Stories

400 Words content. True personal stories that might or might not also appear in the print magazine.

Toes

Posted to Stories on the topic of Autobiographies on 5 August 2008, with no comments so far.

by Milly Strelzoff—Age 29—Hattiesburg, MS
As a baby I was never aware of my toes. I might have sucked on them but I don’t know. If someone sits down and cares to tell you, you have babyhood. Even that is impossible if no one noticed. No one counted my toes out for me so I learnt […]

Book Love

Posted to Stories on the topic of Compulsions on 27 July 2008, with 2 comments so far.

by Maureen—Age 23—New Haven, CT
Five weeks into my third semester at my second attempt at college, I padded down three flights of stairs on a Sunday morning in my slippers and PJs. In one hand I carried a coffee press, full and hot, as well as a coffee mug with a carton of half-and-half precariously […]

A 400-Word Autobiography of My Friend Owen

Posted to Stories on the topic of Autobiographies on 24 June 2008, with 2 comments so far.

This is a variation I haven’t seen yet: a 400-word “autobiography” of someone else. I like the way it reminds me of The Catcher in the Rye on lithium. —ed.

by Krammer Abrahams—Age 24—Boston, MA
I was born a Jew. My brother was born a gay Jew. A dog lived with our family. I have a sister. […]

Story: Autobiography of Patton

Posted to Stories on the topic of Autobiographies on 22 May 2008, with 7 comments so far.

by Patton Quinn—Age 28—Austin, TX
Age 0
• 29 January, 1980.
5:
• Find dead body at Cedar Creek Lake, Texas.
• Teach myself to do headstand.
7-9:
• Win 13 trophies in every handstand contest at gymnastics. (Mom eventually
chucks trophies.)
9:
• Dad shaves beard, I faint.
12:
• Form “Dumb Penis Gang” (DPG) with best lady friends:

Cassandra
Lynn
Anne
Courtney

13:
• Quit gymnastics, start diving.