For any writer preparing to give a reading: I recommend this post on BeyondtheMargins.com. The one thing every author surveyed does (with one exception) is practice, practice, practice.
When I first became a published author, I panicked at the thought of public readings. The book Never be Nervous Again by Dorothy Sarnoff helped me a lot.
From Sarnoff, I learned to:
- print out in big bold font every word of my talk, giving each sentence a line;
- dog-ear the pages so that the turn easily;
- learn to look up and scan the room;
- practice in front of a mirror;
- practice three times the day of the event.
I chose short readings and talk a lot about writing and research before, during and after. Every sentence is composed and practiced beforehand. What I’ve learned is that to appear off-hand and relaxed, you have to practice.
I print out the text of my book, as well. I will show the actual book, but I won’t read from it. I’ll revise the text, as well, so that it reads well.
I’m curious: what do you do? How do you prepare for a public “performance”?
[You can see some of my talks on YouTube: here. Some are an example of what not to do. It took time for me to evolve my process.]
On the home front, I’m intensely into editing/revising the 5th draft of The Next Novel. (Presently titled The Art of Enchantment: what do you think?)
In preparation for my next newsletter, I put together a website page on my Sandra Gulland Ink ebook publication project.
What do you think of the covers? (To see all of them, click here.)
I definitely have used the 1st tip! Whenever I have an author come speak at the library, I’ll type up my intro in large size font (16 or 18) so I can read it comfortably.
Elisa, that reminds me of another thing I think authors should do for a reading: provide a basic introduction in advance. That way the host does not have to spend time pulling one together, if they are not so inclined. What do you think?
Great post, Sandra. I learned many of these lessons while touring with my debut novel. I’d add, be present and flexible. Sometimes a room is smaller or larger or has an unexpected audience makeup (think kids when you were planning to read the dirty stuff from your novel). For my last event in STL, I practiced my long speech a kajillion times, but when I saw the room of mostly relatives, I knew it was going to work. So I ended up extending the first St. Louis-related half, dumping the rest and reading a longer passage. At first I was so nervous to go off-speech, but when I forced myself into the moment and situation I was in, it all took care of itself.
Ernessa—this is all so true. I learned this lesson the painful way this summer, when the PowerPoint presentation I was going to give had to be given up (because the old-school equipment wouldn’t connect with my Mac). I thought I was prepared with a non-slide show version, but somehow it went missing.
Also true re. planning to give an “adult” reading and have a 6-year-old in the front row.
Its important to be “present,” but anything that leads to a last-minute scramble is not great on the nervous system! I have a writer friend who always had with her a number talks, should the one she’d planned to give wasn’t appropriate.
Flexibility! Yes. Thanks so much for the note.
I practise. For the reading/talk I didin Oshawa yesterday, I tried 3 different selections before finding the one I liked. What reads well on the page often doesn’t aloud, especially out of context. I so enjoyed the other writers, and they all had different styles to go along with their different strengths. Like you I do more talking than reading, but one of the writers was a marvelous reader and her book (or at least the scene she chose) lent itself to being read aloud. It was entirely entertaining.
Lilian, bravo on your first reading from Web of Angels. That’s a lovely post.
When I have a book newly out, it takes me a while to find the sections of the novel that really resonate with an audience.
I think one of the best things any writer can do, especially aspiring writers, is to go to readings—to “see how its done” as well as to connect with other writers (and get inspired). For me, the great reward in being asked to read at a festival (or similar event) is getting to meet and hear other writers present their work.