Excuse me, I’m Speaking!

It’s been an exciting time over the last few days. There’s one thing I can’t talk about yet, but of course, I will let you know as soon as I can. What I can tell you is I’ve received three invitations to give talks about my writing journey. I find it hard to believe anyone would be interested in my experience, but every author’s journey is different.
The first talk won’t be far from where I live, so I’m hoping it will generate enough sales to cover the cost of petrol. It’ll be nerve-racking as I haven’t stood before an audience for quite a while. The pandemic knocked my confidence. A friend has given me some advice on what to talk about, so I’m hoping the audience will find what I have to say both interesting and helpful. This particular audience can be outspoken, which has made me feel quite nervous, but I do hope they will be respectful of others while they are speaking and only give their opinions afterwards.

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I find it quite rude when people speak over others while someone is speaking. Sometimes people need a second to process their thoughts and find the right words. In this high-speed world of instant downloads, people like me need a faction longer to think. I’m sure this is why the world has become a stressful place. I used to speak quietly, taking my time before speaking my thoughts aloud. Over the years, I found people began to talk over me, finishing my unspoken sentences or trying to predict what I was about to say.
When I was young, I would let it go. Hold my peace, nod and smile. People would treat me as though I was stupid or didn’t have anything worthy to say. I became a listener. You learn a lot by listening to others. Now in my sixties, I find it annoying when others talk for or over me. It’s just plain rude. For years, I’ve had my confidence eroded by others not holding their tongue for a second to allow me to finish speaking. I started to raise my voice and talk faster to get out what I wanted to say before I was interrupted. The only problem with this is people accuse me of shouting. So once again my confidence leaves me feeling embarrassed and flustered as I muddle my words.

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The opportunity to give a book talk is scary, but I shall do my best. In May, the book talks are to a writing group. The feedback I received from the May talk will help prepare me for the September one. In September, my husband and I travel to Scotland as I’m one of the guest speakers at a book festival. The local library contacted me this week about doing a talk, but they haven’t come back yet to say when or where. Now I shall get busy planning what to say, putting together a checklist, writing some information sheets, ordering bookmarks to go with my books and ordering in stock.

I will of course keep you up to date on how I get on.

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