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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Filed under: This Writing Life | Tagged: art, brother, family, fine art, flash fiction writer, friends, good conversationalist, life, Pittsburgh, television | 1 Comment »
Writer, Talk Radio Has Something Important To Teach Us
Woman As Art
There was a time many years ago when I decided not to have a television. I was a young writer and I set up some very strict rules for myself to ensure that one day I would be a good writer.
I felt that I should spend my free time reading novels and short stories, not watching television. I felt that television sapped my creativity.
Well, that period in my life lasted about five years.
Eventually, I did get a television. And I’ve enjoyed watching television ever since. I watch public television, sports and the new channels I was able to get with my converter box. I still refuse to pay for cable.
A digital TV converter box (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So, when my television recently went kaput, I didn’t think too much about it. I just decided to listen to more radio, especially at night. I started to listen to talk-radio.
Some of the stuff the talk-radio hosts talk about is nonsense. Most of them, not all of them, but most of them are in the business of inciting their listeners about whatever happens to be the hot topic in the news.
Fiction Stacks (Photo credit: chelmsfordpubliclibrary)
But here’s the thing; the more successful talk-radio hosts have their own distinct, recognizable style of delivery. They use their voices like musical instruments: pitch, tone, volume, pauses, pacing, elocution, diction, syntax and agenda. Agenda is very important.
A writer must also find his or her own distinct voice if he or she is to stand out from the crowd.
The Old Soldier can’t tell you how to find your own distinct voice. You simple have to know how important a distinct personal voice is and then work your way towards your own distinctive voice.
It’s something I’ve been working towards for years.
This is the Old Soldier reporting from Pittsburgh.
*****
Be sure to check the front page for the latest update. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is an online magazine of reporting, writing and brazen sexuality.
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Filed under: Commentaries | Tagged: creativity, distinctive voice, life, novels and short stories, Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, talk-radio, television, young writer | 5 Comments »