For sale: baby shoes, never worn
Perhaps the world’s shortest short story … by Ernest Hemingway.
So says Lucy Gower in this excellent article about storytelling, published recently on SOFII.
Among other advice, including how to find stories within your nonprofit, Lucy notes these principles of good stories from Made to Stick, by Chip & Dan Heath:
- Simple
- Unexpected
- Concrete
- Credible
- Emotional
She also issues a challenge: Can you tell your story — personal and/or organizational — in six words?! Interesting exercise.
Tom
2 responses to “For sale: baby shoes, never worn”
Behavioral Science Q & A
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Hi Tom,
Great resource. Thanks for the link.
What’s also interesting is that Hemingway described this six-word story as one of the most difficult to write, of his entire canon. Less is frequently more, but it also takes more to get there.
In my opinion, it’s well worth it.
Best,
Nancy
this really made me smile. excellent!!!!