Call for Submissions: Let's Create Together a Six-Word "Micro-Novel" of Your Own Story That Moves the Heart

Britain recently launched a literary creative-writing contest, with the theme that participants may use only six English words to describe a story, and it must be able to move the heart. The organizers finally selected the best micro-novels, ten creations in total. These ten stories are filled with the warmest and saddest sides of humanity. A few of them, to me personally, even reach the level of heartbreak.

Any one of these micro-stories can be read over and over, plunging one into deep thought — truly representative works of conciseness. This kind of distilled word-craft and the essence of photography, where less is more, still share something in common.

Next, let’s see together whether the winning works of this contest move you as well.

Six-Word Micro-Novels

Original Creation****Chinese TranslationStrangers. Friends. Best friends. Lovers. Strangers.Strangers. Friends. Best friends. Lovers. Strangers.I met my soulmate. She didn’t.I met my soulmate. She didn’t.Sorry soldier, shoes sold in pairs.Sorry soldier, shoes sold in pairs.Birth certificate. Death certificate. One pen.Birth certificate. Death certificate. One pen. (infant death or mother dies in childbirth)Jumped. Then I changed my mind.Jumped. Then I changed my mind.Mom taught me how to shave.Mom taught me how to shave. (father is gone)Finally spoke to her. Left flowers.Finally spoke to her one last time; all I could leave were flowers. (she has passed away)Siri, delete Mom from my contacts.Siri, delete Mom from my contacts. (mother has passed away)Introduced myself to mother again today.Introduced myself to mother again today. (mother has Alzheimer’s)The smallest coffins are the heaviest.The smallest coffins are the heaviest.Six-Word Micro-Novels

After reading these micro-novel creations, each line so moving, I believe your creative spirit has already caught fire. If your answer is YES, we sincerely hope you will join this creative trend as well.

If you are willing to create, and willing to let us learn and be moved together, there is a submission event below that we hope you will join. Submissions are not limited to any language, and the content has no restrictions either — the most important thing is still that passion you want to express from within. If, like me, you felt the same stirring from the words above, then hurry and submit — let us appreciate together your one-of-a-kind life experience!

Submit here: One Page Poetry | Call for Submissions.

Note

Given the essential differences between languages such as Chinese and English in describing things, this submission event has only one rule: your creation must be presented in “one line.” English can be within six words, and Chinese or Japanese within ten characters — the shorter the better. If your creation is not easy for people to understand, please remember to write an explanation of its meaning! Works submitted by creators will be periodically compiled on the “One Page Poetry” website and shared on the fan page, so we can all appreciate your wonderful verse together.