The Noble Pen for June 27, 2013

Next Noble Pen Meeting

June 27th, 2013 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

We’re collecting a list of good writing references you would be willing to loan to other members, giving title, author, and publisher.  Send your information to the moderator.

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Dylan renewed the noblepencr.org domain name for five years at a cost of $52.50.  We collected some donations to cover part of that and will accept any further donations at the meeting.

Victories

Ciuin found a bunch of errors in the labeling of museum displays and, when relating this to local museum people, was asked to consult on labeling of an upcoming exhibit.

Tyree did research for one of his stories by asking a local pharmacist about prescriptions for heart patients.  There are experts all around who might help you with facts for a story.

Education

An author must do a lot of self-editing to hone their work to its best.  You may be tempted to not do it right, and commit some of the seven deadly sins of self-editing.

You might benefit from an mechanics editing checklist or  general editing checklist.  Jody Hedlund has a list tailored to fiction writers.  She and others say many people catch different problems on paper versus on the screen.  Natalie Sharpston agrees, and for either she has an excellent list.

When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest. ~Stephen King

The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its Writer. ~Zadie Smith

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads. ~Dr. Seuss

Edit your manuscript until your fingers bleed and you have memorized every last word. Then, when you are certain you are on the verge of insanity…edit one more time! ~C.K. Webb

Upcoming Schedule

June 27th

Tyree
Jed
Aimee

July 4th

No meeting

July 11th

Nick
Shannon
Ciuin

July 18th

Tyree
Jed
Nick

July 25th

Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill