In honor of Shark Week, we’re showcasing Six-Word Memoirs that are as tumultuous as a summer swim in the ocean. Coping with visible and internal obstacles, these writers have managed to survive and emerge with all limbs (and six words!) in tact.
Best Internal Rhyme: “City streets made a concrete girl.” - Wench, with the [...]

From the powerful serves of the Williams sisters, to Jonah Lehrer’s resignation from The New Yorker, this week’s news stories have been filled with big wins and losses. These Six-Word Memoirs confront myriad forms of pain and gain.
Most Rebellious: “Lost virginity once. Lost innocence repeatedly.” - l8leigh
Most Timely: “Plagiarism can sometimes be undetected [...]

On Friday night, the opening ceremony of the Olympics not only showcased a performance that celebrated the world’s greatest athletes, but recognized each individual nation in the flagbearing ceremony. From the smallest and most remote nations, to the largest world powers, the march not only recognized athleticism, but diversity, pride, and the importance of banding [...]

From Hamlet’s famous opening line, to the answer of a simple knock-knock joke, it seems we are always asking or being asked: “Who’s there?” This week’s featured Six-Word Memoirs evoke a strong sense of identity and its importance.
Proudest: “Short. Black. Christian. Gay. Walking tall.” - Clay Rivers
Simplest Truth: “Writing brings me back to me.” [...]

While many of us have spent the week hiding from sweltering climes, the heat certainly hasn’t slowed the lively wordplay in the SMITH community. This week’s Six-Word Memoirs prove particularly punny, playing off references to books, songs and movies.
Best Wordplay: “Ate my words; swallowed many paragraphs.” - Bevvie
Most Self-Aware: “Hoped for Xanadu. Settled for [...]

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 [...]

This week, SMITH’s  Six-Word Memoirs went a little mental. Even before Dean6805’s Friday word of the day prompt: “slump,” something about the past few days seems to have pushed writers towards the dejected side of the narrative spectrum. If you’re feeling a bit lachrymose this Friday, know that this too will pass. Your story deserves to [...]

No matter who we are, what we choose to identify with is profound and important. This week, sports bars around the nation (and world) filled with eager fans gathering to cheer on their teams of choice in Stanley Cup and Eurocup matches. Whether we choose to support a team, quote a song or book, cite [...]

This week, readers around the world said farewell to esteemed author Ray Bradbury, while Natasha Tretheway was named the 19th U.S. Poet Laureate. As scientists uncovered exciting mammoth bones in Iowa, authors at SMITH revealed their own stories, confessions and fears in these Six-Word Memoirs.
Best Spin: “Not lazy, I’m a selective participator.” -  jamja28
Loveliest Metaphor: [...]

After a long weekend of Memorial Day cook outs, the Dutch reported plans to colonize Mars, a tropical storm by the name of ‘Beryl’ invaded the Southern Coast, and former presidential candidate overcame some stormy weather of his own. Here at SMITH, the authors of these Six-Word Memoirs forged ahead for themselves, sharing stories, celebrating [...]