Next Noble Pen Meeting

August 13th, 2015 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

In an interview, long-time author Usula K. Le Guin (see wikipedia) names a wide variety of books and authors she likes, but stubbornly refuses to pick any absolute favorites.

Victories

Dylan is posting Sand and Ash as a weekly serial.

Tyree got proofs for Bombay Sapphire II and turned them back in.  He may be getting an agent, and BS could be considered for a movie.

Cassie wrote another 6,000 words on the paranormal Christmas romance.

Ciuin was asked to write the text panels for a museum exhibit.

Nick started editing Part 2 of Earth Ends.

Education

Where do you start your story?  All stories happen over time, and the author must decide whether to present events in chronological order, in some interesting disorder, or start at an attention-grabbing point and fill in the background later (in medias res) – but not necessarily the MOST action-packed moment.

Michael Rabiger explains the many timeline options in terms of film, but novelists should gain insights as well.

Flashbacks can be used if not overdone, but it is best to fill in all you can of the information the reader needs about preceding events with a minimum of flashbacks.  Here are some tips on using and avoiding flashbacks.

And now the sequence of events in no particular order. ~Dan Rather

A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order. ~Jean-Luc Godard

Upcoming Schedule

Aug 13
Ciuin (Dylan backup)
Stacie

Aug 20
Cassie
Ciuin?

Aug 27
Tyree (?)
Open slot

Sept 3
Open slots

Sept 10
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill