Next Noble Pen Meeting

August 9th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

We’ve heard it before – many reviews are paid-for fakes.  Here’s a story about a product and a guy who does paid reviews.  Amazon claims only 1% of reviews are faked, but others wonder. The caution also applies to books.  An article discusses how to spot fakes.

Victories

Randy is beta reading Flight for Dylan.

Education

Authors are sometimes advised to “write what you know.” A long list of authors gave their advice about this.

Certainly personal knowledge makes it easier to set up and describe scenes, people, and places.  But research can fill in what you don’t know about real places and history, and imagination can add a lot, especially for futuristic settings.

If you write about real places, do research to get the geography right. (Dan Brown, I’m looking at you.)  If your character has a profession, research enough to know what they would spend their day doing.  Don’t give historical characters actions they would have been unlikely to do.  But there is still a lot of room to make stuff up.

If you write fantasy, vampires, or space opera don’t let yourself be limited by what others have done.  Make new rules for vampires.  Invent a new way to travel space.  Write a fantasy that is not in a medieval setting.

Upcoming Schedule

Aug 9
Logan
Uriah
Aime

Aug 16
Ciuin
Laura
Uriah

Aug 23
Logan
Ciuin
Open slot

Aug 30
Open slots

Sept  6
Nick
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

August 2nd, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

You might like a discussion by several writers of thrillers.

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M and M Books near Johnson and Edgewood has a good display of local authors’ books.

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Donald Kaul, insightful and witty columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and Des Moines Register, Pulitzer winner, and co-founder of RAGBRAI, died recently at age 83.

Victories

Randy participated at I.O.W.A and sold books.  He met someone there who was on the jury for the case that inspired Sins of Intent.  Sins of Omission is back from the first editor and is expected in a couple weeks from the second editor.

Education

An article lists seven essential elements of a good novel.  First among those is readability, which starts with clear expression and finds ways to hold interest.  Another article starts with plot and character development.  This blog lists sixteen elements, and clarity is first.

Upcoming Schedule

Aug 2
Nick
Nathan
Stacie

Aug 9
Logan
Uriah
Aime

Aug 16
Ciuin
Open slots

Aug 23
Open slots

Aug 30
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

July 26th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

What story scared you the most? Several authors answer.

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The bake shop will sell your book.  Ask Ciuin for details.

Victories

Ciuin wrote more on CM.

Education

Many words and phrases linger in English but have become idiom because their original meaning is obsolete. Everybody knows the phrase “carbon copy,” but how many have actually used carbon paper to make a copy? For a writer, it’s a tradeoff between using phrases that carry a sense of the past versus losing readers who don’t have that history.

Someone may say they were “hung out to dry” if left alone to face a problem, but how many have hung out clothes to dry on a clothesline? Who has actually heard a “broken record” on the phonograph?Have  you bought anything that was “a dime a dozen” recently? “Don’t touch that dial,” but do you have a radio or TV upon which you can actually turn a dial? Is it bigger than a bread box?

Many other phrases never had a literal interpretation, but convey a sense of the past to those old enough to remember their use. Life used to be “swell”, but when’s the last time anything was swell, cool, far out, or neato? Gee whillikers!  Can you dig it?

There are more of these old expressions “than Carter had liver pills”. “Kilroy was here”, but he isn’t anymore. This is a fine kettle of fish! Do you look “like the wreck of the Hesperus” when you get up? Heavens to Betsy! I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat! Holy moley!

You can’t bring those days back, not for all the tea in China, but you can remind people of them by using them when writing a story set in the past.  Just be careful not to lose the younger readers who aren’t familiar with them.  See ‘ya later, alligator!  Catch ya’ on the flip side.

Upcoming Schedule

Jul 26
Uriah
Aime
Ciuin

Aug 2
Nick
Open slots

Aug 9
Open slots

Aug 16
Open slots

Aug 23
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

July 19th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

An article discusses how romance novels have tended to ignore ethnic diversity and people with disabilities, and recent developments that widen their view.

Victories

Randy has the cover for his book, now showing the whole coffin.  He got the results back from the editor in record time.

Ciuin wrote on Chessmaster and killed a vampire.  She sold a book at the bake shop.

Nick wrote a train report.

Aime was contacted by an outfit wanting her to buy advertising for her book.

Stacie is researching humor to find what might work in her so-serious book.

