The first time I opened my notebook, and read my written words aloud, I was terrified although my audience, a small group of fellow beginning writers, couldn't have been more supportive. They listened attentively, nodding emphatically and looking intently in my eyes every time I looked up from the scribbles on my page. And when I was done, one by one, they repeated back to me the phrases that spoke to them.
When I walked away from the table, I held my notebook more carefully, having witnessed for the first time, the power of my words.
Last Friday, I got up in front of a small audience of strangers and friends to read my words aloud. Instead of holding a tattered notebook, I held a shiny new copy of See Mom Run
. But when I turned to the first page of my essay, I felt the same familiar terror. And then I bent my head to the page and began reading. Soon the crowd was responding, laughing and humming in all the right places, communing with my words.My essay was over all to soon, and I sat down to make way for the next reader. Stage fright had been replaced by relief and exhilaration. Once again my words had reached others.
Whether you write in a blog, in a notebook, or in a greeting card, let your words take flight. Give them life with your lips and read them aloud to someone else. Seeing the response on their face will give your words the heft they deserve, and will banish the fear that keeps them hidden.
Happy Wordful, Wordless and Way-back wednesday!
This is an original Chefdruck post. Please don't copy without my permission.
This is an original Chefdruck post. Please don't copy without my permission.
13 comments:
That sounds like such a wonderful experience!
What a great accomplishment!! My biggest fear is speaking in front of people.
That is some very poignant advice. You did a great job! Awesome!
You look happy up there so that's a good thing. I simply couldn't do it!
That's so cool! I know exactly what you mean about reading your own words aloud. It is terrifying, but when it's over, it leaves you with such a high. I'd love to hear your essay from that book. :)
Beautiful experience....I would LOVE to hear your essay!
You are absolutely beaming in that picture! Love the comparison between the 'then' and 'now'. And the advice is wonderful. :)
Well done (and said) my friend!!!
This is such a familiar and heart warming story.
Vanessa you look SO at ease and so pretty! (With words such as those you write, no cause for nerves. :) )
Thanks so much for playing along with Way Back When-esday!
Congrats on being published, I love your writing! ;)
I always get a bit nervous speaking in front of people, especially when I'm sharing something personal.
What beautiful and sage words.
You look so comfortable up there!
Oh you are so my hero. I love how you have not only set goals but trudged through done the hard work and achieved these goals you have set for yourself. I am so following in your footsteps ;)
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