Next Noble Pen Meeting

October 27th, 2016 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

Nationally known Cedar Rapids author Ed Gorman died October 14th at age 74.  He published over fifty books and seven short story collections in multiple genres, but was best know for crime, mystery, horror, and western works.

Victories

Randy sent 30 queries, and received 12 rejections.

Dylan rewrote 15k words (5 chapters) to avoid a plot hole.

Cassie wrote a scene for Fight to Bear, although she isn’t sure where it fits yet, and another 2k word chapter.  She heard chapter 1 of her audio book and likes it.

Andrea finished a good outline for the book she has been writing on, so better knows where it is headed.

Education

Critiquing other writers’ work may seem like you are doing them a favor, but most people find the experience actually improves their own writing as well.  Seeing problems in unfamiliar words sensitizes you to things you might pass over in your own work.

Here’s a list from Amy Sterling Casil of things to think about when preparing critique or editing your own work.  Victory Crayne has another good one.  Rich Hamper looks at it from both the critiquer and author points of view.

WritingForums is an on-line place for writers to chat, submit pieces for critique, and practice the art of critique.  Critique Circle is another.  However, posting to an on-line forum exposes your work to the world, which could have implications for future publication, so you might want to just read and practice critique there, or keep submissions short.

Upcoming Schedule

Oct 27
Riley
Laura
Randy

Nov 3
Nick
Cassie
Andrea

Nov 10
Dakota
Open slots

Nov 17
Open slots

Nov 24
Thanksgiving – no meeting

Dec 1
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill