TeenageTells- Public Speaking

This is the part of writing which isn't really writing, but stops a lot of people from starting. Why? Because they're worried about what they'll tell others. That they won't be able to promote their book.

Maybe you feel this too. Even if you're not a writer. I know I did. Speaking to even one person about my books used to be hard, right at the beginning. The best way I can compare talking about your creative work is ripping your soul out and feeling like it has been served on a platter for someone else to judge or dive into however they want.

You won't believe me when I tell you it gets better. There has never been a time that I've gone on stage (metaphorically) and regretted it. Even in year 7, when I was talking about things I don't truly care about now, that built me into who I am today. Able to speak to a room-full of people.

As a secret between you and me, I'm still not confident when I go up there half the time. Some days, I'm absolutely ready to quit everything and just hide in a bunker for the rest of my life. Every time that happens, I force myself to step up. To say the words.

How?

That's what I want to explore.

Firstly, there is no magic trick which will help you. It will still be hard until you do it often. It's like the quote (and I'm paraphrasing), the hill doesn't get smaller, you just get tougher. The only tips I can give you are on how to prepare and how to get up there.

Actually prepare. When you're faced with 10 people or 100, you likely will forget what you even write. Sometimes, if one person asks me out of the blue, my mind blanks, and the work I've dedicated the last two years of my life to fly out of my brain. Everyone is different. Some like to memorise. Others like to get the main points. The very cool people (I'm kidding: you're cool too) have 3 sentences with the vaguest points or nothing. I don't think I'll ever fit into the last category. I like to sit in the middle. Learn it, but don't be afraid to go off course. Learn the template, not every single word. Have standard things you whip out to talk about. That sounds weird. But I like to have this specific sentence I say for my book, whether someone asks about it. It changes monthly or bimonthly, but it's still good to have that safety net.

Reach out. People won't always give you opportunities. This also sounds backwards, but you basically have to reach out (I like to email) to twenty people, and statistically, about 3 or 4 work out. I'm talking about writing competitions, assemblies, book fairs, etc. My school is great and helps me with things I plan. I asked if they could promote me on their Facebook or website, and they did both. I asked heads of years, and I got 2/4 already. (I'm still waiting for the other replies). Email. Text. Go in person. Whatever.

Tell people: what the key themes are in your book (mine are love, guilt, friendship, death - though I don't often talk about that one - and time), why you want to do something, and how you would do it. To get these assemblies, I just asked for 10 minutes to talk about my new book and creative collaboration, and said whether I'd need a PowerPoint. Just be polite.

When you get to the final few minutes before, drink water. This is underrated. Talking naturally dries your mouth and throat. Stay hydrated! If you need it, go to the story. Make sure to be there on time or (ideally) early. Know where you're going, etc. Unhelpful advice warning! Don't stress. Breathe. You're going to be ok. The world will not end if you mess up. You're more likely to mess up if you worry. If you do, move on. Keep talking. People won't even notice every single mistake, if any.

Lastly, be yourself. I know I'm not very good at jokes, so I strike for humour without crossing the line of joke territory. Like, I say, 'Writing is a lot of staring at a screen, or occasionally yelling at it because your book isn't uploading after your thousandth try.' Play to your strengths. And talk slowly! You're more likely to trip up if you talk fast (which naturally happens with adrenaline, which comes from stress) and people won't understand you. Speaking slowly allows you to emphasise points. You can take tiny breaks in your speaking.

Whether you're going to do some public speaking, or share your ideas with a friend, you've got this. It's just a few words.

My main point is, no matter how scared you are, do it. It builds character, and builds you. Your skills. If you want to write, you can either quit, do it secretly, or do it public. As in, have writer friends, talk about writing, share your work and maybe even get recognition.

Linking nicely to that, I have a shameless advert here. If you considered submitting your work anywhere (especially my creative collaboration) and backed out for being too afraid, don't. Submit. Take the plunge. Nothing bad can happen. I might give you some polite feedback, and you have an almost 100% chance of getting published here. Of your work being in print. Let me tell you, that feels amazing.

I'm trying to build a community without judgement. Share your work. To a single person. You never know where it could take you.

Even if you keep your creativity hidden for now, don't do that forever. Creativity is precious in a world of AI and miniscule budgets aimed towards creative projects. Maybe, together, we can change that.