This week the rather neat-o SMITH magazine brings us a book of six-word memoirs, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. The title pretty much explains it. Publishers Weekly concludes that it “creates a dizzying snowball effect of perspectives and feelings.” It is certainly the kind of thing that tickles the soft parts of me that are always ready for an inspirational writing prompt for students of all ages (try this with 8-year-olds! or 18-year-olds!) or just some freaky-fun quasi-Oulipian constraint play. But my cranky, persistent inner skeptic wonders how many of the 832 memoirs included here are worth even the time it takes to read six words.

After all, you can push and push the constraint thing. A story of 500 words, a story of 100 words, a story of a paragraph, a story of five lines, one line, six words. Let’s be honest: At what point are we abusing the word “story” (or in this case, “memoir”)? I suppose they were inspired by the old Hemingway shortest-story-ever: “For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn”–and you have to admit, that one totally works. But how many of the 832 attempts here even come close? Not so many, I predict.

However, the book does seem to be getting good reviews, for what it’s worth. So the ticklish, good-natured side of me would totally thumb through this in a bookstore, and would end up justifying its purchase for teaching purposes.

The SMITH folks are also holding a six-word challenge in partnership with the eco-blog Treehugger: “Can you describe your green life in just six words?” This truly is wearing the constraint too thin for me, but hey, your attempt just might win you the ubiquitous modern prize goodie, an iPod. Or–perhaps even better–the Planet Earth DVD set. (I can promise you there are some mind-blowing birds on that thing, for reals.)

And you can also continue to submit six-word memoirs–another volume may be in the works.

Finally: Yes, I realize I should’ve written this whole post in six-word sentences. Forgive me. Here’s six words: I am pregnant and damn tired!