Creative Writing: Want New Ideas? Try New Routines.

February 24, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Since I’m temporarily broke and don’t have money for beer or to hang out in bars, I went to the public library.

The main branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is about a 15-minute walk from my apartment.  I had the large room that the browsing journals are in all to myself.  I looked at two magazines about writing and looked at a small booklet about girlie pin-ups from the 1950s.

Whenever I’m in the public library I never feel like I’m retired.  I feel like I’m a student.  It’s a great feeling.  We writers are students for a life time.  I checked out a book, a new critical history of Christopher Columbus.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Image via Wikipedia

The day is overcast but the temperature is in the 50s.  I had a nice walk and now I’m back in my apartment.  And now I have a new post to put up.  After I publish this I’m going to do something else that I would never do if I had money in my pocket.  I’m going to run the vacuum cleaner.

Just by changing my routine I have something different to blog about.

*****

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The 2011 PA Rent Rebate Forms Are In

February 23, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Hello all you senior citizens out there.  It’s the Old Soldier here with a report from the senior citizens frontline. 

Recently, I was talking to a young man at Sonny’s Tavern about this blog and the young man said to me that once a senior citizen got one look at all the naked women on this blog and how much text there is about sex, that senior citizen would click onto something else quick, fast and in a hurry.

He’s probably right.

And that’s a shame because the Old Soldier is a senior citizen and he reports on things that are of interest to other senior citizens.

For instance: I picked up the 2011 Pennsylvania Property Tax or Rent Rebate Program just a little while ago; but I didn’t get the form at a Senior Citizens Center.  The center that I went to had not gotten their forms yet.  The people at the center suggested that I try the public library right next door.

I did and the public library had the form with all of the other tax forms.  I’ll be filling out the form in a few days.

I really can’t be the only senior citizen who likes to look at youthful, naked women or who likes to read and write about sex. 

Can I?

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Pittsburgh, PA.

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A Meditation On Writing Flash Fiction

February 22, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

As the editor/publisher of the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, the Old Soldier has a lot of his flash fiction on this blog and he gives a lot of tips on writing flash fiction.

I’m just going to run pass you a few things on how I write my flash fiction.  If you find anything useful for writing your own flash fiction, great.

I seldom write a story that has no dialogue in it.  I’ve done it, but that is not my signature if you know what I’m talking about.  That’s because dialogue gives an immediacy to a story that nothing else can.

I spend very little time telling the reader what is going to happen, what kind of people the characters are and what the conflict or tension in the story is.  The characters interacting with each other takes care of all of that.

And finally, I want the reader to finish the story and to sit back and to think, I bet the writer based this story on a real event.

Most of the time I do.

That’s how I write a flash fiction story.

*****

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Thinking About Boobs In Pittsburgh

February 20, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Interesting title for this post, huh?  This morning the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette had over 4,600 hits for the month of February.  It is averaging over 230 hits every day.  People click on this blog because of the articles, the commentaries and the fiction.  There also is no doubt that people click on this blog because of the celebration of nude women and the sexuality of all women.

So, as a marketing device I’m considering doing a series, Boobs In Pittsburgh.  It will be a photo series of local women going topless for the readers of the PFF Gazette.  I don’t know exactly how I’m going to do it.  But it’s in the works.  More on this later.

*****

Don’t miss a single issue of the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette.  Take out a free subscription today.  The Subscription tab is at the top of the page.

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Keeping It Fresh: No Such Thing by John Mayer

February 8, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier has been on duty since 6:OO AM.  How’s everyone doing?  The city is getting a light dusting of snow and the high will only be around 34 degrees.  There is karaoke tonight at Del’s and the Old Soldier is building up his courage to try a totally new song: No Such Thing by John Mayer.

Now I know from the get go that I am not going to do well singing this song.  I don’t know the words and have never done it before in public.  But we’re talking karaoke here my friends.

If you do as much karaoke as I do you find out that there are two kinds of karaoke singers.  The ones who sing the same three or four songs year after year and the ones who try different songs.

I prefer to be in the second group.

*****

English: John Mayer at the Mile High Music Fes...

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And since this is a blog, trying something different on your blog is a good thing, too.  A good blog has to have a focus; but every once in a while you want to give your readers something unexpected.

*****

The reason the Old Soldier is such a fan of karaoke is because he is a frustrated lead singer.  I took my experience as a lead singer and made a story out of it.

