Is Writer’s Block For Real?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette
The discouraged Nenene suffering from writer's...

The discouraged Nenene suffering from writer’s block continues to lament the disappearance of Yomiko (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What really is writer’s block?  Is it like being constipated?

Hello hello hello, my brother and sister readers and writers from all over the world!  Writer’s block is an occupational hazard for writers.  The good ideas stop flowing.

You’re stuck.

And the longer you’re stuck the more you press and the more you press the worse your writer’s block becomes.  The bad news is, yes writer’s block is for real.  The good news is, it won’t kill you.

Just think of writer’s block as the bridge between two good ideas.  If you can do this, then suddenly writer’s block becomes a good thing.  See what I mean?

This is the Old Soldier giving all his writing brothers and sisters a little tough love.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog of creative writing and brazen sexuality.  This blog is published near the University of Pittsburgh.

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Intellectuals, Lovers And Creative Writers

Posted on May 15, 2013 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Woman As Art

Woman As Art

You know, when you’re a small, niche online publisher like I am, you have to be your own publicity department.

What can I tell you about the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette that will make you a follower or reader or subscriber?  I could tell you a lot of things.  But I’m old school; which means I believe the proof is in the pudding.

So, click on the front page and decide for yourself if this publication is worth your interest and time.

Thank you,

The Old Soldier

*****

These people have influenced the content and the look of this magazine.

  • Andy Warhol
  • David Letterman
  • Hue Hefner
  • Lady Gaga
Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup I, 1968.

Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup I, 1968. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog of creative writing and female sexuality.  This blog is published near the University of Pittsburgh.

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Summer Preview In The City Of A Flash Fiction Writer

Posted on May 15, 2013 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Woma As Art

Woma As Art

The high hit the low 80s today in Pittsburgh.  And when the clouds cleared away, the Old Soldier had to leave his workstation and take a walk in the sunshine.  I picked up two books from the floor near the sofa and decided this was a good day to return them to the public library, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Outside, it felt like summer.  I walked down South Craig which is full of espresso bars, fast food joints, cafes and ethic restaurants.

A Greek Food Festival was set up directly across from Carnegie Museum.  Children played in the new-fenced in playground in front of the museum as parents and guardians sat on benches in the playground in the sun.

People posed in front of large, abstract art structures to have their photos taken.

PittsburghCarnegieLibrarymainbranch

PittsburghCarnegieLibrarymainbranch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Large, white tents were set up on the grass of Schenley Plaza.  Something must have been going on.  A few people even sun bathed on the grass of the plaza.

And the buildings and lawns of the campus of the University of Pittsburgh spread out as far as the eye could see with the Cathedral of Learning towering solid and gray 44 stories over the neighborhood.

I was happy to be alive and to be a writer.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog of creative writing and female sexuality.  This blog is published near the University of Pittsburgh.

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Writers, Make An Investment In Your Own Writing Talent

Posted on May 15, 2013 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Invest in America Logo.

Invest in America Logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Old Soldier use to study the stock market.  I’m not kidding.  I even bought some stock; but that didn’t last long.  I couldn’t keep making the $50.00 a month investment.  That was the deal.  I had to invest $50.00 every month.

My short career as an investor did not go to waste.  The Old Soldier took the advice of the most successful and celebrated investors and he applied it to being a writer.

I would invest in my writing talent.

Any successful investment strategy is built on knowledge of the field, investing skill and taking the long view.  You really do have to do your homework.  Not just invest but study the companies you are investing in.

And you must be willing to learn from the successful investors who are recognized as the best at what they do.

In other words, a writer must do exactly what successful investors do.

And with a little luck, your investment will eventually begin to pay off.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog of creative writing and female sexuality.  This blog is published near the University of Pittsburgh.

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No More Flash Fiction About The Vietnam War

Posted on May 14, 2013 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Cover of "Vietnam: A History"

Cover of Vietnam: A History

It has been several years since the Old Soldier wrote a short story about Vietnam.

Vietnam had a great deal to do with my decision to be a writer.  Writing fiction about the war was my way of dealing with what is now called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

Well, writing and the passing years (and plenty of beer) have done their job well.  Vietnam is a fading memory.  Vietnam, A History by Stanley Karnow is still an important part of my small personal library.  I will no doubt pick it up to read again after reading it at least 30 times over the past 20 years; but the memories will not be as immediate or as painful.

And for that the Old Soldier is thankful.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog of creative writing and female sexuality.  This blog is published near the University of Pittsburgh.

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