One thing that fascinates me about writing is how people play with the medium: making up games and assignments to bring us together.

For example the Napkin Project at Esquire, where cocktail napkins are mailed to writers and then returned, each covered with a scribbled story. Need to procrastinate? Explore the complete archive.

Some of my favorite writers-of-a-napkin include Aimee Bender, Matt Marinovich, ZZ Packer, and Nalini Jones.

Another example is Smith Mag’s Six Word Memoir project. Inspired by Hemingway’s six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” the project compiles six word life stories of any individual. A taste of the six-word memoir form:

“Brought it to a boil, often.”- Mario Batali

“After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.”- Robin Templeton

“Wasn’t born a redhead; fixed that.” –Andie Grace

“I like big butts, can’t lie.”- David Russ

“Married by Elvis. Divorced by Friday.” – G.M. Rouse

“He still needs me at 64.”- Armistead Maupin

Lastly there’s always the aptly named Post Secret, where postcards containing secrets are mailed in and collected to be displayed in books and online.

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