The story is from the archives and is included in the article “Writing About Rock ‘N’ Roll”.  The article will have a limited run on the Front Page starting today.  Be sure to check it out.

*****

Read.  Study.  Write.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a news magazine about writing and sexuality.

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Blogging: 5,830 Hits For January 2012

February 1, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The numbers for January 2012 are in.  This blog got 5,830 hits last month.  The Old Soldier knows that the big boys and girls of blogging get 10 times and even 100 times that number of hits every month; but 5,830 hits a month for a little niche blog like this one is pretty good.  If the readership of this blog increases by just 100 hits every month, the Old Soldier will be a happy man.

*****

Tonight is karaoke night at Del’s in Bloomfield.  I plan to be there.  Monday I phoned my younger brother who lives in an assistant living facility and yesterday I phoned the Matriarch.  So much for the personal life of this flash fiction writer.

*****

Only Hits

Image via Wikipedia

The Old Soldier is excited about the year 2012.  The PFF Gazette will cover items that I hope will be of interest to my readers.  There will be items of interest to senior citizens, bloggers, writers, the 99% and men and women who appreciate the publication’s approach to sexuality.

I have said this before and I will say it here again.  This publication is definitely not for everyone.  But it may be just right for you.

Read.  Study.  Write.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a news magazine of writing and sexuality.

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Successful Blogging: Find A Routine You Can Live With

January 31, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Are you a serious blogger?  I’m a serious blogger.  My stats page this morning said that this blog has over 5,600 hits for the month of February; but I know if this blog is ever going to crack the 6,000-hits ceiling for one month I’ve got to have a routine that I can live with.

I mean, now that I’m retired, blogging is my full-time job.  It’s the best job I’ve ever had because I love what I’m doing and I’m the boss.

So, I’m going to get up early and publish at least two posts every day.  That’s my routine.  Now all I have to do is stick to it.

What’s your routine?

*****

Blog of the day once again

Image by the Italian voice via Flickr

Hello hello hello all my brother and sister bloggers, readers, writers and my Flash Fiction Fanatics.  The Old Soldier has a new attitude and is moving to the attack.  It’s around 9:00 AM (when I actually wrote this post) and it will be sunny today with a high around 60.  Strange weather for Pittsburgh in February.

Writers have to do the mundane things in life just like everyone else.  So, my to-do list for today is to buy some 100 watt-light bulbs, deposit my Giant Eagle pension check into my savings account, call the Matriarch and return my book about Hunter S. Thompson to the public library.

I’ve already had breakfast (Ramen Noodles with a few pieces of cooked turkey and raw garlic and an energy drink) and I’ve already done my breathing and stretching exercises (karaoke tomorrow night at Del’s).  The sun is shinning and it’s time to take a hot shower and to see what adventures we can share today.

This is the Old Soldier blogging near the University of Pittsburgh.

*****

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a news magazine about writing and sexuality.

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The Best In Erotic Flash Fiction Entertainment And Much More

January 24, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

If you enjoy good writing and you are open-minded about sex, this news magazine is for you. 

I’m your host, the Old Soldier.  I call myself the Old Soldier because I’m a Vietnam War veteran.  I call this blog a news magazine because its editorial content covers blogging and writing with commentaries and reports on items in the media and on life that the blog’s readership may be interested in.  Female sexuality is one of these items.

The Old Soldier will guarantee you two things.  You will find content that may be too sexually explicit for your enjoyment; but you will also find content that you will enjoy very much: like some of the best mainstream, literary, erotic and sexually explicit flash fiction on the internet.

And I am eager to publish your poem, non-fiction and short story.  Check out Send Poetry, Anything Goes and Submissions at the top of the page.  The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette has gotten over 4, 500 hits so far this month.  People will see your work.

Read.  Study.  Write.

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Successful Blogging After The Age Of 60

January 23, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette
Seal of the United States Social Security Admi...

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I believe I can speak with some authority on this subject.  The Old Soldier is 65 years old and in a good place in his life.  Oh, sure, I wish I was richer, younger and better looking; but none of that is going to happen.

The Old Soldier does have working-class financial security because of Social Security and two pensions; and he is in good health.

This does not mean that I can’t drop dead before I finish this post.  It does mean that I have an opportunity to blog full-time; and I love being a full-time blogger.  This is the best job I’ve ever had in my life.  And maybe one day I’ll actually make some money from my little blog.  This blog now gets over 5,000 hits a month.  Can 6,000 hits a month be far behind?

