Next Noble Pen Meeting

July 2nd, 2015 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

What if Chaucer had Twitter?   Someone is writing with that premise.  It’s not exactly quotes from the past, as shown by phrases such as “thy portable xboxe CCCLX.”

Victories

Tyree’s Bombay Sapphire is out in print.  One of his stories was accepted for a Lovecraft-themed anthology.  He now has a smart phone and knows how to use several features.

Barbara has her computer set up in the new house and is ready to write again.

Laura submitted chapter 4 of the Avon contest, and then found ways to improve it before the revision cutoff.  She also submitted an optional cover artwork.

Education

Giving effective critiques is an art in itself, and is fraught with interpersonal complexities.  Melissa Donovan offers some advice on giving effective but diplomatic critiques.  Here’s a list of topics to think about in writing a critique.

Sometimes it is hard to accept critiques after you worked so hard on a piece.   Pia Padukone tells about how hard it was for her to accept criticism, and how she got over it.  Here are Melissa Donovan’s thoughts.

You need to consider that there are many opinions out there, and you are trying to write something that will hold the interest of as many readers as possible.  There is a rule of thumb that if one person says something, it’s just their opinion.  If two say it, you should expect that others may think the same thing.  If many people say it, you have to concede that they have a point.

In the end, after you consider all the opinions, you still can think about selected reviewers, “You’re not my target audience.”

Upcoming Schedule

Jul 2
Dylan
Eugenia

Jul 9
Laura
Tyree (?)

Jul 16
Nick
Open slot

Jul 23
Jed
Open slot

Jul 30
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill