(no subject)

[arliss]

There was discussion elsewhere about reading one's work aloud, for an audience. Which is different than reading one's work aloud to check pacing. When I work on a novel, I will read a new chapter aloud, walking. The practice checks for rhythm and pace, and has been a valuable tool for me.

But reading one's work for others is different. I tend not to read long fiction aloud. I'll do an excerpt of a nonfiction piece, or a very short story, or a scene from a longer story. But poems are usually best. And to get past that quaver in the voice, that constriction in the throat and the shaking hands, I recite my "party piece." It's one of the few, perhaps the only, poem I've written that rhymes end lines, and is in recognizable meter. It was written to exorcize a personal bugaboo, but it is both humorous and spooky, and generally gets a good reception.

Having used the poem to break the ice, and having gotten a bit of positive reception, I can go on to other things, given time. Of course if there is no positive response, I just slink quietly away in search of hemlock.

Comments

[debg.livejournal.com]

I'm always amazed, on the practical level, how many people I know have worries or issues about public speaking. I understand it on the emotional level, mind you, but I love public reading. Being a showboat helps, I guess.

My big worry about reading aloud is whether I'm speeding up. I speak, and read, very quickly, and with a listening audience, it's just as you said: pacing and rhythm are needed.

[fufaraw]

I don't have a problem public speaking, either with a prepared speech or extemporaneously. I actually prefer the "I'm up here, everyone else is out there" approach to discussion groups. I like the distance.

But reading my own work is like bringing fragile delicate things in trembling hands to strangers for approval. It's more revealing of my inner self than speaking on another subject is. And a less-than-warm, enthusiastic reception is a crushing rejection of the work, of my own words. So it's fraught, for me.

[debg.livejournal.com]

>But reading my own work is like bringing fragile delicate things in trembling hands to strangers for approval. It's more revealing of my inner self than speaking on another subject is. And a less-than-warm, enthusiastic reception is a crushing rejection of the work, of my own words. So it's fraught, for me.

Ah. I just assume that, if they went to the trouble of coming to hear me? They want to hear me.

So I have no rejection issues there. Mine are centred round anonymous rejection in writing.