Family, Friends And The Flash Fiction Writer

English: American novelist, short story writer...

English: American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter Harold MacGrath (1871-1932) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A writer is never off duty.  Even when a writer lives in the moment, once the moment passes the writer must sooner or later reflect on his or her day.  The day might contain something that can be used in a short story.

Earlier today, I walked to Armand’s in Little Italy for a beer.  This was before noon.  Only two other customers sat at the bar as they watched television.  My new friend, the painter of fine art, was not there.  He’s around my age and he has always made a living as a painter of fine art.  He’s not rich, but he makes a living.  I admire anyone who makes a living at his or her art.

And he’s a good conversationalist.

But today he was not at Armand’s.  So, I finished my beer and enjoyed my walk in this beautiful summer-like weather Pittsburgh is having, back to my apartment.

After eating a sardine sandwich with onions and mustard on pumpernickel bread and washing it all down with some sweet tea, I read a little of one of my books that I checked out from the public library a few days ago.

Then it was time for another walk to visit my younger brother who lives in an assistant-living facility.  He’s younger than I am but he uses a cane and looks and acts much older.  He never goes anywhere.  He has plenty of money.  He usually slips me a few bucks when I visit him.  But he has lost his interest in life.

Over the years, I’ve written two flash fiction stories about him.

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Behind The Scenes (17 May 2013)

Honfleur, the painter of the old harbor.

Honfleur, the painter of the old harbor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yesterday was another sunny and warm spring day in Pittsburgh.

I walked to Armand’s in Little Italy to have a beer and was happy to see Tony Cacalano, the painter, sitting at the bar.  He’s a fairly well-known painter.  He’s in his 70s and whenever I see him we talk about life, painting and writing.

When I got back home I wanted to put up another post.  I’d already put up a post about writer’s block because I couldn’t come up with anything to write about; and I still couldn’t think of anything to write about.

I’d been debating with myself about changing the front page when the idea hit me: Why not showcase the work of one of your contributors?

And as soon as I asked myself that question, I knew the answer: Heather Kinnane.

There are now several of her erotic flash fiction stories and an interview on the front page.  Check them out before they rotate back to the archives.

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Andy Warhol grew up in South Oakland here in Pittsburgh.  The Old Soldier lives in North Oakland.

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

Writers, The Good News About Life Without Television

As more Americans stayed home to watch televis...

As more Americans stayed home to watch television, congresspersons had to advertise to get reelected. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When my television went on the blink I wondered, what in the world would I do with all my free time?  The Old Soldier is happy to report that life without television is working out just fine.

I listen to a lot more radio (talk shows, the news, old comedy and drama and baseball).  I’ve taken up a form of meditation.  I have more time to blog.  And most important of all, I have more time to read.

There are usually two or three books from the public library on the floor next to the sofa.

Now I’m not suggesting you should throw your television in the trash; I am suggesting that if your television does go on the blink, life without television is not a disaster.

Keep reading and keep writing that flash fiction.

*****

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

Monday Morning In The Life Of A Flash Fiction Writer

I’m sitting at the bar in Armand’s in Little Italy.  It’s around 10:30 a.m.  I’m the only customer in the bar.  Outside, it’s partly sunny in the 40s.

Little Italy World Cup Final (NYC)

Little Italy World Cup Final (NYC) (Photo credit: Michael McDonough)

Now that I’m retired, I’ve noticed that the only people in a bar this early (when there are customers) are retirees, the unemployed, derelicts and people who work the night shift.

But it’s a good time for reflection.

And recently I’ve met a painter.  He’s in his 70s and he has made a living as a painter.  I’ve Googled him and his work.  He is fairly well-known.

He came in a little while ago and we had an excellent conversation.

Now I’m going to go home and post this.

*****

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

The Joy Of Writing

Woman As Art

Woman As Art

One of the things I love about being a writer is that writing makes every day interesting.  No matter what I do during the day, I know that I can weave it into a narrative for a blog post or for a flash fiction story.

If I go for a drink at Armand’s in Little Italy, if I sing karaoke at Nico’s in Little Italy, if I hang out at Sonny’s Tavern in Little Italy, if I check out a book from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (public library), if I visit my favorite porn site, if I cook ham hocks and lima beans in my crock pot, if I find a submission from a writer that I can publish on this blog…

Well, you get the point.

Little Italy

Little Italy (Photo credit: Shelley Panzarella)

For a writer, if you are in the right state of mind, every day is part of a continuous narrative of the adventure of life and of being a writer.

Keep reading and keep writing.  This is the Old Soldier reporting from Pittsburgh.

*****

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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