Education

Sometimes you may try to write and nothing happens.  Writer’s block.  Here are some tips for getting around it.  The key is to get around it, not through it.  Don’t just stare at the page or re-write the same sentence hoping it will get better.  Do something different, whether it is to change method, location, subject, or incentive.  Write another part of the story instead.

Don’t mistake distraction for writer’s block.  If you are constantly being interrupted by messages, turn off your phone or unplug your router (Last time I checked this was NOT a crime).   There are phone apps that will disable F*ceb**k and Messanger for a prescribed length of time.

Also, don’t demand that your output be perfect.  Just write something and know you can improve it later.  Charlie Jane Anders discusses several types of block and how to deal with them in an article that also has some cool pictures.

It’s hard to find words to describe writer’s block. ~unknown

Writer’s block – when your imaginary friends won’t talk to you. ~unknown

If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word. ~Margaret Atwood

Upcoming Schedule

Jul 12
Uriah
Logan
Aime

Jul 19
Ciuin
Stacie
Logan

Jul 26
Uriah
Aime
Ciuin

Aug 2
Nick
Open slots

Aug 9
Open slots

Aug 16
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

July 12th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

Award-winning SF author Harlan Ellison (wikipedia) died recently at age 84.  He wrote over 1700 works, including short stories, novellas, episodes for Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and Star Trek, and films scripts. He was sometimes called “America’s weird uncle” because of his outspoken and contentious personality and the unusual situations and portrayals in his stories.  Here’s a remembrance.

Victories

Randy did a local signing, which was a very limited success.

Education

If you self-publish, you are responsible for the “cover” art, which you hope will have entice people to buy, whether print or ebook.  There is lots of advice on line.  You can find cover-builders on line, suchas this one or this one that will let you upload images or sell you theirs.  This site shows covers that they think don’t do a good job of selling.  Some of the titles could be improved, too.  See what you think.  And here’s another collection of questionable book covers.

The “blurb” testimonials usually seen on the back covers of books are a common marketing device, intended to convince the reader that other people think it is a book worth reading.   The word blurb was coined in 1907.  A search for the terms blurb request will find many articles about getting people to help you by writing them.

Noelle Sterne has some thoughts about gathering testimonials.  Here’s another view, saying the blurbs are a small factor in readers choices but still worthwhile.  Best-selling authors get too many requests to comply unless you have some  connection to them.  More advice on requesting a blurb.

Upcoming Schedule

Jul 12
Uriah
Logan
Aime

Jul 19
Ciuin
Stacie
Logan

Jul 26
Open slots

Aug 2
Nick
Open slots

Aug 9
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

July 5th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

If you aren’t politically correct, they will get you eventually.  Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name has been removed from a prestigious award because of complaints about her portrayal of Native Americans, despite those attitudes historically reflecting the society she grew up in.

Victories

Randy’s book was chosen to be read by a group and he sold 20 copies.  He has a signing at M&M Books on Saturday.

Stacie got a night by herself to write.

Education

How do you end your chapters?  Cliffhanger chapter endings give the reader an incentive to turn the page, but too many cliffhangers can make readers feel like Charlie Brown after Lucy pulls the football for the umpteenth time.

Beth Hill explains that a reader should feel that something was accomplished in the chapter so it can’t be the same conflict or danger every time.

Yet something should make them curious enough to keep reading.  Hints, partial resolutions, and new problems help.  Selecting the right sentence to end the chapter is important.  Anne R. Allen gives her take, with an example.  K.M. Weiland offers more ideas.

Upcoming Schedule

Jul 5
Nick
Stacie S.
Ciuin

Jul 12
Uriah
Logan
Aime

Jul 19
Ciuin
Open slots

Jul 26
Open slots

Aug 2
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

June 28th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

We are becoming dependent on software for more and more functions vital to our way of life, from the functioning of our cars to the delivery of electric power to homes and businesses.  A journalist looks at our vulnerability.  There’s probably a novel or a few in that idea.

Victories

Ciuin wrote more on Chessmaster.  She found two readers and at least one is a big fan.

Stacie found reader for her story.

Education

Sometimes a sentence can get a general idea across, but doesn’t precisely express what was in the writer’s mind, or is awkward to read.  Finding the right word can make for better communication.  K. M. Weiland has some advice on this.

When you are looking for that exact word, a thesaurus can be helpful, either as a book from your shelf, in your word processor, or as on-line tools.

But as Richard Nordquist warns, you have to be careful to choose that word.  Just grabbing one (or worse, more) out of the list of synonyms can leave you far off the mark if you don’t understand the nuances.  “Ann endured a tedious wait to be seen by the councilor” should not become “Ann permitted an irksome dally to be perceived by the assemblyman.”  Yet those substitutions are all synonyms in some sense.

