Next Noble Pen Meeting

August 16th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

An essay says that reading horror fiction prepares us to deal with the terrible things that happen in the real world.

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Jean-Luc Picard fans will be glad to know Patrick Stewart is coming back in the role in a new Star Trek series.

Victories

Eric has his book in print.

Uriah has outlined the plot for the rest of his novel.

Logan got a personal and detailed rejection from a magazine.

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.   Another article emphasizes giving usefull 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.  Another group has guidelines not so different from our own Member Guide. Nathan Bransford has advice on receiving critique and editorial changes.

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

Aug 16
Ciuin
Laura
Uriah

Aug 23
Logan
Ciuin
Open slot

Aug 30
Aime
Open slots

Sept 6
Nick
Open slots

Sept 13
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill