By Gabrielle.
If you only had six words to use, how would you write your life story? That’s task number one for an intense Chicago writing workshop led by Wade Rouse, with only one instruction given: Write as if your parents are dead. (I imagine that frees some people to write more honestly, but I’d rather have both parents with me and write less freely!)
Some of the responses from the assignment: Traveled world, wrote much, lost pen…Love to see my plants bloom…Always on the verge of something…I get writer’s block over six…My heart is where Bob is.
I realize I write blog posts every day, but I still identify more as a designer than a writer — and this exercise intimidates me! I was swimming in my kids over the last 2 weeks while they were on a school break, so my answer today would simply be Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, June. : )
How about you? Are you invigorated by the challenge? Six words, Friends. Go!
P.S. — Pretend you’re using a golden pencil!
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried to follow Jesus Christ.
My aspirational one? More of an epitaph, perhaps, than a life story because it’s something of a life’s work:
Made the most of every moment.
Wow! I’m inspired by both Kelly and Kate’s responses…. and now I have “six words” writer’s block. Can’t wait to see what others come up with :)
i am in love with life
Life shared with family is sweet. You could also replace family for friends or anyone else… for me it would definitely be my husband and little boy. I also like Kristin’s reply above.
I have always wanted my epitaph to be — I loved and am loved, abundantly.
Consumed in heart, soul, and mind.
I’ve been thinking about writing a lot lately and giving myself small writing assignments. So perfect!
I believe in my lucky star.
Oh so tired but very happy.
Her own quiet evolution evolved humanity.
I am still figuring it out!
Chris, Taylor, Tegan Happily Ever After.
Or more eloquently:
I found my happily ever after.
:)
I’ve lived, I’ve learned, I’ve loved.
Mama, wife, writer. Aiming for grace.
My family is my biggest treasure.
Together forever always, Melissa, Andrew, Julia.
SO HARD! what a fascinating writing experiment!
Big dreams, small life, still content.
Perfect!
Still trying to change the world!
Seriously though I love the one above, sometimes I feel me life is so small but I am happy.
Counting the blessings and being grateful.
I love this! And the responses above as fabulous. I’m not sure of my quite yet but kristin’s is pretty close to what I’m going for. I am in love with life. :)
Expected miracles, got what she expected.
What a fantastic exercise!
ps I can’t wait for that day when my six words can all be sweet children…or maybe a few children, a husband, and a dog;)
Letting insecurity win since the 1980s.
It sounds like a slogan for a very sad business. LOL
There’s no place like home.
I think that mine would be “More than yesterday, less than tomorrow.” :) It’s not originally mine, its borrowed but I like it a lot plus it fits the exercise. :)
In my head and my heart
What a fantastic, thought-provoking exercise! Thank you for sharing the link to the article.
I’m a former military brat (who lived in Taiwan and Germany as a child), late bloomer (I married at 35 and had my first child at 38), and another aspiring writer (I started a writers’ group several years ago). So here’s mine: satiated wanderlust, settling down, starts writing
love it Liz!
This isn’t mine but it popped in my head LOL:
A kid at heart, old fart…sorry guys
uuuhhhhhhm…
Grace and whimsy, humbly with strength
Young at heart, love art
Love and respect all life forms
(I am…) grace, whimsy, faith, love, honesty, courage
With God I can do anything!
okay this IS hard…still thinking…♥
“I came to live out loud”
From the Emile Zola quote:
If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.
I really like this :)
open mind, full heart, peripatetic soul ~
Greg and Charlie gave me purpose.
Daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, student
Remembering always this too will change
Love this one.
Watching the world with children eyes.
The beginning, the middle, the end.
I dreamed of becoming a mom.
Everything I need is right here.
Hard to choose just one. Right now our family slogan is Learn, Do, Be– wish I could think of something pretty about learning, doing, becoming.
What I hope for:
Stood for something, loved everyone, lived.
Noticed the unnoticed, friended the friendless.
Love all the answers. Thanks for inspiring me, Gabby and everyone else! (I loved your answer Gabby– so beautiful)
Kindness breeds happiness tears, and fulfillment.
To breathe clearly for my four.
One tired mom trying her best
It’s always getting better and better.
I wonder where the years went. (I’ll be sixty-one in two days.)
It’s difficult to choose just six words. My mother had a good one. (She grew up during the Great Depression.) She is with God now, so I’m saying this one for her.
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
Learning something new from a child.
Bad at following instructions