Summary

Mary Chang, a Canadian writer, recounts her journey of submitting six-word stories to a writing contest and celebrates her first published piece in a nationwide book alongside famous authors.

Abstract

Mary Chang, an aspiring writer, embraced the challenge of the six-word story concept with enthusiasm, crafting numerous stories in pursuit of publication. Her persistence paid off when she was selected to be featured in the book "Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak by Writers Famous & Obscure," edited by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser. This opportunity marked a significant milestone in her writing career, as her work appeared alongside contributions from well-known figures such as Dan Savage, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Janice Dickinson. The acceptance of her story, "I love penises more than chocolate," was a moment of validation that alleviated the burden of rejection and bolstered her confidence as a writer.

Opinions

The author views rejection as a common and heavy experience for writers, but believes that persistence and volume of submissions increase the chances of publication.
Mary Chang expresses a sense of triumph and pride in her accomplishment, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and a unique voice in writing.
The author suggests that a writer's first published work need not be profound to be significant; it can be quirky or humorous and still hold value.
The experience of being published is described as a moment of personal growth and a temporary antidote to self-doubt.
The author values the act of writing and the process of submitting work, seeing them as steps towards becoming a better writer and person.

Humor, Life Lessons

Publishing My First Story

Hooking the editor’s attention in six words, without getting down on my knees.

I was dying to be heard, but I didn’t collapse down on my knees — this time.

As a new writer, I’d submitted to countless writing contests, but I couldn't wait to enter when I heard about this one — the six-word story concept.

Could I write a six-word story? Hell yeah — this is my thing. Abundance can be written in six words. Multiple stories come quicker than orgasms. Try, you’ll see what I mean.

Fueled by creative brevity, I let down my hair. I became wild, unleashing different stories to increase my chances of being selected for the opportunity to be published in a nationwide popular book series featuring both famous and unknowns.

“Rejection” is one heavy, unsexy word that writers strap onto their backs until they find gratification when their first piece is published. But as the saying goes, the more you submit, the better your chances are, but rejection is a constant in a writer’s life no matter how many pieces a writer gets published.

Validation, the day of my gratification.

I was chosen. The first story I published appeared in the nationwide book “Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak by Writers Famous & Obscure,” a collection of six-word love memoirs edited by co-creators Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser of Smith Magazine.

The works of famous people appeared in the book.

Dan Savage, American “Savage Love” sex advice columnist, Elizabeth Gilbert, American journalist and author of “Eat Pray Love,” and Janice Dickinson, American supermodel, and tv personality.

Obscure writers also appeared.

Me. Mary, who? Who the f*ck is this Canadian, Mary Chang?

I submitted dozens of six-word stories to Smith Magazine for consideration. A week later, the editor Rachel Fershleiser sent me an email:

Screenshot of email from Smith Magazine editor to the author, 2008. Provided by the author.

I read it twice.

I shouted, “yes!” to the empty living room, rose from my chair to do a happy dance, then kneeled to kiss the floor and sneezed (geez, I really need to vacuum.) The loaded “R” word rolled off my shoulders, I stood taller, and my self-doubt about my writing capabilities disappeared — momentarily. Once my breath returned to normal, I composed myself and returned to my laptop.

I replied, “Which story?”

I tried to figure out which of my multiple love stories they chose. I submitted memoirs that were sexy, provocative, heartbreaking — stories leading me towards vulnerable, scary, sacred places as a writer.

But within seconds after I hit “send,” my gut instinct kicked in, and I knew exactly which one the editor picked.

A few minutes later, there it was — confirmed in her reply:

“I love penises more than chocolate.”

Sometimes a writer’s first published story may not be profound. It just needs to be truthful or quirky in a sexy kind of way, and if you don’t need to get down on your hands and knees — to beg — priceless.

Save those knees for the real thing.

Photo of pg 100–101 of “Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak” by Writers Famous & Obscure, published in 2009. Photo provided by the author.

Screenshot of the book cover (published in 2009), provided by the author.

About the Writer: Mary Chang is an award-winning short story fiction writer, published memoir article writer, and blogger striving to become a better human, parent & writer through stories inspired by exercise, humor & people. Fueled by cartwheels. www.marychangstorywriter.com

You can read her most popular Medium stories here.