Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Challenge & Guest Post News



Thank You

Heartfelt thanks to you all - my family and I were touched by your kindness regarding the death of my sister Wendy. The outpouring of love and support through your comments and emails was an encouragement.

My blogging schedule may be a bit lighter this month as we regain our footing, but I will be coming to see you all soon. I've missed you; you are a blessing.



Guest Post

On December 3 and 4, I have the privilege of sharing a Home and Away Post with Stephen Tremp of Breakthrough Blogs. Stephen, author of Breakthrough: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan, will share his writing wisdom here, and I get to share at Breakthrough Blogs.  I'm looking forward to it; hope you can join us.



Hemingway's Challenge

Someone once challenged Hemingway to write a story in six words. He wrote the following:

For sale, baby shoes. Never used.

Oh my. If that doesn’t leave you wondering what the story behind the story is, I don’t know what does.  Does it tell the whole story? Perhaps only Hemingway knows for sure.

Is a six-word story a personal thing? It would seem so. Only the writer knows what lies beneath the surface. But then, it could be open to interpretation. It could be based on fact or simply fiction. What do you think?

Six-word stories are an extreme example of word economy in action. What an inspirational, yet mind stretching exercise. Are you up for the challenge? Will you share your six word story with us?

Don't forget to stop back tomorrow and Saturday for the Home and Away Posts. Thanks so much. :)

Have a good weekend.

Blessings,
Karen
                               
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the author, Karen Lange. 

Photo credit: Twitchtoo  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/949158

17 comments :

  1. What fun. I like this idea.
    How about:

    Lost, one elderly cat, much loved.

    Textile student, hung by a thread.

    Escaped convict helps his victim's family.

    They sound more like Headlines for a newspaper. :O)

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  2. Hi Karen .. much peace for you and the family - a very sad time. My thoughts are with you all.

    I think I follow you on at Stephen's so his next tour of villains will be fun.

    I love this idea of writing a story in six words .. "snow comes - melts all thoughts away"

    Completely swamped us! We just can't cope ..but it's nature I worry about .. I'll be out to feed the birds later on .. Hilary

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  3. I've heard of the six word story before. Fascinating.

    I didn't know about your sister. I'm sorry. :-(

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  4. Hi Karen - Please accept my condolences for your loss. God bless you and your family through this time.

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  5. May your family find peace and strength in one another.

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  6. Hello Karen...So happy to see your post. Take each moment as it comes. Be gentle with yourself. I have missed your posts. God bless you and your entire family. Warmly, Susan

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  7. Madeleine,
    Wonderful stories! Yes, they do sound like headlines, don't they? I imagine they all might. Glad you shared with us. :)

    Hilary,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. Like the idea of melting thought. Stay warm!

    Jessica,
    It is, isn't it? I need to play around with it some more for something different. Thank you for thinking of me.

    Lisa,
    Thank you very much. Blessings to you and your family as well.

    Alex,
    Thank you. It is a blessing to have family near and far.

    Susan,
    It feels good to be back; I've missed you all. I think I will take your advice and take it slow.

    Blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  8. I am so SORRY to hear about your sister. If there is anything... I'm not too far.

    I was wondering about you. Big Hugs my friend :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  9. Glad to see you back Karen. Very sorry to hear of your loss.

    A six word story. I'll have to try that. Maybe this could be the inspiration for a new book.

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  10. I'm so sorry for your loss, Karen. Even after suffering great loss, I still never know what to say. I'm praying that God lifts you up and keeps you close.

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  11. Karen,

    Even as writers, none of us know the "right" words amidst great loss. May peace be with you, and it's so ggod to have you back---(even in smaller doses) :-)

    Jennifer

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  12. OOPS! Typo--should read "good" not ggod. :-)

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  13. Jules,
    Thank you. Yes, we are nearly neighbors. Appreciate the offer.

    Stephen,
    Thank you. Looking forward to our home and away posts.

    Joylene,
    Thanks so much. Knowing friends are there is a blessing.

    Jennifer,
    You're right, as a writer, I still don't know what to say in times like these. It's a gift though, to have caring friends.

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  14. I am so sorry. I missed the news about your sister. I pray for peace to you at this time. I've missed seeing you around. Hugs.

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  15. Karen- so sorry to learn of your loss. I can truly empathize as I too lost a dear sister. Stay strong...

    Best to you & your family,
    Clara.

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  16. Dear Karen,

    I have been sending my thoughts and prayers your way each day since I learned of your loss. It is so difficult to lose a sibling...my heart goes out to you.

    I once saw an ad that went something like this: "For trade: a wheelchair for a gun of equal value."

    Another one that made me think was something along the lines of the Hemingway quote, when someone was selling a wedding gown that had never been worn.

    The challenge I have with six word "stories" is that the context is left out. I am always looking for the context... for me that is where the story is.

    Many blessings and have a restful weekend,
    Saloma

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  17. Hi Karen, so good to see you back. I've missed your posts, too, as others have said. You've been in my thoughts so much.

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!