Prompt 2: What Makes A Story

Ernest Hemingway's six worded "short story" certainly constitutes a story in my opinion. A story can be described as anything with a character, plot, theme, and setting. An even though Hemingway's six worded story may not have all these things in context, it does in spirit. When one reads these six words, opinions are formed. One interprets the story according to their own experiences. These experiences come from memories, and I believe memories are equivalent to short stories. They have meaning, and most certainly involve people, or characters, and have some sort of theme or plot. These six simple words that Hemingway has put together requires the reader to interpret in their own way, and produce their own personal meaning to the story.

When author's write short stories, they give the reader all of the information that they need. However these six words require the reader to do the work themselves. The reader can create their own story that connects to them on a personal level, or even just an enjoyable one. There is not simply one meaning that the story can convey, but many. That is the great thing about the simple six words that Hemingway has created.

I am definitely no writer, but I have created two of my own short stories that may have more than one meaning or ending, depending on who is reading them. I hope you enjoy them, and that they somehow inspire you to think about, remember, or to create your own short story. Please feel free to share it after reading!

I've given you everything. You're welcome.

Two doors open: pick one only.