One time when I was speaking I tripped over some wires getting to the podium. Everyone laughed. I said, "You think that was funny, stick around for my next trick."

Remember this... people are just people. You have something FOR them. They will be grateful for this. Trust me. YOU KNOW THE MATERIAL EVIE. It can ONLY BE a smashing success. I'm 100% sure of it. I'm so sure that I would be willing to bet a week's salary on it. That is.. of course, if I had a job. LOL....

JJ

I was always scared to death of public speaking, but I started doing it at church, where I belonged to a writer's group and also to a lay worship committee which would put on services in the minister's absence. Our local library had an annual "Poets' Night" where anyone who wanted to read could sign up -- so I signed up and went. It was scary at first, but I did it a few times and really started enjoying it. One year I had a bad cold with laryngitis, and I had to ask them to turn the microphone way up for me so I could whisper my poems into it. What a great response I got. I really felt I was among friends.

you guys are great, I just about spit my breakfast all over the computer monitor (pssst...JJ...NABBW doesn't stand for NAKED Assoc. of Boomer Women....)

Or Hugs, hand out hugs.

You know there is a philosopy that if a person doesn't get 5 hugs a day - they get weird (this MIGHT explain some people who come to BWS. sorry. cheap shot. rotfl).

At my parties I toss Hershey hugs at people when they are interacting with me (I hate being a one woman show) Not that I suggest YOU throw hershey hugs at people.

Evie what fantastic news.....you will be great - I KNOW that you will. PJ has some wonderful material in it so you can feel comfortable with the reading from that perspective and of course you poured your heart into the book so that should bring you confidence! I'm really thrilled for you. Let us know how it goes - I have no doubt you will be wonderful....and I'm NOT just saying that because I'm one of your "Pink Jasper Sisters" !!!

BIG HUGS

Thought I would update everyone on how the "Author's Night" went last week.

Of course, I had a real snot-runner of a cold that day, and had been hacking and sneezing all day. My head was stuffed and pounding. By supper time, all I wanted to do was wrap myself around a mug of Neo Citran, but knew if I did that I'd be out cold. Not a good choice.

It was a dark and stormy night......seriously. We were having a snow storm and the wind was howling - even more incentive to go out the door!

I was in the midst of a major inferiority complex, brought on by reading over my pieces and feeling like everyone was going to turn up their noses and laugh (I get this way).

My youngest son decided to join me for the night, only because I told him this other author was going to be there and that's when his interest piqued. We bundled up, shovelled off the car and headed out to the library. I commented that probably no one would come out on a night like this since it was so crappy, and said I thought that to be a good thing since I was so nervous. He leaned over, patted me on the arm and said "Don't worry, I'm there. And you know Jesus will be there". Great, I thought. Wonder if Jesus would mind reading for me??

It was a small crowd, but an appreciative audience. I read third, out of four authors. I read well, and never sneezed once so I managed to get through it. I had a few compliments on the work, and I survived.

And thus ends my first "reading"

Evie,
What a touching and funny story! I'm so glad that after all of that the evening was a success!
Congrats on making it through your first reading. I know it won't be the last!

So touching that your son, was the shinning light that lead you on to a victorious reading.
Sounds as if Jesus was there.

Ms E, even thru the cyberwires and space I know of your internal strength, so I'm not one bit surprised to hear everything went fine. I'm so proud of your son, too! Wuhooo!

Today a reading, tomorrow Oprah!

JJ

Evie it actually gets easier each time and all of a sudden on of these times you'll have no fear or trepidations at all...honest injun!