A lot of fine work has been contributed to the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette by guest writers. Why? I think it’s because this magazine has become one of the most important flash fiction magazines on the Internet, a great place to showcase work; and because I work with writers to get their work into this magazine. The process provides writers with a submissions experience that writers will be able to use to help them be more successful submitting to other publications, too. You can’t beat that with a stick.
Even when a writer’s work is not accepted for publication here, I let the writer know why and encourage that writer to keep trying by putting to use the insights that I offer. Maybe it’s time for you to send me a story. Don’t just dream of publication. Do something about it. Be sure to read and follow the submissions guidelines. The submissions tab is at the top of the page.
Now for today’s feature presentation.
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English: Source: http://www.chicagob2b.net/links/pages/CitySeal1.gif This image is a copy of the official seal of the City of Chicago, Illinois, as designed and adopted by the City in 1905. As such, it is a work authored before 1922, and is therefore in the public domain. A 1895 edition of the seal can be seen here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My Son
“You know,” I said, “I think I’ll have some meaning and a side dish of relevancy.”
The cafeteria worker looked at me like I’d gone mad. The cafeteria was packed. Working men and women just like me; tired, stressed and wondering what battle their kids were fighting at school.
Sara nudged my elbow, “Give her a break.”
The large eyes of the cafeteria worker, smudged with lots of grey mascara, shifted to my friend and then back to me.
I could read her expression, why was she slopping hash to me? Obviously she should have my job and I hers.
Maybe.
The girl was probably working two jobs and still living in her parent’s apartment somewhere in despairing Chicago.
“We have cheeseburgers and grilled cheese.” She gave me a semi-warning, semi wondering look as she announced the menu.
“We’ll take two grilled cheese and apple sauce,” Sara announced for both of us. Then elbowing me forward she hissed in my ear, “What’s the matter with you?”
“I’m despondent, despairing and dilapidated. I’m 45, divorced again and I’m worried about my son – you know all this stuff.”
We glided by the chocolate cake, all moist and shiny looking, I knew from experience it tasted like dirt, but my hand shot out and grabbed a plate. Sara took it off my tray and put it back.
The cafeteria worker had had enough, “Hey, you can’t do that, you need to…”
“Relax, it was on her tray for two seconds,” Sara snapped and pushed me harder toward the cashier. We paid for our lunch and sat down in a dark corner, listening to the rumbling of other voices. Finally Sara put down her rubber sandwich and started in.
“Your numbers are still down.”
“I know.”
“Listen, everyone knows you are depressed.”
I thought of my son. I told him twice I was divorcing, once from his father and once from someone who could have been my father. I wondered how my 13-year-old boy would take a job loss. I thought of his twitching eyebrows, and tense shoulders, his brusque shrugs and heavy morning good-bye hugs. My son deserved better than me…
Outside Chicago rained and inside my friend, Sara was talking to me earnestly. Somewhere in Florida, my parents golfed and laughed on the telephone about spending my inheritance. They sent my son a Wii for Christmas.
“Are you listening to me?” asked Sara
“No.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Wondering if my son will make it home, make all the ’L’ connections.”
“How is the new school?”
“Just as many bullies but more attentive teachers.”
“He hates it.”
“Yes.”
“There is talk they’ll send our jobs to India.”
“What time do they go to work, to answer calls from the U.S.?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m taking my 401k, my son and I’m leaving Chicago.”
“Uh-huh, where will you go?”
“Down the road to Indiana, find a job, a plot of land, and make a garden.”
Later, my son smiled and waved Chicago good-bye. I smiled at my inheritance.
The End
Bio: Sandra Woodiwiss lives and writes in Northern Indiana. www.lydiaink.com
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Help For Aspiring Writers
Image via Wikipedia
If you are an aspiring writer, now is the time to make your dream of publication in a respected magazine come true. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is the most dynamic flash fiction blog on the Internet. It has a submissions policy of working with aspiring writers to get their work into The Gazette.
Even when a story is not right for The Gazette, the writer is told why and is encouraged to try again. The hope of The Gazette is that not only will the writer have a better idea of how to get published here, but the writer will gain insights that will improve his or her chances of publishing in other publications.
The submissions tab is at the top of the page.
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