There is a phrase in theater–the actor’s nightmare. It is when an actor is about to go on stage, and can’t remember what play they are in, their lines, and/or their blocking.
For writers, I think the nightmare is doing a reading of their work. It is a combination of the audience, reading aloud, and the vulnerability of reading their own work. If it is a work in progress, that can be even tougher. Last weekend Sisters in Crime New England hosted a series of readings called March Reads. Members read five minutes of their work–either published, or in progress. No critiques, just applause. You couldn’t ask for a better audience than other writers, and these are really supportive events. It made me think about what people without that sort of practice opportunity can do to prepare for a reading.
Here are some tips:
- Find out how long you’ve got. If you don’t know how long you have, pick a five minute piece, and a ten minute piece. Or two five minute pieces.
- When choosing a piece to read, aim for a minute less. Leave people wanting more.
- There aren’t rules. You don’t have to start from the beginning. And you don’t have to read straight through. Pick a piece that entertains.
- Bring a friend. In the audience. And/or on the panel.
- Practice. Mark up the piece. Remind yourself to take breaths. If you are doing a introduction, consider writing that out as well.
- Ask for help. Are you reading a new piece? Ask your partner/friend/child/workmate how it sounds. Pay attention to their reactions, and take it into consideration. Are they bored? Chose another piece. Do you stumble? Fix or, or chose another piece..
- When given the opportunity, read. Practice may not make perfect, but it does make it easier.
I will be doing a reading on Thursday, April 18 7pm at the Trident Booksellers and Cafe on Newbury Street. Happily some other people will be joining me, which makes it much easier.
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J.A. Hennrikus is the Executive Director of StageSource. She is a mystery writer. Her short story, “Tag, You’re Dead” was published in Level Best Book’s anthology THIN ICE. “Her Wish” is in Level Best Books’ DEAD CALM. And “The Pendulum Swings, Until It Doesn’t” will be in BLOOD MOON in November 2012.She is a social media fan, and tweets under @JulieHennrikus. Her website is jahennrikus.com
Live to Write - Write to Live 
This is one of my greatest fears about becoming an author! Reading aloud is basically public speaking, and I definitely am not a fan of that. I’m trying not to let it hinder my dreams though — I’ll just have to face my fears, I suppose.
People assume that I love public speaking because I do it a lot. But I just fake it, which seems to work.
It’s not that I mind public speaking, but I don’t think I have the greatest voice for my own work…if that makes any sense.
It does–I get this warble when I am really nervous. Last year I was doing a reading, and it started. My sister was in the audience, and gave me that “deep breath you can do it” look, which helped. Also, depending on what I am reading, sometime I think a British woman or a deep baritone would suit it better.
I remember the fist time I did this, I was caught unawares, it was nerve wracking. Now I find that I use it all the time to proof read, whether it be fiction or an article. It’s surprising how many things you spot when you read to yourself outloud.
Such a great tip. I am always blown away by what I find when I read aloud–sentences that don’t hang together, mistakes. It is a great tool.
Deep breath before you start. Make eye contact with the audience. Keep it short. If you’re going badly, get off. If you’re going well, get off. Leave them wanting more.
Love the “get off” advice. There is nothing worse than boring an audience.
Good suggestions. (Breathing is always good…hard not to read too fast sometimes)
Breathing, yes. SO important. And so easy to forget!
Thanks for the helpful advice.
I’m a ham. I love reading my work in public. For me, there’s something energizing about interacting with an audience– definitely more of a dream than a nightmare. But I read aloud as I write too–it’s part of my editing process. It helps me determine whether things flow, and helps me catch errors.
What I actually fear more is when other people would read my work aloud. One time a student read my work in a poetry reading session and it was just horrible.
This used to be a fear of mine, until I became a pastor. Weekly readings of my own work, ready or not, with everyone always expecting me to be profound, insightful, engaging, informative, and inspiring! Now reading a piece of fiction, poem, or reflection to a random audience seems to come with so much less pressure.
Make sure the friend is going to be supportive! I gave a talk once and took my husband along as the only person there I would know. At one point in my talk I glanced at him for a bit of confidence and faltered to see the look of utter boredom on his face! I braced myself and looked at the rest of the audience, who all looked interested, phew. I had to remind myself not to look at him again 🙂 He was being supportive to go with me, but is really not into what I was talking about at all – I should have taken my mother!