.
Odd ball, old flame, no more.
Retired 45 record adaptor, seeking flame.
[...] Contest: Write a Six-Word Story about a “Significant Object”: “Can you create Significance for this Object in just six words? The winning response will be published on the Significant Objects site, and more to the point, on its eBay store. Proceeds from that auction go to the author of the winning submission.” Click through for details. Deadline is Friday. [...]
Batten down the crotches - flammable cueball!
Caution! Ignites unexpectedly. One ball lighter.
Flaming yellow orb. Not the sun.
Has seen 2 wars, 3 marriages.
Religious relic from Papua New Guinea.
Saved my life in the mountains.
I am the last ball standing.
Plaintiff’s Exhibit 3, Jackson Pepsi Commercial
Hijacking, my ass — *flick* . . . let’s roll . . .
His only flame that never disappeared
It never worked; he never won.
[...] If you’re marvelously pithy, you can enter this Significant Objects contest, wherein you need to right a story of a thing in 6 words or [...]
Come on baby, light my ball!
Only pool fools
carry such tools
pool tool fuels
cruel mule duels
Hello there. Is this thing on?
One cigarette; I was hers again.
I’ve always sucked at this game.
[...] up this week: If you haven’t already, you will enter our Six Word Contest with SmithMag, and perhaps join the ranks of Significant Objects contributors as a result; deadline is Friday. [...]
Shakily, he lights another—“I’ll break.”
I’m yella, but I’m no coward!
Another ball, another match in.
Put me in the side pocket.
Gleason: “To the moon, Fast Eddie.”
Blinded by fire; lost in heat.
He shot. He lit. He smiled.
Struck the ball. Saw the sparks.
1986. Flamed Out. Blue balls, yellow.
Don’t smoke; Just needed the Light
The one thing he’s buried with.
Never needed those eyebrows. Your rack?
The ORIGINAL Great Ball of Fire.
Hot News: Billiard Ball Steriod Scandal
Inspired Feliciano’s “Light My Fire” cover.
His later “objets” were called derivative.
Billiards masculinized me. What a lie.
There’s always something absurd to buy.
Strange fireball. Left a fiery tale.
Beat up lighter. Found in pool.
Nothing to tell - just quit smoking.
The Human Torch’s weekend lighter
Cradling his yellow baby—Optimus cried.
Yellow ball of flame lights game.
Lost my fire; found my ball.
I used to think labels unnecessary.
Sharper Image designer forgets his meds
“Do it!” he said. Did it.
Slightly Used – South Jersey – CASH ONLY.
I hoard and hope it’s useful.
1: HE pushed… “Let there be light!”
Careful, spits fire on both ends.
He held the lighter for me.
Comixx fired me for using props.
Unibal ventures out of pen sales.
Had pet tarantula for seven years.
The felt was scorched beyond repair.
I’m going crazy…I’m losing sleep.
Get the 2 have hot pockets
What would I do with one?
Was found in nun’s hope chest
Trade a glass eye for it?
Never called a game for darkness
revere beach summer night cheap thrills
Touch the flame-out hole. Touch it.
Pool halls. Poetry. Cigarettes. Misspent youth.
[...] 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment SMITH Mag, home of the six-word story, has launched a contest to see who could create the best six-word story for an inanimate object. I thought this was a [...]
how regifting got started, true story
butane ball plus impact equals disaster
glad to see, or ball in pocket
lemme have your ball, need light
taliban holiday gifts, free with membership
slices, dices and lights your reefer!
pool hall, lighter ball, thanks y’all!
Toy lighter. Found in crib. Used.
Found. Area 51. Giant gumball. Red-hot.
His burn-scarred visage grinned. “Trick shots?”
“I hate billiards,” he remarked, ablaze.
Sacramento Slim was banned for life.
Straffin’ Tu Do, “traded” my Zippo
caution colored lighter. no longer needed.
It makes your cigarette number one!
Light my fire. Lead my way.
This, as opposed to “flame in”
Product recall. Too hot and bothered.
I’m a pyro, not a shark.
Lost. Last Seen. Michael Jackson’s rectum.
Trade. Cigarette Lighter. For baby shoes.
Her dead hand clutched, this lighter.
Hide it Somewhere! And she smiled.
A warm worry stone comforts best.
He could never get it right.
He wore two year old fads.
It came back from Iwo Jima.
She has a crystal. He, this.
Big hit in his own shower.
The scamp chose an unfortunate toy.
It never quite worked the room.
People got scared. Stopped smoking.
It recorded office smoker conversations.
It heard all the petty complaints.
She had to leave him, now.
The last straw. Wrong touch, again.
Her favorite weapons looked like toys.
Unfortunate accident: not a pool ball.
Smooth and round, hot and dangerous.
In his drawer, after the war.
Color-changing ball prototype. Patent pending.
Limited edition Swiss-Army Billiard Ball
Dr. Doom’s anti-Human Torch billiard ball
Shattered window. Fiery message: “Done Playing!!”
Sizzling aim. Consolation prize. Shooting stripes.
Flammable pool tables were no match
Alien spacecraft. Booster rocket still works.
Hustlers were on fire that night.
Nobody saw the arsonist switch balls.
Fire ball in the corner pocket.
Two–fifteen, cool to the touch.
Fortunately, the “2” ball shot water.
“Fire ball…….colliding………Earth………remain ca..”
It rolled…fires blazed. Easy.
