Guess what I did today??
Gave my very first ever talk as a published author!
Yup, I spoke to a bunch of freshmen at our local high school. I thought I'd be a nervous wreck, but, uh, no, it turns out I like all that undivided attention. Who knew??
I mean, those students were trapped in a room with nothing to do other than listen to me talk about one of my fave subjects, writing. The students were attentive and polite AND they all had a marvelous sense of humor (or is that marvelous senses of humor?). Anyway, how do I know about the sense of humor thing? They laughed at my jokes!
Hello! I will let you in on a well-kept secret. Public speaking is easier than parenting. And easier than writing. Don't worry Child #1, #2, #3, #4, Agent Rachel and Editor Wendy, I won't be quitting my day jobs. Yet... (Joke)
So, a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Bagg-Rizzo who forced me to be a part of Career Day. You were right; it wasn't nearly as far outside my comfort zone as I thought. And a heartfelt thanks to the Santana freshmen (including Child #2) at my presentation. You made my day!
And now I'm off to the coffee shop. I'll bring my speech cards. I'll bring my props. Just in case, I get the chance to perform again...
P.S. Someone did take pictures. I'll post them when I get them. Assuming I look young, thin and cute.
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How awesome. I'd be a nervous wreck, but you obviously shine in the limelight. Way to go!! :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi
That is great!!!! You rock!!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Barrie, what an exciting (and terrifying) experience. At least, it would be terrifying for me. I'll have to take your word for it that it's not as bad as we might think. ;-) How was it having a child in the audience? He must have been so proud!
ReplyDelete~Debbie
(btw - the book in a week interview is now on my blog!)
wow, very exciting. you know what i've found about speaking in front of a group? if you are confident about what you're talking about, and it's close to your heart, and you're not trying to memorize something to regurgitate...then it's a whole lot easier to do.
ReplyDeletecongrats!
That sounds like fun. Child #2 musta been so proud!
ReplyDeleteOoooh congrats!! I think I would have been terrified. Not of the kids (I love them) but of standing in front of any group and having to make sense.
ReplyDeleteOhh I wish Cole had been able to hear you.Maybe next time you can go to his class? Are you taking requests ?...just kidding, but since he was just a walk down the hall...(probably).
ReplyDeleteI am sure you were great!
It's kind of fun having the spotlight, isn't it? If your blog is any indication, you'll always have them rolling in the aisles!
ReplyDeleteWow! How very cool and exciting. I'm proud of you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting over that first hurdle and on having such a good time. Now you can look forward to signings and book talks, instead of worrying about them. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, young, thin and cute - ACK! Congrats on the speech - I'm sure it was fabulous and the kids learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend - Kellan
How very cool of you to do it. I still remember when Theodore Taylor, author of The Cay, spoke at my Jr. High (or was it elementary...). Anyways, it made an impression.
ReplyDeleteHow proud are your children? Wow, what a thrill...and they laughed!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Both train videos were working well about an hour ago, Barrie.
Congratulations - and how rewarding to have had such a receptive audience. (It's nice to hear good things about teens today.)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!!! Way to go. I'm not a big fan of the public speaking (I tend to get all sweaty & fidgety), but I'll have to learn, I guess.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the pictures!
Congratulations! If I'm well-rehearsed, I don't mind speaking in public. But make me speak off the top of my head and my tongue twists into knots!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! Good for you! What a GREAT experience!
ReplyDeletePost the pics when you can!!
Congratulations on a big milestone.
ReplyDeleteWow Barrie, you are SOO brave! Well done you! Look forward to seeing the photos of you looking young thin and cute!
ReplyDeleteYou are just climbing that fame ladder now!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I actually like public speaking. Weird huh?
ReplyDeleteGood for you. :) Glad all went well.
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! Sometimes high school kids are the coolest.
ReplyDeleteMay you have many other great experiences!
Congrats. My first attempt at public speaking nearly made me physically ill, but now I do it for a living.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to those pictures. Congrats again.
So glad it went well for you! May this be the first of many successful speaking events. :-) I love to talk with teenagers. They're so much goofier than adults, not afraid to laugh.
ReplyDeleteWow, how exciting... so glad it went well.... the first of many...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you had such a positive experience. This is so refreshing. Sometimes we get stage fright simply because we think we’re SUPPOSED to be nervous. (There are so many horror stories.) But why shouldn’t public speaking be fun?! :)
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