"Urban hippie loves sunshine and rain," by Grace A.

After a trip back to my hometown this spring, where I worked with three classes of sixth graders and Mrs. Nixon’s third graders, which created this amazing six-word memoir book of their own, I was asked to talk to students at my high school in Moorestown, NJ. It’s slightly surreal to return to the place you came from as a quasi-celebrity (emphasis quasi;); my first attempt at journalism was a movie review for The Voice, my high school newspaper. I went on to edit that paper, one advised by the uber-cool Perri Geller, who now goes by Perri Geller-Clark, and remains the adult heart and soul of the public school’s journalism program. I saw her, and a few other familiar faces last week—what a kick.

But the biggest kick was seeing some 80 new faces, students who were interested in writing, or storytelling, or just wanted an excuse to bust out of their other classes so hear some old guy tell his story (including how I was once suspended for broadcasting a simulated sex tape over the school’s PA system; good times). When I was done yapping, I asked them for their story (in, of course, six words), and they shined. Above is a lovely six-word memoir from Grace, who reveals, “Urban Hippie Loves Sunshine and Rain.” Below are a few more six-word memoirs from MHS teens. If you’re reading this MHS—or any teens for that matter—make sure you submit your six-word memoirs at SMITHTeens. And thanks for not throwing spitballs.

We just heard from the New York-based Writopia Lab, a community of young writers, ages 9-19, who come together to develop short stories, journalistic pieces, personal essays, poetry, and dramatic and comedic scripts. In other words, these kids love storytelling in its many shapes and forms. Founder Rebecca Wallace-Segall recently sent over an incredible list of six-word memoirs from Writopia. “They loved developing these,” emailed Wallace-Segall. “Many have been featured on your site over the last weeks. It means so much to us and to them. Thank you especially for creating such a meaningful (and fun) literary event.”

From “”Cried hard on the indifferent bed” to “She’s blind, we love to talk” to “Grandma’s blue veins emboss her skin” the words from the Writopia kids are personal, insightful, and poignant—exemplifying all that’s possible when teens take the six-word memoir challenge. On October 14, Writopia’s six-word memoirists will be reading at the Barnes & Noble in the NYC’s West Village, and nine others will be reading excerpts from their short stories and memoirs. After the jump, read what emerged from the minds of 16 teens, six words at a time.

Louis Evans, 17
1. What do I admire? Minimalist writing.
2. Despair is a funny, beautiful thing.

Yael Wiesenfeld, 16
1. High school: “this too shall pass.”

Dan Ross, 14
1. I always lose my classmates’ pencils.
2. Read the thesaurus on the toilet.
3. I aspired to normalcy: outdid myself.

Pearl Mutnick, 14
1. I write songs I’ll never sing.
2. Summer Camp: Alone, with Sedaris anecdotes.
3. Crosswords: too many 50’s movie references.
4. Wishing I got more snail mail.
5. We’ll always have 84th and Columbus.

Noa Bendit-Shtull, 16
1. I edit my profile, or vice-versa?
2. Have everything. Feels like nothing sometimes.
3. He said she said who said?
4. Baked a pie. Didn’t eat any.
5. I-wonder-if-i-can-use-dashes-to-make “one” word. Break the rules.
6. Dissect, reflect, direct, defect, expect. Perfect.

Lily Gellman, 14
1. Doing schoolwork and wondering about tomorrow.
2. Thought I ought, so sought, wrought.

Nora Miller, 14
1. He left our conversations openly suspended.
2. We broke, came back, broke again.
3. Cried hard on the indifferent bed.
4. I ate my words in lullaby.

Rebecca Shubert, 15
1. My ring fits onto your finger.

Ena Selmanovic, 13
1.Once upon a time…never mind.
2. I’m too complex for six words.
3. I’m outside of those inside jokes.
4. Turned 13 and don’t feel different.
5. I’m too scared to be myself.
6. Acting older than your age: immature.
7. I’m always arguing with my mind.
8.California has my heart’s other half.
9. She’s blind, we love to talk.
10. They talk. I pretend to listen.

Rachel Sobelsohn, 13
1. Pencil on paper, draft after draft.

Kalmen Victor, 15
1. Oh, triumph – I licked chapped lips!

Visala Alagappan, 13
1. I always imagine clowns without makeup.
2. Public praise: I don’t think so.
3. Me: “it’s more complicated than that.”
4. Grandma’s blue veins emboss her skin.

Angelica Modabber, 14
1. Can’t help believing in fairy tales.
2. I always pause before I break.
3. I have become my own prey.
4. Not blind. I choose not seeing.
5. Life’s just a game I play.

Katie Hartman, 13
1. My friends come but never go.

Lena Beckenstein, 15
1. Why aren’t I hating high school?
2. Sorry, you had to be there.
3. Always all-county, never all-state.

Ena Selmanovic, 13
1. Loving Earth: not a fashion statement.
2. Peace: more than a fashion statement.
3. Shouldn’t hate making mistakes.  I do.
4. Don’t hate making mistakes.  I do.
5. Gigantic smile: so thankful for friends.
6. My smile: so thankful for friends.

Adriana writes “Initially, our project seemed like just a fun thing to do but it ended up being something with tremendous power that had a great impact on many of the students and parents. We literally had some students cry when they were working on their project. It was a powerful experience for them to go through and for us as their teachers to witness.”

The teachers then organized a gallery show and invited family and friends to see the art, commemorating the success of the event with a t-shirt adorned with all the memoirs.

Below, see the shirt and a small selection of the students’ work:

“Shattered, mended restored; rewind, press play.” -Krystal Ramirez, 11th Grade
“Name David, but feel like Goliath” -David Serna, 10th Grade
“I strongly believe in my dreams.” -Jennifer Guerrero, 11th Grade
“I’m a genius with a headache.” -Atalie Gonzalez, 10th Grade
“Millions of emotions – not enough space…” -Olivia Losoya, 11th Grade
“Living life hidden prevents being judged.” -Theresa Corona, 11th Grade
“I’m not crazy, just special.” -Joshua Covarrubias, 11th Grade

This site is solely for those who’ve spent less than 20 years on the planet (you’re going to have to do the math yourself). We’re collecting your stories and views for upcoming books, so take a moment to think about your life so far, then spill it.

There’s a range of ages here, and some others here will be younger than you, so let’s keep this a clean and friendly place where everyone feels comfortable telling their stories.

Have fun, and have at it!