SIX

Could you write a story in just six words? Enter our monthly competition and you might win a fabulous prize

A special number

Why six words instead of, say, five or seven? Well, we take our inspiration from Ernest Hemingway, who, according to legend, was challenged in a bar to write a story using that number of words. The result: 'For sale: baby shoes, never worn.' We may never come close to writing anything so brilliant as that narrative, which crams so much pathos into such a little space, but we can have fun failing, yes?

Now that Twitter has taught us to condense our comments to 140 characters, how about trying to write a story in just six words?

In our teasing competition, Nash magazine chooses a different theme each month and invites readers to compose a tale in only half a dozen words about that subject.

We all love to tell stories, but telling them well is the trick. As Hamlet said, brevity is the soul of wit. So with that in mind, we want you to send us your miniature masterpieces.

We'll publish all the entries and will announce a winner at the end of every monthly competition. That person will receive a super prize related to that month's theme.

Submit your story by filling out the box below (your email address won't appear) and as soon as we can we'll publish your mini marvel. You don't have to live in the Tunbridge Wells area to enter, and you can submit as many stories as you wish.

So, what are you waiting for?

This month's theme...

MARCH

In reality you probably flop straight into a deep sleep, or perhaps lie in the wet patch, quietly cursing, but for the purpose of this month's competition, Nash wants you to tell us the six words you say immediately after:

SEX

You could win ...

Even if normally you don't smoke, a languid post-coital puff seems a fitting way to round things off, so if you feel like striking up a ciggie rather than a conversation, you'll love this book of matches - which even comes with a false phone number already conveniently written on the inside of the flap!

woozlehound 1.3.2010 21:51
Was it in? I couldn't tell.

± 2.3.2010 10:30
I see, you smile, we win.

± 2.3.2010 10.32
Forget me. I was faking it.

± 2.3.2010 10:33
Beg your pardon, but come again?

Confused 2.3.2010 11.45
Thought was lube, it was acetone!

Begyourpardon 2.3.2010 11:47
Can I pay in pounds sterling?

Confused 2.3.2010 11:49
Don't be so English, be dirty!

± 2.3.2010 11:55
She loves... she loves me not.

± 2.3.2010 12:00
Is there an early bird prize?

Thebarnet 2.3.2010 12:05
Cheers love! Same time next week?

Tut 2.3.2010 13:13
Pass the remote over please honey!

The Marzipan Man 2.3.2010 13:39
Is that marzipan I can smell?

What'sisnameagain 2.3.2010 13:39
I came, she came, we went.

Gammonsfilth 2.3.2010 13:42
Do you mind if I lie?

Unastubbs@sanchez 2.3.2010 13:58
You're amazing! Pass the remote, please.

Wellblowme! 3.3.2010 09:29
How was it for you, Mum?

Jaded 3.3.2010 09:32
Excuse me, you can stop now.

CityFatcatLovesHisBonus 4.3.2010 16:43
Did you put the cat out?

The Pill Dispenser 4.3.2010 16:48
You'd better see the Doc sharpish

LimpBoy 4.3.2010 16:50
It's not you. It's the booze.

The prolific lover 4.3.2010 16:55
You're good to go, baby. NEXT!

TW Voyeur 4.3.2010 17:01
What's he doing in that wardrobe?

justaquickie 4.3.2010 17:02
You'll have to go now, baby.

keep it brief 4.3.2010 17:24
Putcha knickers on, love, we're done.

The online manager 4.3.2010 17:25
I'll keep your details on file.

StrictlyCome 4.3.2010 17:27
As Len Goodman would say: SEVEN!

CockneyLoveChild 4.3.2010 17:30
Tada, Baby, you was awesome tonight

LovemAndLeavem 4.3.2010 17:38
Any food going? I'm Hank Marvin

marc nash 4.3.2010 22:01
Psssstttt. Folding away time again, love.

February's winner...

Well! It seems a lot of you have an awful lot of bile oozing out of your pores, judging by the number of contributions we had to February's six-word story on the subject of hate. Inevitably violence figured prominently, including the brutally direct 'My fist sunk into his face' by The thuguneverwannameet. But more subtle evocations of this raw emotion were contesting for the big prize, and among the front-runners were The Lover's chilling 'I sent lillies on Valentine's Day' and Notyourson's teenage strop: 'Hate is snow with no board'. But the winner of this month's sour lemon is Reasons to be cheerful with 'Hot date, RELATE, prostate, intestate. Hate', a marvellous summation of the male experience that is both witty and bitter.