PUBLIC SPEAKING: Yes You Can!

A year ago this time I was getting psyched about attending LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Author Opportunities After Publication.

The workshop is being offered again March 11 -16. So if you're an writer who wants to improve your speaking and presenting skills, I recommend catching a plane and heading for Honesdale, PA. (It's not to late to sign up!)

Last year, I blogged about my experience so I'll repost one of those entries now.

See those two. That's Tracy from Highlights Foundation on the right. She's got a videotape in her hand. And she and Peter Jacobi are scheming against 7 unsuspecting workshoppers.

So here's how it goes. Jacobi gives us an assignment to speak extemporaneously for one minute on a subject of our choosing. We get maybe 60 seconds to decide who our audience is and what we're going to say. Then we stand in front of the group and start talking while Tracy aims the video camera right at us.
When we have all sufficiently embarrassed ourselves, Tracy hands the tape over to Jacobi who pops it into the VCR. We get to watch ourselves, analyze our own performance and give feedback to each other. I suppose it's just as well my next photo is blurry. Because really, I don't look so good!

But Jacobi has made his point. Extemporaneous speeches do not work. Preparation is key!

Okay he has our attention!

And now Jacobi begins to school us in the art of speech making. He makes a number of points!

7 Part Process of Giving a Speech

• 6 Elements to Consider In Developing a Speech
• 12 P's to Avoid
• 8 Questions to Ask As You Prepare
• 4 Knows
• 13 Interest Factors

Oh and how about this formula? E/A + I + I + I = S

For lack of time I will say that it all boils down to one thing. Do not bore your audience!

And the formula that makes the workshop so memorable? It's a simple one, really.

One brilliant jouranlism professor + a roomful of writer friends + 14 fabulous meals multiplied by days of instruction and hands-on experience = phenomenal experience plus a big boost in self-confidence.

Who even cares about that video camera?

ANNE GREENAWALT: Girl Wonder

Way back in March (or about 3 weeks ago) I attended a workshop about public speaking/marketing led by the great Peter Jacobi.

We workshoppers were a small group of writers and among us was Anne Greenawalt.
Anne is all of 24 years old and already she has accomplished amazing things. In addition to earning her masters degree, she writes for several online magazines, and has published a book of short stories called Growing Up Girl. And she also has an agent.

Did you hear me world? Anne Greenawalt has an agent!

Her agent is shopping her young adult novel about a female who participates in the Olympic games in ancient Sparta!

Personally, I think that subject is incredible. I’m also thinking that, if anyone is equipped to write such a novel, it’s Anne. For one thing, as a competitive swimmer, she knows sports. For another, she's passionate about women and their accomplishments.

But don't jump to conclusions here. Anne is not on a soapbox. She is a quiet soul. Speaking in public (which we practiced at our workshop) is not something she's inclined to do.

But Anne is powerful. She can do hard things. We saw her transform in 4 days from her “do-I-really-have-to say-something?” persona to “watch-me-give-a-dynamic-school-visit-and-be-videotaped-at-the-same-time” personality!

In her school visit, Anne led students in a character creation exercise. She told them one of her favorite childhood characters was Pipi Longstockings. After all Pipi has unusual strength.
Here’s a pic of Anne that I took from the TV while we were critiquing her speech. Aren’t those stripes just a wee bit reminiscent of Pipi?

Anne and Pipi have sort of merged in my mind at this point. Both are incredible! So do yourself a huge favor. Click on over to Anne’s blog where she tells an amazing story about her first public speaking experience after our workshop.

Wow! I’m quite certain the great Peter Jacobi would be so impressed!

KATHY TEMEAN: Ilustrator, Website Designer, & All-around Children's Book Guru

Kathy Temean, (speaker, illustrator, marketing consultant, web designer, and more!) presenting to 7 eager writers at a recent writer event.

If you've read my recent posts, you know I'm on a high from my recent participation in Peter Jacobi's "Life in the Spotlight" workshop at Boyds Mills, PA.

I don't mean to imply that the entire week was a pie-in-the-sky event. Actually, I think of it more as a coming down-to-earth experience. In addition to all the delicious food and hilarious fun, we each "endured" the scrutiny of experts who were not shy about telling us how we could improve.

Take Kathy Temean who blew away my arguments against certain social internet sites. From now on, if I invite you to get LinkedIn with me, blame it on Kathy. If you find me tweeting on your Twitter page, it will surely be her fault!

In addition to advice about making social and professional connections on the web, Kathy also gave feedback on our personal web presence. She took us to the blogs and websites of every participant in our workshop and gently gave critical feedback on each one.
So how did I fare?

Apparently, I'm doing okay here, on my blog. (Big sigh of relief!) But not to rest on my laurels! Because there is still the matter of my website. Full confession: I created it myself. According to Kathy, the content is respectable. But the presentation? Not so much!

And in case you're wondering what Kathy Temean knows about websites take a look at some she designed. They include many well-known children's authors. I love the fact that Kathy is open to creating original artwork for her clients! And also that she is so connected in the children's book world. (Incidentally she is the Regional Advisor for New Jersey chapter of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators!)

So, when people ask me if my week was worth it what do I tell them? First of all - every Founders Workshop I have ever taken has paid for itself in real dollars. Even when - as in this case - it means paying more money to get a professional looking site! (Kathy, I'm getting right on that extreme website makeover. I promise!) (Sign from the kitchen windowsill at Founders Home in Boyds Mills, PA)

Coffee? Yes. Lots of it, please. But I also need the wisdom and comraderie of gathering with other writers, speakers, and the occasional marketing consultant!