The point of this post is this: old age can provide a person with opportunities that he or she did not have when he or she was younger.

Gray power!

*****

Oh, what is the secret to successful blogging after the age of 60?  To identify a need or a want and to provide that need or want.  The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette provides serious writing and brazen sexuality.

*****

English: The Young and the Restless, logo of t...

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Today has turned out to be a lovely day in Pittsburgh, mild and sunny.

I broke down and transferred some money from my savings account into my checking account so that I could get a withdrawal and have a couple of beers at Sonny’s Tavern.  The Old Soldier finds it nearly impossible to stay inside when he has money in the bank. 

I had two beers, watched The Young and the Restless, got a six-pack of beer and walked back home.

I feel much better.  Now I’m going to read a little of my Hunter S. Thompson book, watch the evening news on public television and think deep thoughts: flash fiction, female orgasm, karaoke…and maybe with my new financial stability I can find a woman in her 40s or older who would want to deal with me.

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Stuffing Dollar Bills Down Haely’s Cleavage

January 21, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

I jotted this in my notebook last night.

It’s around 9:30 PM.  I sit at the bar at Sonny’s Tavern.  The young, sexy Haely (I hope I spelled her name right.  I told her I was going to blog about her, to check out the magazine on Monday.) is behind the bar.  In real life she is a pharmacy intern.  On Friday nights she’s the hot bartender at Sonny’s.  Just jeans and a long-sleeve jersey, showing some nice cleavage.  And she wears glasses, too.  She’s in her twenties.  You got to love it.

Well, I don’t know if Joannie the DJ is going to have karaoke.  If she does I’ll sing It’s My Life by The Animals because I know the lyrics.  The monitor forces you to turn your back on the audience and you never want to do that.

But the real action is at Del’s.

*****

I’m at Del’s now.  It is snowing outside.  We are supposed to get three inches of snow and three inches of ice in the next few hours.  Del’s is dead.  It’s 10:30 PM.

I got up and did It’s My Life by The Animals, but that is not the important thing.

I asked the DJ how much the cordless mike cost, because I throw it around pretty good, hand to hand and up in the air.  The Old Soldier told you he was a performance artist, not jus a karaoke singer.

The DJ told me that when the salesman was pitching the karaoke system, he ran over the mike with a car.

I have been released.

*****

I wrote this around 11:00 AM Saturday morning.

So, the weather killed karaoke at Del’s but not business at Sonny’s Tavern.  I left Del’s and walked back to Sonny’s.  Sonny’s was packed.  A young crowd.  I got a seat at the bar.  And there was Haely, slinging booze.

There is a strong lesbian element at Sonny’s.  I mention this in passing.  The first time I saw women stuffing dollar bills down Haely’s cleavage I thought it was hot.  The Old Soldier thought this was a great way to give Haely a tip.

So, last night, for the second time, I stuffed a couple of dollar bills down Haely’s cleavage.  Two fingers can only tell you so much.  But the girl is full and firm.

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Your Destination For Serious Writing And Brazen Sexuality

January 5, 2012 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

There is only one way for you to experience the unique mixture of serious writing and brazen sexuality that this magazine offers to readers: explore the site.

The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is over three years old.  There are more than 2,600 pieces of content on this blog.  The mission of the PFF Gazette is to give support to aspiring writers and to offer them a place to showcase their work.

The PFF Gazette is also an online newspaper where you will find flash commentaries on life and the world we live in.

Then there is the magazine’s focus on women.  The PFF Gazette celebrates women in its own naughty way.

So, explore the site and the Old Soldier believes you too will agree that this publication is a great place for serious writing and brazen sexuality.

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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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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...

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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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Flash Fiction As A Second Language

December 16, 2011 — pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Flash fiction is the reason that the Old Soldier publishes the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette.  Yes, a visitor to this magazine will find commentaries on the world we live in, articles on blogging and writing and photo studies of the nude female form.  But without flash fiction, this publication would have no reason for being.

I like to say that this magazine is the online Playboy Magazine for short story readers and writers.  That’s pretty accurate.

Flash fiction is a language all its own.  It is the language of brevity.  It is the language of conciseness.  Above all it is the language of suggestion.  There are plenty of examples of this second language on this blog.

Read.  Study.  Write.

*****

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

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