Poetry: I Want To Eat Your Pussy

December 31, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Your eyes follow me

I suck on your clitoris

Soon comes your first moan

*****

The Old Soldier thought he would end the year with a haiku and a salute to women.

How’s everyone doing?  It’s around noon in Pittsburgh.  The Old Soldier does not do the New Year’s Eve party routine.  Too many crazy people.  So, I’m going to go out for a six-pack of beer, come back and eat, do a little blogging and see if there is anything good on television.  Plus I have a couple of good books to read that I checked out from the public library.

*****

Last night was not so good.  There was no karaoke at Sonny’s Tavern and the DJ at Del’s could not get the words up on the monitor.  So I left.

I did pass out some Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette business cards at Sonny’s to two guys.  But waking up this morning I realized that I should be passing out business cards to women.  Women like the PFF Gazette’s mixture of serious writing and brazen sexuality.  Women make up the majority of the readers of this magazine.  There is also another reason.  Some time in 2012 I want to start featuring nude women of Pittsburgh in the PFF Gazette.

So when I pass out a business card to a woman I not only get a potential reader and guest writer.  I also get a potential nude model.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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Brianna Frost And A New Strategy To Promote The PFF Gazette

December 30, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The photo included in this post is of my niece Brianna Frost Hogan, a webcam stripper with her own site and who makes a very good living, the inspiration for the Old Soldier making this magazine a publication of serious writing and brazen sexuality.

*****

It’s around 3:00 in the afternoon on a karaoke Friday.  The Old Soldier already has everything planned out.  First a stop at Sonny’s Tavern to do House of the Rising Sun and It’s My Life, both by The Animals and then up to Del’s to do Here I Go Again by Whitesnake and Wind of Change by the Scorpions. 

Actually, I just came back from Sonny’s.  Paul was there and Doug was behind the bar and Tim came in before I left.  There were a couple of other guys there, too.  Oh, and Victor came in before I left.

I was probably the oldest person there; but I’m living the Baby Boomer fantasy: plenty of time and just enough money to follow my fantasies of being a performance artist (karaoke) and the editor/publisher of the most dynamic flash fiction magazine anywhere.

You can’t beat that with a stick!

*****

The Old Soldier has hundreds of business cards that promote the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette in the drawer of his writing desk.  They’ve been there for around three or more years.  I pass them out haphazardly.  That kind of marketing for this magazine is all going to change.

Starting this weekend when I sing karaoke at Sonny’s and Del’s I will look for opportunities to pass out some of the cards, not in a pushy way but when I think someone might be open to being approached about the magazine.

And there is a new cafe opening between Sonny’s and Del’s which will let me do readings of my flash fiction stories.  The place wants poetry and spoken-word artists to perform for them.  I’ve already contacted them and they want me to perform.  I’m thinking about passing out flyers or the cards about the magazine.

Now I’ll have to be careful about which stories I read at the cafe.  I don’t want to get banned for reading the more sexually explicit stories that I have written; but I do want to inform people about the PFF Gazette.

That’s the new marketing strategy.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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Turning Your Life Experience Into Flash Fiction Gold

December 29, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

There is no doubt in the Old Soldier’s mind that your life is full of good material for writing flash fiction.

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, old or young or male or female.  If you can write a clear sentence you can write flash fiction.

And this is the reason why.

The flash fiction short story has a basic form that is easy to learn.  This basic form does not change.  The form is simple.

The setup.  The buildup.  The payoff.

Or you can think of the form like this.

The introduction.  The body.  The resolution.

If a writer keeps this basic form in mind, writing flash fiction stories based on personal life experiences becomes an exciting journey of self discovery.

Read.  Study.  Write.

The flash fiction Submissions tab is at the top of the page.

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Brianna Frost Hogan: Still Inspired By My Niece The Webcam Stripper

December 28, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Brianna Frost Hogan

Are you still hesitating about sending out your work to see if someone will publish it?  Of course, in the age of the internet you could publish yourself; but that’s like masturbation.  It feels good, but you’re still alone.

Why not submit your work to the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette?

So far this month this magazine of serious writing and brazen sexuality has gotten over 5,000 visits.  If you get published here people will see your work.  Especially, if I stick it to the Front Page for a couple of weeks.

Brianna Frost Hogan

You can’t beat that with a stick!

You will find the Old Soldier a very supportive editor/publisher.  I have a master’s degree (University of Pittsburgh 2003) in fiction writing.  So, I know something about the short story.  If your story has grammatical, spelling or punctuation issues I can correct them.  How many other editors of online magazines that you know of would be willing to do that?

Not many.  I don’t know of any.  But the Old Soldier is retired and he has the time to give you the time.  If I’m lying and crying.

The submissions tabs for non-fiction (Anything Goes), poetry (Send Poetry) and flash fiction (Submissions) are at the top of the page.  Send me something.

