Whether it’s the smoke from Colorado’s devastating wildfire or Tom and Katie’s flameout, there are sparks in the air as this week comes to a close. This week’s Six-Word Memoirs are ripe with longing and questions of identity. As for me, well, I’m listening to Stevie Nicks’ “Rooms on Fire” on repeat (if you can call refreshing a YouTube link that). I’m thinking about fires and what comes after them. Paradoxically, the destructive, rampant flames are actually needed in order for the forest to survive. And some days it feels like we have to crawl out of so much smoke and wreckage just to preserve ourselves. But it is important to keep going. Take a minute to read this week’s Six-Word Memoirs (and click on any author’s name for more stories). Whatever may be causing your world to rage, let’s hope it clears.

Wordiest Switch: “Lost poetic license. Found prose permit.” - Bevvie
Simplest Love Story: “He is going. I am staying.” - parisdreamer
Grumpiest Wordplay: “I put the mud in curmudgeon.”- L2L3
Most Elegant Wordplay: “So subtle I sometimes need subtitles.” - TeaTopper, Friday’s memoir of the day.
Most Playfully Self-Disciplined: “Giving time out to inner child.” - ctgoods2
Toughest Stance: “My poor posture mirrors my self-esteem.” - roaringsilence, from SMITHteens (profile image, above).

Plus: Don’t forget to spread the word about SMITH’s call for submissions of illustrated Six-Word-Memoirs by students of all ages, a new eBook with the TED conference’s new book division!

Tags: fires, identity, six-word memoirs