Advice To Aspiring Flash Fiction Writers

November 20, 2008 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

I’ve been writing flash fiction for many years and I’m pretty good at it.  I know that’s an arrogant statement but if you don’t believe me (and why should you) just read the flash fiction stories on this site and I know most of you will agree that I’m pretty good at writing flash fiction.

What advice do I have to give to aspiring flash fiction writers?  First, read as much flash fiction as you can.  You can start with the stories on this site and then go to the links and read those stories, too.

Only in that way will you have an idea of what flash fiction is.  Then try to write some yourself.  Oh, yes, don’t forget to read my Writing Flash Fiction in the sidebar.  You must not only know how flash fiction works but also why it works.

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Pitt Is It!

November 20, 2008 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

It’s crowded in Hemingway’s today.  Lots of undergrads.  The $1.50 draft special is Circus Boy.  I swear the staff makes these names up.  They swear they don’t.

On one of the flat screen TVs a young Bruce Willis and another man and woman are all strapped down sitting in chairs while an obviously psycho cop is threatening them.

I just realized the Steelers play tonight.  I don’t know how much of the game I’ll watch.  After I leave here I’m going to get my suit and two shirts out of the cleaners for the job fair tomorrow at the employment and training center.

A former student from the center came in today.  I was here before she was.  Now she’s got a good job and I’m still here.

GHH

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Lunch Time

November 20, 2008 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

It’s lunch time at the employment and training center.  I’m still in the computer room.  There’s only one other student in the room with me.  She sits beside me working on her Power Point.

My contact at AARP, the people who issue my paychecks, called the school and told me about a great job possibility that she’s recommending me for.  She’s going to fax over some information for me to look over, to see what positions I’m interested in.  I hope this is the real deal.  AARP is in charge of staffing the positions so this might be the break I’m looking for.  I’ve been job hunting for so long I’m beginning to feel like a real loser.

That’s not a good feeling.

GHH

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My Chocolate Addiction

November 20, 2008 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Now that I’m trying to cut back on the beer drinking so that I won’t get another gout attack I’ve found that I’m eating more chocolate; candy bars walking to the bus stop in the morning; candy bars riding the bus while reading the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and now even sneaking Trix candy bars into the computer room at the employment and training center which is strictly against the rules.

I’m hooked, man!  I’m addicted!

GHH

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Rent Payment Delayed

November 20, 2008 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

I didn’t get as much as I was hoping for in my employment and training check which means I won’t be able to send in a rent payment on my apartment this month.  This leaves me several months behind.  I can only hope that when I get my social security benefits starting next month I’ll be able to send in rent every month even though I’ll always be behind until I get my next job.

Speaking of the next job, I guess since I’m not paying my rent this month I’ll get my interview suit and clean shirts out of the cleaners and attend the job fair at the employment and training center tomorrow.  A local hospital is having the job fair.  If the hospital is just looking for food service, patient transportation or house keeping people they’re not going to hire someone like me who has an MFA.

My MFA helped me with the state civil service position but then the hiring freeze stopped everything.  And my degree probably helped me with the data information company that I interviewed for last Thursday.  I’m still waiting to hear from them.  So, I wait and hope I don’t get an eviction notice before my social security checks begin in December.

GHH

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