Alas, I’ve discovered an unexpected consequence of focusing so much on the Let’s Be Brief contest: now I constantly find myself thinking of ways to convert everything into six-word sentences! Even Mrs. MZM is getting in on the act, leading to some hilarious conversations at home.

It made me wonder, though (it’s that noise you hear), about how far we could go with the concept.

Sure, six-word stories aren’t that easy, at least at first. With practice, though, you start seeing them everywhere! (Even now, it’s taking superhuman effort to keep from writing this post entirely in six-word sentences!) But what if you wanted to, as Albert Einstein might say, “Take it to a whole new energy level?”

Therefore, to those who are getting bored with simple (hah!), ordinary (what?) six-word stories, try this one on for size: Write a six-sentence story, where each sentence must also be its own complete six-word story! Here’s an example of what I mean:

Moving On

The breakup was hard, but inevitable.
Her future was looking strangely bleak.
“Can I go on?” she wondered.
Suddenly, a knock at the door!
It opened; he stood there, smiling.
She ran gladly into his arms!

Hmm, not bad for a first try, if I do say so myself. In a way, it’s actually easier than a single-sentence story because the other sentences provide more context. The hardest part of the six-word story challenge has always been packing enough context into only six words such that readers will perceive it as a story, and not just an ordinary sentence.

So your mission, Mr. Phelps (should you choose to accept it) is to come up with a story in the form shown above. For the sake of this mission, remember to make each sentence complete and able to stand on its own. (As usual, should you or any of your team be caught (oops!) or killed (ouch!), the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of your actions.)

Now all we need is to think of a name for such a construction. How does hexanumdrum sound? Dodecawordiphone? Polywordaphonic?

Suggestions, anyone?