Six Word Stories

with Jess Lowther-Payne


Anne Lister’s journals are estimated to total more than 5 million words across 7,720 pages, not including her vast archive of letters.

We challenged our Summit attendees to condense that down into just six words whilst still conveying the emotion and sense of adventure seen throughout her writing.


More from the 2022 Summit

Felt very bilious. Dinner at 6

– Susanne Piotrowski


Miss Walker is desperately vulgar. Avoid.

– Marlene Oliveira


The gaucherie bugbear has bitten again.

– Jane Kendall


Shot the gun. Burned the Hall.

– Susanne Piotrowski


Singularly picturesque but too white washed

– Livia Labate


Very fine day…for a kiss.

– Linda Mania


Took salts. Good motion at last.

– Alex Pryce


Eggs with wine, cold veal. Satisfactory.

– Livia Labate


Writing my journal does me good.

– Sari Miettinen


have seen not one goat yet

– Livia Labate


Incurred a cross on the bedpost

– Patty Book


Went to research summit. Very vulgar.

– Alex Pryce


Beaver hats make my head ache.

– Alex Pryce


Nothing ever compares to York Minster

– Janneke


None can touch me. Except her.

– Linda Mania


Grubbled her well. Cut my nails.

– Jane Kendall


Used a candle, stoked her flame

– Shantel Smith


Shagged our way through France. Awesome.

– Marlene Oliveira


head on bed; feet on chair

– Livia Labate


She loved Shibden.Went to Paris.

– Susanne Piotrowski


Was in Paris. Moved to Shibden.

– Susanne Piotrowski


They like me, certainly. Fine day.

– Katherine


Agreeableize; venerealize; Parisianize; anatomize; epistolize; companionize.

– Jane Kendall


Must have: an attractively marbled flyleaf.

– Audra Loyal


One, Two, More Belcombes would do

– Natalie Hungate


Loving. Living. Learning. I am right.

– Kay Pollock


Social Climber. Mountain Climber. Lady Climber.

– Laurie Higgins


A shed for a shag—chaumiere

– Patty Book


Rain on roof, oh so delicious

– Shantel Smith


A much better one at Salterhebble

– Kay Pollock


Off to bed – what’s the temperature?

– Janneke


Vulgar enough. Her nails were dirty.

– Jane Kendall