Don’t inflate your sentences with bigger words. “Her brother brought the picnic party food in his car” could turn into “Her male sibling conveyed the outdoor celebratory comestibles in his automobile.”

Upcoming Schedule

Jun 28
Aime
Uriah
Randy

Jul 5
Nick
Stacie S.
Ciuin

Jul 12
Logan
Open slots

Jul 19
Open slots

Jul 26
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

June 21st, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

In this on-line world, even dictionaries are getting into the action, sometimes with controversy.

Victories

Nathan wrote on a new story.

Logan read Ben Bova’s Science Fiction that Sells and learned a lot.

Education

If you are submitting to an agent or publisher, pay attention to their formatting requirements.

There are many older format styles around, some that may not have been updated since the Smith-Corona typewriter was invented.  Here’s a newer one suggested by a successful author for use when your target doesn’t have anything specific.  Here’s a checklist  summary and an even briefer list.

Upcoming Schedule

Jun 21
Logan
Ciuin
Stacie

Jun 28
Aime
Laura
Open slot

Jul 5
Nick
Open slots

Jul 12
Randy
Logan
Open slot

Jul 19
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

June 14th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

A study examines what goes in in a child’s brain when they are exposed to stories of various kinds.

Victories

Randy finished the draft for “Sins of Omission.”

Dakota wrote 1,000 words in the last week.

Cuin convinced someone to start writing.

Nick did more editing and wrote a bit on his trilogy.

Education

Writers can benefit from looking at things differently now and then.   We often don’t see what we don’t expect to see.  Another article urges us to think more about our surroundings and observe, not just look. This one does, too.

Here’s a more extreme example: the guy at xkcd looking at how our world would be different if theearth’s poles were rearranged.

Upcoming Schedule

Jun 14
Ciuin
Aime
Uriah

Jun 21
Logan
Ciuin
Open slot

Jun 28
Aime
Laura
Open slot

Jul 5
Nick
Open slots

Jul 12
Randy
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill

Next Noble Pen Meeting

June 7th, 2018 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

A detective novel coming out this week is co-authored by former president Clinton.  This article discusses prior presidents and their involvement with crime fiction.

Victories

Randy completed the draft of Sins of Omission.

Stacie read Ciuin’s book Petty Theft and liked it.

Aime and Uriah each broke through a block with ideas for the next chapter.

Ciuin is rewriting the test scene with a different POV.

Education

There are several types of editing.  When a writer starts looking for an editor to prepare their work for submitting to an agent, traditional publisher, or for self-publishing, they need to consider which kinds of help they need.

If it is the traditional publishing route the company will do the final edits, but the writer may use an editor to get the manuscript in very good shape in order to improve the chances for acceptance.  If you self-publish, it’s all up to you.

A content, developmental, or substantive editor (also see wikipedia) looks at the big picture – does the story hang together, read easily, and hold interest?  Is the dialog ok, the POV consistent, the characters developed, the plot logical?  This is what we mostly concentrate on in Noble Pen reviews.

A line editor takes the middle ground – are the sentences well constructed and varied enough?  Is the vocabulary effective and not repetitive?  This is also a reasonable area for our comments if there is a pattern of problems, or markups if there is an occasional problem.

A copy editor looks at the details of punctuation, spelling, and grammar, and may offer suggestions to smooth out the last rough edges in sentence flow.  This is usually what Noble Pen readers should leave on the markup page and not spend time discussing unless there is a trend to a particular problem.

This site offers some advice on cost for professional editing services, and this one quotes firmer prices.  You might conclude that in our group we are providing very valuable services for each other.

There is also proofreading, after the layout is done, to check formatting and maybe catch a few more misspelled words.

So you got someone to edit your book, they made a lot of changes, and that fact doesn’t feel good.  Jessica Strawser talks about how to deal with those edits.   Kathie Spitz has similar advice.  The editor is probably right most of the time, but perhaps you will ignore a few changes.  Diane Jacob has advice, aimed more for freelance work where the editor has actual power and not just expert advice.

Some  of that advice applies to using critiques, although a single critique would carry less weight than a majority of critiquers’ opinions or an editor’s changes.

Upcoming Schedule

Jun 7
Laura
Nick
Randy

Jun 14
Ciuin
Aime
Uriah

Jun 21
Logan
Open slots

Jun 28
Open slots

Jul 5
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill