Six-Word Memoirs at SMITH Magazine

tonyglim says,

Nicely worded. Congrats on the MOTD!

tonyglim says,

P.S. Welcome to SMITH.

Dhani says,

That's great, butm while you're walking tall try not to trip`on LABELS...

JAD says,

congrats!

MO_Thoughts2 says,

Congrats !

Bevvie says,

kudos!

ClayRivers says,

tonyglim: Thanks for the kudos and welcome!

Dhani: One person's perceived labels, another's facets.

JAD: Thanks a million! Lucky first try.

MO_Thoughts2: Thank you! Here's to cooler temps.

Bevvie: Thanks! You have nice sixes yourself.

jl333 says,

Well done.

oopsalittle says,

Congratulations on a great memoir

Dhani says,

Clay: curiousity always kills the cat, but what 'facet' could placing a label on yourself,(or a label you inherited, like what I call the 'invisible tattoo' that is the label 'gay', -OR a label someone places on you) actually be? 'Facet'?

Dhani says,

Clay: later pondering on what I posted above I can see, metaphorically, what you're getting at. If you're a DIAMOND, then some of its facets are: body type, religion, sexual orientation, strength. Right?

ClayRivers says,

jl333: Thank you. If you like chocolate and coconut, may I suggest Sweetery NYC's macarella cookies. They'll make your head explode. =)

oopsalittle: Thanks! You have some soulful sixes on your page, I see. Bravo!

Dhani: I used the word "facet" as defined here—a particular aspect or feature of something. The above facets can be and are viewed as "labels" by a number of people, which is sad as no person can be summed up in a label. No one. But thankfully, there are more people who view those descriptors as mere facets of person. I do not see short, black, Christian, and gay as labels, they do not define me; they are merely facets, portions, of me as a human being. My point is this: we all have facets that others can choose view as labels. We can either proudly embrace those facets—whatever they are—and move through life with grace and dignity or fall victim to those who would take the shortsighted approach, label us, and run the risk of tripping over the very labels they would apply to others. You should get your hands on my book. I hope this helps.

ClayRivers says,

jl333: Thank you. If you like chocolate and coconut, may I suggest Sweetery NYC's macarella cookies. They'll make your head explode. =)

oopsalittle: Thanks! You have some soulful sixes on your page, I see. Bravo!

Dhani: I used the word "facet" as defined here—a particular aspect or feature of something. The above facets can be and are viewed as "labels" by a number of people, which is sad as no person can be summed up in a label. No one. But thankfully, there are more people who view those descriptors as mere facets of person. I do not see short, black, Christian, and gay as labels, they do not define me; they are merely facets, portions, of me as a human being. My point is this: we all have facets that others can choose view as labels. We can either proudly embrace those facets—whatever they are—and move through life with grace and dignity or fall victim to those who would take the shortsighted approach, label us, and run the risk of tripping over the very labels they would apply to others. You should get your hands on my book. I hope this helps.

Dhani says,

WOW! Clay Rivers I will tell you something you already know: You are a writer! Gracias for a very eloquent response to my questioning, and it doesn't go unappreciated! I agree with all your points. Mine is that when the word 'gay' is used as a pathetic label to defiine a WHOLE person, then that person is cursed with what I have called the 'Invisible Tattoo' still haunting millions.

I've yet to check your profile, the name of your book(s)?

'Meet God in the budding rose.' -DHANI

ClayRivers says,

Dhani: Thanks for taking that in the spirit it was intended. My book is entitled "Walking Tall." You can find it at Amazon.com, bn.com, on Apple iTunes, and Lulu.com.

Dhani says,

I like the title, but what is it essentially about, mate? You've piqued my curiousity & perhaps that of other memoirists.

ba_miracle says,

That is a brilliant 6 to summarize your book ClayRivers. I snuck the free peek at Amazon. That quote from M.L.K. is among my daily prayers...wishing you much success in that endeavor.

jl333 says,

I, too, checked out your book on Amazon. I read the reviews with great interest. Sounds like a great book. Hey, anytime you get 5 out of 5 stars...well that speaks volumes.

ClayRivers says,

Dhani: It's essentially a memoir. My memoir. It's about my journey to self-acceptance. Lots of quirky, fun, entertaining, heart-warming, and hopefully inspiring stories.

ba_miracle: Thank you. It just kinda "happened." If you like the quote, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy my adventures.

jl333: Thank you. Now all you guys (and gals) feel free to download a copy. [I hope I haven't violated any terms of agreement here with SmithMag. Sorry...]

Dhani says,

CLAY -again, you've proven very engaging to everyone on the board -no doubt taking time out for more important projects than Larry's SIX WORDS? I hope I haven't offended you, but I'm posting the following Memoir inspired by yours:

'ANDROGYNOUS. Olive-skinned. Christ-Identifier. Queer. (Immune.)

Thanks for the inspiration!

ClayRivers says,

Dhani: Thank you. I'm not offended at all. Engaging? Me? I'm just a newbie writer trying to find his way. Love the memoir and glad to be of service! Stay in touch!

Dhani says,

(While swinging on my hammock under the guayaba tree that fell down during last year's storm & was propped up with an iron bar, but it now laden with fruit, and I realized my above six words makes only 5! So I've removed the hyphen & to hell with it!)

Dean6805 says,

Clay, kudos on a well-written memoir, as well as well-spoken responses. I love what you said about peoples facets being merely individual characteristics of a whole. None of us can be defined by one term, nor should we ever. Thanks for your insights.

canadafreeze says,

Loved your memoir and the ensuing responses. Very well said, all around.

ClayRivers says,

Dhani: I don't know why your last message made me erupt with laughter.

Dean6805: You read it?! Oh, wow. Thank you! Very much. Thanks for your support. =)

canadafreeze: Oh, wow! You guys are serious readers here. Thank you!

Dean6805 says,

Allow me to clarify: I was referring to this Six-Word memoir; haven't read "Walking Tall" yet, although I'll definitely look for it in the Kindle store.

ClayRivers says,

Dean6805: Oh, yeah. I did write a Six-Word memoir, didn't I. [chuckle] Thanks!

Believe says,

I like to think of parts of your memoir to be merely descriptive words: short, black. These are words that could help me identify you in a crowd, your outward description. The others, gay and Christian, are more of an internal description. We get caught up on the word "label" when much of the time we are just trying to visually pick each other out of a crowd. These words you used, all four of them, are your description, not your definition. Keep walking tall.

espence says,

Very open and honest

ClayRivers says,

Believe: By jove! I think you've got it! Thank you. =)

espence: Grazie!