ON THE BANKS OF CALKINS CREEK: Another Great Founders Workshop

You may know that my books, Blue, Healing Water, and Comfort were all published by Calkins Creek Books. I love creeks and I'm especially fond of this one.

Join me for a photographic tour of a typical writer event on the banks of Calkins Creek! The creek in March. Not as inviting as during the green season but we writers know about seasons - this pic represents waiting...
Boyds Mills Press (named for this little community) is the parent company of Calkins Creek Books which publishes juvenile historical literature with a USA focus.
Highlights Foundation is the grandmother of Calkins Creek Books and BMP's other literary imprints. (The Highlights Editorial offices are actually in nearby Honesdale - such a great town! But you'll have to wait for that tour!)
And speaking of grandparents - here on the banks of Calkins Creek, is the homeplace of the founders of Highlights magazine, Garry and Caroline Myers.
This home in Boyds Mills offers stability in a world of change - it appears to be kept much as it was when the Myers family lived here.
My favorite room is the library with its take-me-back-to-Grammy's-house smells. And books, books, books! Old books! (I always try not to drool on them.)
Don't you love this early Highlights cover on the library wall?
Adjacent to the library is the livingroom of the Myers' home where we kept company with the wise and wonderful Peter Jacobi who schooled us on "Life In The Spotlight - Author Opportunities After Publication".
It was good to be reminded that there is life beyond Powerpoint! And what an honor to learn from this seasoned journalist who has trained so many university students, CEOs, and wide-eyed authors, like us!

We were a small group of eager workshoppers - eager to learn about public speaking, granting interviews, and other aspects of presenting ourselves and our books to the public eye.
Mary, Melissa, and Tracy. (Tracy works for Highlights - she filmed our impromptu speeches so Peter could make examples of us. But we love her anyway!)
Deb, Nathan, and Mary.

Carol with Author, Jan Cheripko. More on Jan, Carol and all of these writers in upcoming posts.
Anne and Deb.

We became friends. It's hard not to when you've shared the same couch, dinner table, laughter, and critique sessions for days at a time. But it was intense, so we were always glad to get back to our individual cozy cabins. We enjoyed comfy beds, rain on the roof, and a personal fridge stocked with beverages.
Ask anyone who has ever attended a Founders Workshop what the food is like. As writers we should respond with specific adjectives. But mostly we just groan! Which is all we can do after a week of eating at a Founders Workshop. I did take a few pics of food which don't begin to do it justice.
Hors d’oeuvres every evening before dinner with friends.
And dessert after.
Buttermilk pie, whipped cream, and blackberries on a plate that allows the vintage table cloth to show itself off!

Ah! I love old linens.

Perhaps, you can see that I love everything about workshops on the banks of Calkins Creek!

LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT (UNCOMFORTABLE)

See those two. That's Tracy from Highlights Foundation on the right. She's got a videotape in her hand. And she and Peter Jacobi are scheming against 7 unsuspecting workshoppers.

So here's how it goes. Jacobi gives us an assignment to speak extemporaneously for one minute on a subject of our choosing. We get maybe 60 seconds to decide who our audience is and what we're going to say. Then we stand in front of the group and start talking while Tracy aims the video camera right at us.
When we have all sufficiently embarrassed ourselves, Tracy hands the tape over to Jacobi who pops it into the VCR. We get to watch ourselves, analyze our own performance and give feedback to each other. I suppose it's just as well my next photo is blurry. Because really, I don't look so good!

But Jacobi has made his point. Extemporaneous speeches do not work. Preparation is key!

Okay he has our attention!

And now Jacobi begins to school us in the art of speech making. He makes a number of points!

7 Part Process of Giving a Speech

6 Elements to Consider In Developing a Speech

12 P's to Avoid

8 Questions to Ask As You Prepare

4 Knows

13 Interest Factors

Oh and how about this formula? E/A + I + I + I = S

For lack of time I will say that it all boils down to one thing. Do not bore your audience!

At Highlights Founders Home Workshops the setting is informal. The comraderie is longlasting. And the food is to die for...

We are having a grand time in spite of the videotape.

BLUE MONDAY: ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Today was the first time I signed the cover of my book. But St. David's School in Raleigh wants to collect signed book covers by visiting authors. So I took a deep breath and there you have it!

I'm on the road - gallivanting around the world. I like gallivanting. Honest I do. But I really like home more. Still, I’m very lucky.

Today I spoke at a private school in Raleigh.

Tuesday I’ll be researching in Philly.

And the rest of the week I’ll be sitting at the feet of the eminent Peter Jacobi in a Highlights Foundation Workshop - Life in the Spotlight: Author Opportunities After Publication.

In spite of my reluctance to leave home I’m thrilled with this learning opportunity. When I speak, I constantly second-guess myself. I have tons to learn about adapting to the various ages in my audience – not to mention the fact that every situation has different dynamics. And of course there is the whole marketing thing which I work hard at, but definitely need to hone.

Here's a description from the workshop webpage.

Fine-tune your presentation and marketing skills with a workshop that offers
- useful strategies for creating and delivering engaging talks;
- videotaped public-speaking sessions and school presentations with useful feedback;
- tips for marketing yourself to schools, libraries, and other potential venues;
- information on developing brochures, Web sites, and other useful promotional tools; and
- helpful pointers for working with the media to promote yourself and your work

I’ll be back with updates throughout the week, assuming Mr. Jacobi builds some blogging time into the schedule!