Six-word stories: IJ readers share short tales of new beginnings
“January? The month is dumb. It is fraudulent. It does not cleanse itself,” Anne Sexton wrote.
“January is the calendar’s ingrown hair,” declared Stewart Stafford.
“January is the Monday of months,” an anonymous someone once said.
Why all the hate on January, the start of a new year?
Did something wonderful or horrible or memorable happen to you in a past January? Does the month make you feel sad, anxious, hopeful?
Let’s give January some love — or hate — in six words.
Please make it a story with a beginning, middle and end— not six adjectives, a cliche or advice. Make it personal. Make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story!
If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:
• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line
• Send one story. Just one
• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email
• Write your short story in the body of the email
• Use proper punctuation and spelling
• Use sentence style in one line
• It does not need to rhyme and ideally shouldn’t
• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story
Send to lifestyles@marinij.com by Jan. 120 and look for it in the Jan. 31 lifestyles section and online.
Last month we asked readers to share a short tale of what they’re looking forward to in the new year. Here’s what they had to say.
Opened heart to happily ever after. — Burton Eubank, Inverness
Manure on raised beds. Summer tomatoes. — Tom Korzelius, Woodacre
New friends at 75, unanticipated adventures. — Ellen Carroll, San Rafael
I will practice asking for help. — Valerie Jelenfy Stilson, San Rafael
Partner up and begin the beguine. — Patrick Ritter, San Rafael
Next year 88, keep playing tennis. — Helen Hayes, Ross
Tuesday hiking group keeps me young. — Elaine Goldman, San Rafael
Timely friendships with growth and thankfulness. — Antoinette DeLucchi, San Rafael
Tight chest, heavy sigh, goodbye Marin. — Debbie Kay, Greenbrae
Opening my heart to new beginnings. — Carol Hawkins, Novato
Packing memories. Carrying to new home. — Christy Brott-Roque, Novato
Belly laughs that awaken my soul. — Kristen Lang, San Rafael
Still looking forward to world peace. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael
Compassionate outpouring tanks mental health stigma. — Cheryl D. August, San Rafael
Looking forward to 2023, everything improving. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield
May noise not distract life’s miracle. — Bruce Farrell Rosen, San Francisco
Enjoying and simplifying life next year. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael
Moving toward mankind’s highest calling, love. — Mark Silowitz, Novato
Moving to Singapore. New husband. Yay. — Gretchen Davidson, Mill Valley
Retirement: weekends all the way out. — Dan Krimm, San Rafael
A repeated new beginning isn’t new. — David Reinstein, San Anselmo
For hire: A latent torch singer. — Lorraine Peters, San Rafael
Daughter living away from home, engaged. — Michael C. Vogel, Mill Valley
Quit old job; now something new. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato
Insurance emu served as Christmas dinner. — RG Langenhan, San Rafael
Enjoying life after being gravely disabled. — Sister Mary Elephant, San Rafael
Hopefully, at least one more Dipsea. — Kermit R. Kubitz, Larkspur
Trending: Marinites relearn turn signal use. — Katherine Ware, Belvedere
Smiles may help 2023 be happier. — Linda Varonin, Corte Madera
Day by day one step forward. — Sharon Eide, Novato
Well, I’ve had enough of now. — Dave Powell, San Rafael
Looking forward to trying new experiences. — Marie Lazzari, Novato
Individuality expired rapidly, I renew daily. — Al Vetere, San Rafael
A new hip; I’m walking again. — Pam Berkon, Novato
Empty nest soon. Next chapter begins. — Lisa Pavlovsky, San Rafael
Point Reyes tule elk roam free. — Kate Edwards, Larkspur
This time my diet will succeed. — David Hyer, Novato
Eliminate profit to end constant wars. — Esther Cherk, Mill Valley
Affordable studio modules over parking everywhere. — Dart Cherk, Mill Valley
Forgiven; friends with God now. Freedom. — Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda
Celebrated Christmas, new year is coming. — Heike Dittrich-Kruljac, Corte Madera
New dawn, new day, feelin’ good. — David Curtis, Novato
Please pass permanent daylight saving bill. — Evelyn Riebe Mill Valley
Giants’ season opening tickets, Yankee Stadium. — Larry Andow, San Rafael
Genuine forgiveness given and received intact. — Rev. George McLaird Tiburon
“We the people.” Who are “we?” — Porter Davis, Larkspur
It’s always time to begin anew. — Gail Cassee, Mill Valley
In 2023 I’ll win the lottery. — Marty Barry, Novato
Trust your gut, the future’s uncertain. — Tom Cheap, San Rafael
Biographies entice me; many to read. — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur
Springtime arrives in my garden again. — Susan Storch, Greenbrae
Let’s hope it’s a good year. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City
Quiet house, rainy days and you. — Glenda Corning, Corte Madera
Golden retriever dogs, man’s best friend. — Boppa Fehring, Novato
Kindness, empathy reduce noise, air pollution. — Mary Geving, Woodacre