*****

Brianna Frost Hogan

Well, it was great to see the Matriarch, Lloyd, T. and  TC. (my mother and three brothers) for the holidays.  Brianna is TC’s daughter.  No one ever talks about Brianna around TC.  I mean how would I talk to my youngest brother (he’s in his 50′s and is a professor) about his daughter who makes a very good living stripping and committing sex acts (masturbation to orgasm) on the internet?

Still, Brianna was the inspiration for the Old Soldier adding brazen sexuality to what would otherwise be just another blog about flash fiction.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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PFF Gazette: Over 5,000 Hits For December 2011

December 28, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

It’s official.  As of 8:30 AM the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette past 5,000 visits for the month of December 2011.  The future looks bright for this online magazine of serious writing and brazen sexuality.

*****

Hello to all my brother and sister bloggers, readers, writers and my Flash Fiction Fanatics.  I hope you are all in as good a mood as the Old Soldier is.  It’s around 10:00 am.  Beyond my windows a light snow falls on the city and the high will be around 30 degree.

But the Old Soldier is snug in his humble apartment that is heated by radiator heat, the best sort of heat (in my opinion) that there is for an apartment.  Yesterday, the Old Soldier got a chance to spend time with the Matriarch, Lloyd, Tony and Tommy, the first time we four brothers have been together in years.

*****

I feel that the PFF Gazette has reached a milestone by passing 5,000 visits for one month and by taking on board its first columnist, the Love Doctor.  So, now the Old Soldier has to hunker down to keep the momentum going. 

If you would like to be a part of the excitement there are three tabs at the top of the page: Anything Goes for non-fiction, Send Poetry for poetry and Submissions for flash fiction.  Hundreds of people will see your work.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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The Life Of This Flash Fiction Writer: Sleeping On The Sofa

December 27, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier has been sleeping on the sofa these past few nights.  How did I ever get into that habit?  It seems that I have so much to think about and really I lead a very simple life.  I’m a life-long bachelor with no children (I think that might be part of the problem.  No wife or girlfriend to sleep next to).

What do I think about?

I think about this magazine.  I think about not being foolish with my new-found financial stability: Social Security, military pension and a pension from Giant Eagle.  I think about breaking out of my social isolation now that I have more financial stability.

I think about when will I get an idea for another flash fiction story.

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Sleepless In Pittsburgh

December 27, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

It’s the Old Soldier here, drinking beer and surfing the web.  I never made it to Sonny’s Tavern.  I ran out of money.  So I just got a six-pack at Armand’s in Bloomfield which must have the cheapest beer in town and also the biggest and best tasting fish sandwiches in town and I came back to my humble home to surf the web.

It’s around 1:30 AM.  What’s a flash fiction writer to do when he’s been drinking and it’s 1:30 AM?

Probably the best thing to do is to go to bed.  That’s good advice.  I will see all of you tomorrow.

Peace!  Out!

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House Of The Rising Sun: Off To Sonny’s Tavern

December 26, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette
The House of the Rising Sun

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Well, the Old Soldier has money in his pockets (Christmas gifts from the family) and you know what that means: hanging out at the bars.  It’s what a lot of lonely old men do.

My Social Security check should be deposited in my account on Wednesday; which means karaoke this weekend.

Sonny’s Tavern will have karaoke this Friday; and last night I stopped in at Sonny’s and Melissa (the bartender) told me that one of the most played songs on the jukebox was House of the Rising Sun by The Animals.

So, the Old Soldier will practice his Eric Burton imitation this week.

But the real karaoke action this Friday will be at Del’s Bar and Italian Restaurant.  So, after I hit Sonny’s this Friday I’ll head on up to Del’s to do Here I Go Again by Whitesnake, Wind of Change by Scorpions and I’ll play the rest by ear.

Now I’m going to get this post up and walk to Sonny’s and try to come up with more content for my little magazine.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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Day After Christmas 2011: Submit A Short Story

December 26, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

It’s December 26.  The Old Soldier got money for Christmas.  I guess my family figure I can use it.  The Old Soldier never gives gifts.  Too poor.  One month ago I was worried about being evicted from my apartment.  The Old Soldier wonders how his family sees him.  As an eccentric?  As a miser?

Well, it’s good to have family who care about you.

*****

How’s everyone doing?  The Old Soldier has money for beer and has had his fair share of beer in the last 48 hours so he’s getting a late start blogging today.  It’s nearly 1:00 in the afternoon.  The sun is shinning and the announcer on the radio says the high will be around 43 degrees.

I still have to do my breathing and stretching exercises and take a hot shower.  But if you are a writer, now would be a good time to think about submitting a short story to the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette.

I’m pretty sure this magazine will get over 5,000 hits this month.  If you are accepted for publication, people will see your work especially if I stick it to the Front Page.

I will work with you to get your work into this magazine, the most dynamic flash fiction publication on the internet.

