Speak From the Heart
I have a couple of posts coming this year on the topic of speaking engagements. Every writer is asked to get in front of an audience from time to time. The newbie author greets these opportunities with terror and consternation, while the experienced author greets them with terror and consternation. But neither should fret. It’s actually quite easy to stand in front of an audience and make a favorable impression. All you must do is this: Speak from the heart!
It sounds like a cliche, but it works. The more centered you are, the more you know your story cold, the better you will be able to deliver it.
Today at SleuthSayers, the mystery blog, I deconstruct the three-part structure of an author talk I heard a few summers ago. It made an impression on me because it was smartly delivered and so freaking easy, I knew I could ape the same thing the next time I got a chance.
And I did! Denise and I did an event at a local brewery here, sponsored by the library system. I got up, told a charming story about how my father got me my big break in publishing when I was 15 years old. And wouldn’t you know it, after the talk, the biggest seller at the bookstore table was the book inspired by that story about my Dad.
The point is, all you need to succeed at public speaking is already inside you. But you must take some notes, and practice your stories aloud. Really. Anyway, go check out my piece, which is entitled:
The Three-Legged Author Talk!
Here’s a quick morsel:
You don’t have to try very hard. People like a story that makes them fall in love with the writer. If they think they understand you on a personal level, they’ll be moved to try one of your books or they’ll turn to your story first when they pick up an anthology. Hey, it happens every time I hear Lisa Scottoline speak. She’s hilarious, and I want to spend more time with that voice on the page.
Remember the three-legged stool: The thing they know. Your writer’s journey plus process. What’s hot right now.
It’s so easy, you don’t have to obsess about it. You just have to recount things that really happened, and make sure your anecdotes conform to the usual story beats. Up/down, try/fail, culminating with…success. If you show up for the audience, they will show up for you. Your obligatory Q&A session at the end will be a delight.
In the comments, one of my readers said reiterated the most important point, expressed above: People like a story that makes them fall in love with the writer.
Think about this the next time you hear some writers speak. Whose books are you more likely to buy at the end? What made you spring for one writer’s books over another? If you have had a chance to see that author speak, I’ll bet you bought the work of the person who made you laugh.
If I may suggest a good book on the topic of public speaking, I would take a look at Before You Say Anything, by Angie Flynn-McIver. (Affiliate link.) She’s a great person, a theater director, and she knows lot about why some people succeed on stage, and others fall flat. Get that book.
Smart, funny, charming. Those are your tickets to readers’ hearts.
Thanks for stopping by. Go forth and open your heart to the world!
I usually try to mention one of my books when I do post. Preferably, one that fits the topic I’m writing about. The book that my father helped me pitch to editors back when I was a scrappy teen is Murder on Book Row, (affiliate link) which I have since revised and published with a great new cover.
Click for details (affiliate links).
Typewriter image copyright Joseph D’Agnese.
