Part 1 of a series.
That’s right. Step up and take your place.
When we put together two of the scariest things a writer can do, we would expect to be nervous, right? And yet, writers in clubs, in bookstores, on the radio and on television everywhere face the double-headed monster of public speaking and presentation of their “children”, their writing.
How do you get ready for such an ordeal? In what I like to call its basic, or practice form, the “Open Mic” session is your chance to present your work to a small, safe audience of writers like yourself.
Wait! You say. I’m a writer, not an actor. I’m not a performer.
Scary or not, public speaking is a large part of the life of a successful writer. You do want to be successful, don’t you? Once you’ve sold your breakthrough novel, had your short-story optioned for a film, or published an award-winning poem or book of them, you have become a celebrity.
Both Alexandre Dumas and Oscar Wilde vie for the quote, “nothing succeeds like success”. But, whoever said it, public speaking is the thing that will push your brilliant writing to the next level. Being confident in front of a crowd, difficult at first, is a skill worth cultivating.
The Open Mic is your opportunity to practice.
Throughout the day today we will be looking at Tips, Tricks and Techniques for reading and discussing your work in public.
Stay tuned.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... and isn't it time you experienced some of them?
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I guess the 13 years I spent in front of juries will benefit me once I hit the book signing circuit! : )
Indeed. Any other occupation which encourages or forces one to speak publicly will strengthen the writer’s ability.
Practice makes perfect. However, perhaps it might be more comfortable for a writer to start small. Read a writing piece to a spouse or friend. Then to a critique group or a writing club. Then graduate to a public arena like Open Mic.
I started out in acting, I didn’t discover writing until the stage was ripped out from under me. I never realized how important acting was for my emotional stability and writing filled that gap.
I think that it is important that authors like their own work, not just quietly and to themselves. If our work doesn’t stir us up, then it is unlikely to stir anyone else up. I want to see a writer lose themselves in their characters and story – that is when I know I can truly suspend reality and trust that it won’t be with regret.
Welcome, Fionna!
You make a very interesting point, and we agree. I believe that acting and writing are very similar in at least one respect. They both require a whole-hearted effort by the performer or writer. A successful writer will, by the way, be expected to read his or her work to audiences. The ability to reach into one’s characters and display them to the audience is vital. My local writer’s group has a weekly Open Mic session where we get practice doing just that.
Again, welcome!
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