The short story Submissions tab is at the top of the page.

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Thank You Readers Of The PFF Gazette

December 25, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Some Of My Old Photography Shot With A Disposable Camera In My Apartment

My stats page says that so far this month (December 2011) the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette has gotten 4,671 visits and is averaging 191 visits every day.  That’s nothing to brag about, but it is something to be happy about.  Not bad for a little niche blog about flash fiction.  The Gazette just keeps chugging along, much like its publisher.

Of course, this blog is about a lot more than just flash fiction, but its core subject is flash fiction.

And the Old Soldier is dedicating himself to keeping this magazine interesting and entertaining for those readers who enjoy the PFF Gazette’s unique mixture of serious writing and brazen sexuality.

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas 2011

December 25, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Bright sunshine is pouring through the window that faces toward the Cathedral of Learning of the University of Pittsburgh.  The other window faces an apartment building several feet away and a parking lot.

The radiator heat is on and the Old Soldier sit’s in his underwear at the workstation after having done his breathing and stretching exercises (karaoke this Friday). 

How’s everyone doing?

I don’t know how much blogging I’m going to do today.  I’m suppose to together with Lloyd, the Matriarch and T. again today.  The four of us had a good time together on Friday.

But whatever happens later today, I’m ready for a hot shower and I have a load of laundry to do, here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas.

And tell all your friends about the excitement that is the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, a magazine of serious writing and brazen sexuality.

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In Search Of A Flash Fiction Story

December 24, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Some Of My Old Photography And One Of The Most Popular Photos On This Site

The Old Soldier is getting antsy.  I haven’t written a new flash fiction story in weeks, maybe months.  The last story that I published in the PFF Gazette, The Porn Industry, is something that I wrote months ago.  I just decided to publish it this month.

I need to write a new story.  I blog nearly every day.  But that’s not the same thing.

So, what should a writer do when he or she is stuck?

Stay engaged with life.  Quiet reflection definitely is an important and necessary part of a writer’s life.  Just don’t forget that a writer must live life in order to write about it.

*****

The flash fiction Submissions tab is at the top of the page.  Send me something.  Let’s see if we can get you published in the most dynamic flash fiction publication on the internet.

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Senior Citizens Get 3.6% Raise

December 23, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Seal of the United States Social Security Admi...

Image via Wikipedia

I sit in a chair in the lobby of my apartment building and wait for my brother Lloyd to pick me up.  He should have the Matriarch with him.  Then we’ll pick up my other brother T. at the assistant living facility and the four of us will do lunch.  A very late lunch.  It’s 3:00 PM.  Lloyd is one hour late.

But because of my new sense of well-being, it’s okay.

I sit and jot this in my little notebook.  I look up at the foot and vehicle traffic on the avenue on this overcast day and I think of all the history behind the four of us.

*****

The Old Soldier got a letter today from the Social Security Administration saying that because of the cost of living there will be a 3.6% increase in his Social Security check beginning in January.

Who says there is no Santa Claus?

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Updates Done: Old Soldier Back In Action

December 23, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The updates are done.  My computer is back up to speed.  The Old Soldier has done his breathing and stretching exercises and taken a hot shower and now he’s dressed and looking forward to his 2:00 PM luncheon engagement.

Hello my brother and sister bloggers, readers, writers and Flash Fiction Fanatics.  The Old Soldier is suddenly full of…no, he’s full of pep and ready to do some serious blogging. 

Now it’s around 1:00 PM and I may not get another post in before my ride shows up, but I’m sure to have lots to blog about when I get back.  It’s an overcast day in Pittsburgh, the high will be around 40 degrees.

I’d like to send a special shout out to the people who discovered the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette today through their Google Reader.  The information is on my stats page.

Keep reading and keep writing that flash fiction and tell all your friends about the excitement that is the PFF Gazette, the most dynamic flash fiction publication on the internet.

*****

The flash fiction Submissions tab is at the top of the page.  Send me something.  Let’s see if we can’t get you published.

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Blogging: Pepsi Wild Cherry On A Slow Friday Morning

December 23, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Pepsi logo (2003-08). Initially, the "Pep...

Image via Wikipedia

The Old Soldier’s computer is downloading updates.  You know what that means.  Everything is in slo-mo.  So, the Old Soldier is sitting at the workstation in his underwear (it’s 11:00 AM), sipping on a plastic bottle of Pepsi Wild Cherry as he tries to do a little blogging.

There’s really nothing to report.

I have a 2:00 PM luncheon engagement.  That will be nice.  Maybe when I get back from that I’ll have something to blog about and the updates will be done.

*****

Are any of you writers?  There are three ways to submit work to the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette.  At the top of the page is an Anything Goes tab for non-fiction, a Send Poetry tab for poetry and a Submissions tab for flash fiction.

Now I’m going to post this and do my breathing and stretching exercises and take a shower.

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