If you had told me I’d be speaking in front of people about my book years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you…and I might have thrown up a little.
And if I had committed to speak then, they would have had to drag me in like this:
Even though I did theater in high school, I’ll always had a hard time with crowds. It’s more than being an introvert, it’s an aversion about talking about myself, especially my work.
I’ve met a lot of women who resist talking themselves up, even when it’s appropriate. It’s a pretty hard skill to acquire, and I’m still flabbergasted when people ask me about my work. I still think someone has paid them to be interested.
I pictured my first Q&A would go like this:
Fortunately, my first talk went worlds better than that. WORLDS. However, if you do meet me and ask me about my work or compliment me, please forgive me if I stammer a bit. After years of practice, I can handle that hair question easier, at least. From airports to restaurants, all over the world, people have always wanted to know if this is my real hair.
Do you have to jump start your brain when someone asks about your work? How about if they ask you about your hair?
Okay, so yeah, I have a bit of an issue when it comes to standing in front of people to discuss my writing. Now, catch me in a small group of 1 to 3 and I can talk your head off about writing, my writing ideas, how one series will link with another series and how I’m excited about the other series that has a bit of a Hunger Games influence. But I haven’t been put in the position of having to discuss my writing before a crowd so…glad it worked out well for you 🙂 YAY!
I find it easier to focus on the three or four people in the front row and pretend the rest are playing scrabble.
WTG!!! … the butterflies wearing hobnailed boots never really go away, but it does get easier.
Thanks, Widdershins. I’m looking forward to the easy part. ^_^
I’ll second that Angela can talk your head off. Still looking for mine. LOL. (My bad, Angela) 🙂
I don’t get as nervous as I used to get as long as it’s a topic I know well. But I’ll tell you what the hardest thing is for me even today. I get tongue-tied when people say nice things about me. I have to force myself to say thank you and then shut up or I’ll stammer nonsensically for minutes.
I stammer at that one too, Maria. I wind up just saying stuff like, “Thanks a lot,” or “Wow, thanks so much,” mumble mumble mumble.
Yep, it is worse when Kerry asks me what do I want for Christmas or my birthday. 😛
Maybe you should just jot down the things you might like as they come to you. That way, when he asks, you’ll have a list. 😉
I do! It is on amazon. 😀 but he never looks at it 😛
Boo on him! ^_^
I’m sure that you will be great!!! And I dare anyone to try to get up in the middle of your talk (a picture of brawny werewolves in human form, with their arms crossed over their chest goes with that comment).
Thanks, Trakena. Where you gonna pull those werewolves out of? 😉
I share your aversion to speaking to crowds, but I have gotten considerably better over the years. I can speak as in teaching, no problem, because I’m sharing knowledge they want. But talking about myself and my writing has taken some time. It’s funny you mention hair, no matter how I wear it, people comment on it. Just yesterday at a work meeting I attend bi-monthly, I had worn it down and it was commented on. When I wear it in pinned up braids people will stop and ask: “Is that your own hair? Do you braid it yourself?” and so forth. I don’t find it that interesting, but others do obviously. I’m sure you did just fine speaking, we are STRONG women after all!
Thanks, Janet. Isn’t it weird how it’s always about the hair?
Nobody ever asks me about my work (or my hair 🙂 ).
“It’s more than being an introvert, it’s an aversion about talking about myself, especially my work.” This is the key I think, to get past labels like “introvert” and break it down to exactly what you do and don’t like to do.
For example, I get embarrassed at most types of “self-promotion,” but I have no problem with public speaking. Other people are uncomfortable doing promotion in person but are very comfortable doing it online.
I talked about that on my blog a while back:
http://u-town.com/collins/?p=2730
Thanks for the link, Anthony. More people should ask about your work and your hair.