Next Noble Pen Meeting

March 10, 2016 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

The author of The Martian, a movie that won many awards, discusses how it started out as a self-published book.

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Contrary to the trend for Americans to become Islamophobic, Simon and Schuster launches a series of books for and about Muslim children that could help bridge cultural differences.

Victories

Dylan finished a commission at 40,000 words and received a new one.  He put out the first newsletter for Broken Typewriter Press.

Aime W. started a new short story.

Nick found the first story he ever wrote, a short novel, and is revising it.

A Facebook blog that rates books selected Cassie’s as one of their top picks.

Stacie sold lots of books in the last month and needs to reorder.

Education

Frustration is good.  No, not yours,  but your characters’ frustrations.  Not getting what they want is what makes a plot.  It leads to other emotional reactions, wise or foolish courses of action, and later events in your story.

Readers will get bored with a main character who can do no wrong and has wonderful luck.  The character needs to overcome obstacles.  K.M. Weiland notes the types of desires a character may have trouble obtaining, and ways to be sure they don’t achieve them too soon.  Laura Backes discusses the kinds of obstacles that may frustrate your characters.

Failing to achieve a goal may not be a big deal if there aren’t big consequences.  What is at stake if your character doesn’t get around the obstacle?

Expectation is the mother of all frustration. ~Antonio Banderas

Upcoming Schedule

March 10
Cassie
Aime W.

March 17
Randy
Ciuin

March 24
Aime W.
Bill H.

March 31
Stacie
Cassie

April 7
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill