Noble Pen Meeting, August 13th, 2009

Noble Pen Meeting

August 13th, 2009
Happy Chef, 1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

Do you know like we were saying, about the earth revolving? It’s like when you’re a kid, the first time they tell you that the world’s turning, and you just can’t quite believe it cuz everything looks like it’s standing still. I can feel it. The turn of the earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and the entire planet is hurtling around the sun at 67000 miles an hour. And I can feel it. We’re falling through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go… That’s who I am. Now, forget me, Rose Tyler. Go home.
–Doctor Who

Victories

I am done with editing my chapter fifteen. Of those, 3 might not suck, and I still have 10 to go.

Adam is a low talker for Happy Chef, but if I understood him right, he wrote 100 pages last week, and has not yet slept.

One of Ciuin’s articles made the cover and center spread of City Revealed this month, the article wasn’t even about the editor’s children, and she’s already been paid.

News

Nathan Bransford’s blog has a good guest article on giving and receiving a good critique.

The Intern has a 5 tips on using numbers in your title.

Lettie Prell, my coworker and author of Dragon Ring, asked me to spread the word that she will be doing many events at ICON this year.

Upcoming Critiques

Thursday, Aug 13th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Events

I planned awesome stuff, so show up.

We are having a writing contest as detailed below. Right now, I have only two entries, but I will be accepting submissions until Sunday noon–when will I unleash the hurga.

We will be joined by Catherine Schaff-Stump of the Kirkwood English Department. Catherine is in the process of getting a young adult novel published by a small press. She is going to share some of her experiences with us. Her bio is further down the page.

Thursday, Aug 20th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Exodus Chapter 9, Nick passed out copies.

George- Chances Are. Email him for a copy.

Thursday, Aug 27th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Something by Ciuin

Ian – Some more Convenient Truth

Thursday, Sept 3rd. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Something by Ciuin

Something by Adam

Thursday, Sept 10th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Something by Ciuin

Possibly Scott depending on recovery.

Writing Contest

Submissions due: Sunday noon.

Write a piece of flash fiction based on one of the following prompts–provided by Bill.

  1. A visit to the dentist. Write about your protagonist’s reactions, or what he/she saw and heard from the other patients.
  2. What does a dollar bill hear in a day’s travel
  3. A fortune cookie comes true in an ironic way
  4. The piano tuner. Use either his/her POV or a client’s.
  5. Cat’s eye view – what does your pet see/think?
  6. Junk drawer. Everybody has a place they put stuff that has no other place to belong. Write a story that uses several items from the junk drawer.

The winner will receive one of my writing books, or pie.

Catherine Schaff-Stump

By day, Catherine Schaff-Stump is an English teacher at a community college.  In the evening and on the weekends, not only does Catherine fight crime, but she also writes fiction of the fantastic.  Her first novel, Hulk Hercules, Professional Wrestler, is due out in January, 2010.  You can find out more about her and her escapades on her website, http://cathschaffstump.com

Keep Writing

Shannon