He understood. The game was fixed.
The flame out: cause or effect?
Fiery souled orb enlightens bad habits.
Stolen. Bond movie gadget. Q questioned.
Sharking Papa in Havana, Plimpton scratched.
“Nice work, Q.”
“Explosively sensitive, Bond.”
Anniversary gift: she misinterpreted my metaphor.
It’s yours now. Don’t be cautious.
Flame out? Reignite your life today.
Husband sought hot plaything. Game over.
Wife adored No. 1. Got burnt.
“gotta light? I SAID LIGHTER…oh”
[...] it’s 11:40 or after, and you’re a Brian Lehrer Show listener, here’s a link to participate in our Six Words contest collaboration with SmithMag. (Obviously everybody is welcome, not just Lehrer listeners.) Create Significance for the lighter [...]
Fire ball one. Over and out.
“Fire ball…….colliding………Earth………remain ca.”
This should keep the yeti away.
Tabletop curio: prehistoric alligator eye. Petrified.
The sun and I are cousins.
Me and the sun are cousins.
granite countertops + significance = luxury
(counting symbols as words)
She fired the shot, she missed.
Marilyn loved pool shtick… who knew?
Flaming glory, for sake of story.
The favorite lighter of “Minnesota Fats.”
This will make me more manly.
Won by Mosconi from “Minnesota Fats.”
Have a ball…playing with fire!
From Newman to Gleason, both Hustlers.
“Hadouken,” he announced, “in corner pocket.”
shiny, shy, serviceable, slight, subtle, seductive
I’m giving my ball to charity.
Burning for the felt lady’s touch.
Not so great ball of fire.
He racks. She smokes outside, waiting.
Pool hall Promethius, Pandora’s ball.
Looking glum?
Flip — Think –
Number One!
Scent of a ball of fire
Dad left this Mom, no note.
Found at Denny’s. Call me. Coffee?
And this, Officer, in the jacket.
007 and Cher shared my flame.
Coffin gadget to light the way.
Yes! I inherited Jackie Gleason’s lighter.
Flipped the switch; saw the light.
Hot 1 seeking cue for play.
Ignoring instructions was my first mistake
Put flame in. I dare you.
Dangerous gag gifts pleased her most.
Another novelty gift. He’ll never change.
Maybe a dirty bomb was next.
Pawned the cue for some crack.
Hustled twins. Combination. Kissing the one.
Burning hopes. Bad breaks. Ball bounces.
[...] is 8 pm Eastern tonight; we’ll pick a winner and publish early next week. Read/enter/do both: here. The significance of this object has been invented by the author; see the project description for [...]
The eight ball inhales for you .
Ironic use did not spare larynx.
Fifteen, and my mother never knew.
You left, my flame went out.
On cue, I smoked and played.
A hidden danger of nuclear proportion!
That’s one for (COUGH!) my baby…
Ball nestled in pocket. Big mistake.
His last light was my first.
“You lose,” she puffed. True. Again.
Keepsake urn…Eternal flame on cue.
The ball was found amidst ashes.
eight ball? nope but i burn!
Lewis’ “great ball of fire” muse.
His clothes functioned as a wick.
A glassy lighter for glassy eyes.
Never hitting lighter pool ball again.
Her lighter had no rough edges.
Fluid leak may cause disfiguring burns.
The drought caused the dry underbrush.
Shark turned pyro for more money.
Morrison’s. Pyro became a funeral pyre.
I didn’t fit in his pocket.
“…the whip!” “Throw me the oneball!”
Welcome to the ‘Ball of Flame’
Size really doesn’t matter-does it?
You thinking I’m a suicide bomber!
His last light became my first.
[...] soon), and (b) the week that we’ll announce the winner of the Significant Objects/SmithMag six-word story contest. Please visit us as often as you like… The significance of this object has been invented by [...]
[...] today we’ll publish the winner of our Six-Word Contest with SmithMag. And later this week we’ll post our 100th Significant [...]
[...] the five runners-up tomorrow. There were about 430 submissions, which make for fun reading, here. Once again it was a very tough choice, so big thanks to all who participated. We think [...]
[...] on this Significant Object, with story by (Six-Word Story Contest winner) Rob Agredo, [...]
[...] submitting more than 430 entries from as close as across the hall to as far as at least India for Six Words on a Significant Object. The contest was a collaboration with Significant Objects, the brainchild of Joshua Glenn and Rob [...]
[...] was, of course, an excruciating choice. Peruse the 400+ entries here and see what you think. Our runners up (in no specific order) are as [...]
[...] Hemingway story: “For sale, baby shoes, never worn.”) Read all the entries are here; if you’re the flip-to-the-end-of-the-mystery type, winner and runners-up are [...]
[...] wasn’t easy to arrive at one winner—scroll through the entries—or, more than 400 ways of looking at one thing, six words at a [...]
Where are the list of winners in the pool-ball contest?
Salvatore
hell of a lot more interesting than what I was supposed to be searching for, (cant believe I’ve got to work on a sunday!) came across your site by accident really and gave the thumbs up on stumbleupon. Thanks for the diversion! bp.
[...] readers of the Editor’s Blog might remember our Six-Word Story contest for Significant Objects: the online project that pairs cheap thrift store finds with notable [...]
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[...] culture that exists today. So if you’re well-versed in less verse, submit your suggestion here. If it’s selected, your prize money will be determined by the eBay bids for the object of [...]