Noble Pen Meeting
July 9, 2009
Happy Chef, 1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
…there’s a hormone secreted into the bloodstream of most writers that makes them hate their own work while they are doing it, or immediately after. This, coupled with the chorus of critical reaction from those privileged to take a first look, is almost enough to discourage further work entirely.
–Frances Ford Coppola
A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
–Mark Twain
Victories
Nick got an HP netbook. He will now explore the final frontier of e-mailing attachments.
Bill and I both have ideas for new sci-fi pieces. His will involve transmission correction algorithms. Mine will have drinking, gambling, and nudity.
After several warnings, Facebook has decided not to cancel Ian’s account despite his penchant for complete sentences. Of course, grammar isn’t the only thing Facebook has destroyed.
I have a new keyboard too. Mine is made of aluminum. ALUMINUM!
Editorial Note: I was going to do links in the above victories, but for some reason they were all highly offensive. They will be available upon request.
News
The New York Times blog has a wonderful piece using illustration and informal prose to tell a bit about Thomas Jefferson.
The editor of the Absent Willow Review asked me to inform you they are looking for submissions. They offer a $50 prize to the best story in an issue.
B&N.com has discounted minimum shipping for the holiday weekend; you can get free expedited (three biz days or less on in stock items) shipping for online orders of $10 (versus the usual $25.)
You know how every once in awhile I say that I got something off the site of that Canadian Sci-Fi author whose name I can never remember? His name is Robert J. Sawyer, and he is a Hugo and Nebula winner. Here is his information on writing. Some of it is a little outdated, but it’s good stuff.
Upcoming Critiques
Thursday, July 9th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique
Revised chapters from Ciuin?
A Convenient Truth—new chapters from Ian.
Ian and Ciuin, please note
Tell me by Saturday if you cannot make it for any reason, and I’ll give Scott an extra slot, as he’s going to be on the injured list towards the end of the month.
Thursday, July 16. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique
Exodus Chapter 7, by Nick. I have two extra copies I will bring next week.
Revelation, Chapters 47-, by Scott Clark. Visit his website at saclark.com, navigate to the “Publishers” tab, and click on the “NP” button to download copies of this section. If you cannot access his website, email him
Thursday, July 25th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique
Right now, we don’t have anyone requesting these slots. If we don’t get anything by Monday, I will be calling a flash fiction contest using prompts given to me by Bill. Also, I have some revisions of Call of the Beast I’d like to throw into the ring at some point.
Keep Writing
Shannon