It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure

Funny and bittersweet, witty and wild, or downright tragic, these addictive life stories are both monumental and miniscule. Six—word memoirs have become a global phenomenon, offering anyone and everyone a telling peek at humanity and a chance to find the writer within.

Teachers from kindergarten to graduate school have found the six—word memoir to be an inspiring writing exercise for their students. These examples will not only inspire your students to write their own six—word memoirs—but will help them find their voices and spur them to write longer pieces.

With contributions from acclaimed authors like Malcolm Gladwell, Frank McCourt, Wally Lamb, Isabel Allende, Junot Diaz, Amy Tan, and James Frey, and celebrities like Sarah Silverman, Suze Orman, Marlee Matlin, Neil Patrick Harris, Ann Coulter, and Chelsea Handler, It All Changed in an Instant presents a thousand more glimpses of humanity. . . six words at a time.