Public speaking

I'm not big on giving speeches, workshops, talks -- anything that requires me getting up in front of strangers and being coherent. I'm a firm believer in doing what you're good at and NOT doing what you suck at, and I suck at public speaking. I like to talk -- witness this blog -- but on my own terms. (Again, witness this blog.) That said, somehow I've agreed to give not one but two talks -- one on writing romantic suspense and one on writing a good first chapter.

Ha! I've just finished the third version of Chapter One for the current work-in-progress. I think it's a keeper, but I won't swear to it until I wake up tomorrow and read it again with fresh eyes. I've had the rare occasion where the beginning of a book just comes to me, but more often than not, it's a struggle to get it right. It reminds me of the old story about the writer holding up a dictionary and saying, "My entire book is in here. I just have to find it word by word."

I agreed to speak on romantic suspense months ago, thinking that surely with all that time, I'd think of something to say. Did I? Nope, I forgot about it until someone reminded the other day. I still have about six weeks to plan. I can write an entire book in six weeks. Surely I can do a talk in the same time . . . I hope.

The saving grace is that both groups are writers, and while writers really appreciate a polished speaker, they're awfully forgiving of bad ones. As long as you have something to say that interests them -- and ANYONE can interest a writer --they'll overlook the stammering, the quavering voice, and the wild-eyed panic. They'll even buy your books when you're done.

I hope I don't prove to be the exception! Rachel5:46 PM