In the 1920s, Ernest Hemingway bet ten dollars that he could write a complete story in just six words. He wrote: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn." He won the bet.
Smith, the American online magazine, invited their readers to write their life story in just six words, and the BBC's Today programme (Radio 4) has challenged its listeners to do the same. For the full list, go to Today's website (scroll down the right hand side for the link) but below are few of my favourites.
Try it. It's not easy. You don't have to write your entire autobiography - go back to Hemingway's example and create a complete, but short, story.
Dick Hadfield: Foetus, son, brother, husband, father, vegetable.
Neil Feldman: Bantam, Anglia, Midget, Alfa, Volvo Estate.
Clare Hobba: Unravelled career reknitted as baby blankets.
Heather Thomson: Head in books, feet in flowers.
Richard Merrington: Wasted my whole life getting comfortable.
Patric: Born London, lived elsewhere, died inside.
Robin Pickering: If only I had turned left.
Gillian Smellie: Ditched the map, found better route.
Pink Mini in coat at Bluecoat
Spotted on Friday night - artistic director of the Bluecoat arts centre, Bryan Biggs, with Mersey Mini in hand. He pulled the little book like a rabbit from his coat pocket, declaring 'I never go anywhere without one.'
Mersey Minis spark inspiration in Hungary
Szilvia Opavski, living in Hungary, came to Liverpool University in the 1980s; when she heard about a competition to write about the city for a new series of books, she raided her memories – and was published. Here is her comment about the experience:
It was not the book but the thought-provoking competition itself that made me want to come back to Liverpool for a visit. (I am working on it...) You know, everybody has tons of memories of the places he or she has ever visited. But these memories are hidden deep inside. Perhaps so deep they will never appear again. And this was the point when your competition shook me up and made me remember my hidden precious pieces of the past. I travelled back and started to re-live those forgotten days in Liverpool. It was the most unique experience I have ever had. Nowadays when everybody concentrates only on the future, trying to keep pace with the latest technology and new inventions, for me it was the island of peace to recall the good memories of Liverpool in the 1980s. I cannot tell how happy I was when I got published in Longing! It was a new experience for me that I could share a personal moment with a lot of complete strangers in a foreign country! All my family and friends were very proud of me (let alone my English friends). Yes, this competition has given me a fresh impetus to carry on writing some more non-fiction minis. Your competition has led to the start of a completely new 'memory' phase of my writing career.
It was not the book but the thought-provoking competition itself that made me want to come back to Liverpool for a visit. (I am working on it...) You know, everybody has tons of memories of the places he or she has ever visited. But these memories are hidden deep inside. Perhaps so deep they will never appear again. And this was the point when your competition shook me up and made me remember my hidden precious pieces of the past. I travelled back and started to re-live those forgotten days in Liverpool. It was the most unique experience I have ever had. Nowadays when everybody concentrates only on the future, trying to keep pace with the latest technology and new inventions, for me it was the island of peace to recall the good memories of Liverpool in the 1980s. I cannot tell how happy I was when I got published in Longing! It was a new experience for me that I could share a personal moment with a lot of complete strangers in a foreign country! All my family and friends were very proud of me (let alone my English friends). Yes, this competition has given me a fresh impetus to carry on writing some more non-fiction minis. Your competition has led to the start of a completely new 'memory' phase of my writing career.
Writers' debate
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"
- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner).
- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"
- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner).
Stephen King on books
The staggeringly successful novelist says:
“Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn't carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.”
(Picked up from John Kremer's Bookmarketing Tips newsletter - see link to site opposite)
“Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn't carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.”
(Picked up from John Kremer's Bookmarketing Tips newsletter - see link to site opposite)
Mac -v- PC ... a religious issue?
Entertaining piece by Umberto Eco (famous for 'In the Name of the Rose') speculating on the nature of computer designers and users. As a lifelong and evangelical Mac user, I am placed firmly in the Catholic camp, which will amuse those of my friends who know my religious sympathies (or lack thereof). Where do you look for e-salvation? Click on the Umberto Eco link opposite.
Score stars meet
Interviewees Ranulph Fiennes and Victor Greenberg met for the first time at the Radisson Hotel in Liverpool, when Ran came to talk to guests of Rensburg Sheppards – one of the sponsors of SCORE. David Owen (pictured 2nd left, below) of Rensburgs was delighted to introduce the pair before the lecture, and to see Victor signing a copy of SCORE for Ran. Ran then returned the favour by signing a copy of his autobiography for Victor in a positive flurry of ink.
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