Been there, done that, what's next?

Last Saturday, for the first time, I appeared in public as a writer. Another milestone now behind me. Some people are attracted to such events like butterflies to bright flowers. I’m more like a unicorn; I’d rather not be seen. However, remaining anonymous is a luxury no 21^st century writer can afford. In the Forbes’ article, Five Lessons For Authors and Self-Publishers, Neil Gaiman tells writers that you have to get out there, you have to be a part of your community, and you have to be the signal, not the noise.  

Word count: 600                                                        Reading time: 1-2 minutes

I accepted the invitation to join the panel because I knew I needed to. In days before the event, I reminded myself of Eleanor Roosevelt’s words: Do one thing every day that scares you.  It’s not like I’m naturally timid and desperately in need of that advice. I’ve travelled to Europe alone, I’ve moved across Canada by myself, I’ve moved across the Pacific. Twice. I’ve camped in the Outback and scuba dived in the icy waters of the Pacific Northwest. But none of those were as daunting as public speaking.

I prepared myself as best I could. I read aloud, into a voice recorder, and forced myself to listen to it. I asked the moderator if I needed to bring notes on any subject but she said no, it would just be informal questions and answers. I sang at the top of my lungs on my way to the library where the festival was held. This seemed to strengthen my vocal chords or at least clear the cobwebs. I couldn’t be more ready, or so I thought.

Then there was a moment of horror when the moderator asked us all to speak, for three to five minutes, on our journey to publication. If you’ve followed this blog, you know I’m not yet published. I have a contract to publish. I do not yet have a book in my hand but the organizers considered that an important point in the road and thus I was included. As the junior panel member, it was natural that I’d be first off the mark. But I hadn’t brought notes.

Being first meant I didn’t have the benefit of gathering my thoughts as others spoke. So I took the microphone (another first) and winged it. I tried to speak slowly, not my usual geyser rush of words. I made eye contact with members of the audience. The session went on for an hour and a half. I seem to remember being on my feet a fair bit of it. I wonder what I said. I really can’t remember.

As Robert Brockway states in the blog, Writing is the easy part, the burden of promotion and marketing now falls squarely on the writer’s shoulders. The North Shore Writers’ Festival was my first chance to test the waters of getting known, of a little self-promotion.

When it was all over, I realized I’d learned a lot:

• People who attend writers’ festivals are incredibly supportive.
• When a speaker makes eye contact with an audience member, and she nods in agreement, it’s incredibly helpful. It lets the speaker know she is understood.
• People who go up to a speaker after a talk and say something like, “that was really interesting” make the speaker’s day.
• I will be a better audience member from now on.

Have you ventured into some peripheral realm of writing that you dreaded, only to discover it wasn’t nearly as bad as you expected? Or was it even worse? Where have your greatest joys and biggest disappointments been?

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Photo by: Raksit

Comments

[Alyssa]

Well done Maggie! I bet you were fantastic!
Bernard Beckett once told me to try to find some way to politely disagree with what the person before you has said, because he thought it made it more interesting for the audience than when everyone agrees.

[Liz]

Well done. I'm sure you did great. :)

[Maggie Bolitho]

I love Bernard Beckett and I like his strategy. I wish I'd been second speaker.

Even though we didn't plan it, the panel had polite discord when we talked about the editorial process. That’s a whole blog topic on its own.

Still it was such a friendly panel. I couldn’t have asked for better

[Maggie Bolitho]

Thanks for your confidence in me, Liz.

The best part was when people came up after and wanted to talk about some of the things I'd discussed. I felt like I'd said something worthwhile.

[Lynn Crymble]

It has been said that public speaking is ranked the #1 fear universally. Yes, some people like to do it, but statistically speaking, most people would prefer being in the casket than having to deliver the eulogy. I, for one, would rather NOT die than give a speech.

And you did great!
Onwards, Maggie.

ps - what were you belting out in the car on the way over? Now singing in public ... that's something I won't inflict on an audience ;)

[Maggie Bolitho]

I actually took a public speaking course years ago - it was a required part of my professional training. But - major difference - we were allowed to prepare a topic of our choice and only had to stand in front of the same small group for the whole four weeks. Plus everyone was in the same boat, just trying to get through the course.

Somehow Patrick Henry's words wouldn't have been a memorable if he had said, "Give me liberty or give me public speaking" but I agree with you.

What was I singing? Some of Diana Krall's old tunes but I promise never to do that in public. I'd be arrested for disturbing the peace.

Maggie

PS Thanks for the reassurance!