Six-Word Memoir Backstory Challenge #3: “Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts,” by Harold Ramis

When asked to write a Six-Word Memoir, comedy legend Harold Ramis wrote, “Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts.” In honor of Ramis, write your own backstory to these six words—in 600 words or less. 

Note: Check our the winning story from Challenge #2: Love & Heartbreak on the Six-Word blog!

Six-Word Memoirs from SMITH Magazine has launched a new “backstory” challenge on Medium.

It’s like this:
We post a notable person’s Six-Word Memoir and then ask for your “backstory” in 600 words or less. Your story can be true or fictional.

Harold Ramis: came and conquered comedy.

This month’s challenge is in honor of the late writer, director and actor Harold Ramis. Years ago, Harold was kind enough to write a Six-Word Memoir for our first collection, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. His words—“Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts”—were pure Ramis: Funny, self-deprecating, and one that all of us can relate to. With those six words as inspiration, we challenge you to tell us a story of a time you chased something, and the internal and external twists and turns involved. Write fiction or non-fiction, and you’re welcome to submit multiple stories; just write from the heart, and do so by April 7 (note: this is a new, extended deadline).

We’ll send the winner three books of his or her choice from the Six-Word book series—as well as an invitation to tell that tale at a future Six Words Live story show.

• How to submit:
1. Sign into Medium.com and click the “New Story” button on top right of the page. Don’t have an account on Medium? You’ll be prompted to sign in with Twitter. Don’t have a Twitter account? Create one in about six seconds on Twitter.com.

2. After you write your story—which you can save along way if you still drafting it— hit “publish” and then you’ll be asked if you want to add to a “collection.” Search for “In Six Words” to make sure to submit your story to our collection. Include “Came, saw, conquered, had second thoughts” at the start of your story.

• The contest runs from March 10-31. For too much official rule-speak and the fine print, read the official contest rules. Question? Email us at concierge AT sixwordmemoirs.com.

• Check our the winning story from Challenge #2: Love & Heartbreak on the Six-Word blog.

About Six Words
Since the Six-Word Memoir® debuted as a project of SMITH Magazine, more than 800,000 short stories have been shared on Six-Word Memoirs and its younger cousin, SMITH Teens. In classrooms and boardrooms, churches and synagogues, veterans’ groups and across the dinner table, Six-Word Memoirs have become a powerful tool to catalyze conversation, spark imagination or break the ice.

We invite you to share Six Words on any part of your life at SixWordMemoirs.com.