Try Keeping A Small Notebook In Your Pocket

Some writers keep an e-journal or a paper journal.  The journal is full of tidbits and ideas.  This doesn’t work for me.  What does work for me is a little notebook that fits in the back pocket of my jeans.  And I always carry around two ink pens.

Then I go about life and forget the notebook.  But when something happens and the idea for a short story pops up the notebook comes out.  Usually, I try to come up with a title that captures the idea so that I have a direction to work in.  Or if I’m lucky, the writing down of several titles about a “single” flash fiction idea will cause me to start writing until the first draft of a story is completed.

This method of keeping a little notebook in a pocket and something to write with may work for you.

Many of the stories in the sidebar on the right under “Great American Flash Fiction Stories To Read” were created this way.

Flash Fiction Set To The Music Of The Doors

A writer finds inspiration in different places.  What comes to mind when I mention The Doors?  The music of your parents?  Sex?  Drugs?  Psychedelia?  The Old Soldier thinks The Doors are still a hot band.  A lot of young people into retro think so, too.

For many writers music is an inspiration for writing short stories and for living life.  Not only must a writer or a blogger write in such a way as to allow a reader to “see” the story but also to “hear” the story.  A story must not only be a visual experience but also an audio experience.  Dialogue is part of the audio experience of reading a short story.  But a story can also have a soundtrack just like a movie.  The soundtrack for Orgasm is Light My Fire by The Doors.  And it fits.

Over 50 Articles For Writers

Before the Old Soldier became a full time blogger, I got my MFA in fiction writing in 2006 from the University of Pittsburgh.  I’ve had over 50 short stories and articles published in different print and online publications.  I mention these things to prove my credibility as a writer. 

Writing is tough and writing well is even tougher.  If you are an aspiring new writer, let the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette be your home for great very short stories and for lots of articles that give easy to understand tips and advice about writing short stories.

You will find over 50 articles on the craft of writing in the sidebar on the right.  Just scroll down until you come to “More Flash Articles”.

“This Man & This Woman” & Other Stories

How about a flash fiction love story about two middle age people?  Let’s call them baby boomers.  Let’s throw in a tough economy (life is art) and some crock pot cooking.  I thought the last sentence might peak your interest.  The Gazette presents, This Man and This Woman in Love

If you like the above story you may like some of the other stories in the sidebar on the right under “Great American Flash Fiction Stories To Read”.  The stories deal with love and lust, boyfriends and girlfriends, writing and war and life in general.  A random search is sure to turn up something you like.

Adult Videos

I’m speaking as an outsider, but sometimes marriage can be wonderful.  I’m also speaking as a blogger and a writer.  One of the tools a blogger and a writer must use is the power of observation.

Man, I’ve seen some bad marriages.  I’ve also seen some good ones.  What makes a good marriage?  What makes any intimate relationship good?  I would bet one of the things that helps is good communications and trust between a man and a woman, between a husband and a wife.

A good sex life helps, too.  The flash fiction story, Sex Videos illustrates all of the above.

Blogging & Writing About Black Stockings

Yes, the Old Soldier is definitely old school.  Women don’t seem to wear pantyhose anymore let alone stockings.  Growing up, I thought stockings or pantyhose on a woman in a skirt or a dress was the epitome of sexiness.  I still do.  When I ask my female friends why they don’t wear stockings or pantyhose they say wearing them is too hot or makes them itch.  And I’m speaking of my young female friends.  Even when women dress up they may not wear “nylons”. 

The results of these observations is the writing of the short story, Flash Fiction: Black Stockings

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