Ten Presentation Topics--The Speaking Writer

Rose Ross Zediker

by

Rose Ross Zediker

Whether you are published or unpublished, chances are when people find out you are a writer, you’ll be asked to speak to a group.

I’ve presented at a variety of speaking engagements that includes a historical society meeting, informal writers groups, library functions, conferences, and book festivals. My presentation’s for each of these groups has been as varied as my writing. Some of the groups gave me an idea of what they were looking for in a presentation. Others said “surprise us!”

“Surprise us” left me scratching my head until I came up with a list speaking topics. If you find yourself in the “surprise us” dilemma, try one of these ten topics.

·         Your Book – If you have a book talk about it! This one is a no brainer, right? But, don’t tell the group everything about your book. Talk about developing your idea. How you named the characters. How the plot took shape. Tell them enough to intrigue them so they buy it.

·         Your Research – Whether you write contemporary or historical books, there is some type of research involved- occupations, settings, names appropriate to the era. This might seem like basic information, but new writers and non-writers have no idea about the accurate research that goes into a book.

·         Your Writing Process – Tell them your tried and true process for getting your book from the idea stage to a complete manuscript. Be sure to use the disclaim that this method might not work for everyone.

·         The Basics – Explain the rules of formatting a manuscript, the submission process including query letters, submission letters, manuscript formatting for submissions, and the waiting time while your work is under consideration.

·         The Business Side – This includes keeping track of submissions, the difference between an advance and royalty, tax documents and write-offs, reading and understanding your contracts.

·         Time Management – Writer’s know the only way to write a book is devote time too it.

Rita Nominee Rose Ross Zediker giving a speech

Do you get up early and write? Stay up late and write? Fit writing into small chucks of time like lunch hours or a child’s nap time? This includes how to say ‘no’ to social events or organizations that eat up your valuable writing time.

·         Goal Setting – Talk about how successful writer’s set manageable goals. Explain your goal setting techniques and rewards for meeting those goals. Give examples of other writer’s goal setting techniques to show there is no right or wrong way for an author to set goals that fit their lives.

·         Grammar – Are you a Grammar Queen? This is information that needs to be shared! Provide common examples of misused words or phrases. Have a list of reference books or websites available on a handout after your presentation.

Buy Here

·         Marketing – This includes what your publisher does to help get your books in reader’s hands, your platform, blogs, websites, social media, and giveaways.

·         Question & Answer Session – Give a brief overview of the type of writing you do and open the floor to questions. Be prepared to answer a range of questions. Be honest if you don’t know the answer, but also try to be helpful and point the person in the right direction, such as Googling for reference books that cover their chosen genre.

Two warning points:

·         Even though you are advertised as an inspirational romance writer or children’s author, expect a sci-fi or memoir writer to attend with questions you just can’t answer. Trust me, this happens. Don’t let it rattle you, keep explaining all genres have different guidelines, but don’t expect to make that particular writer happy. You can’t. They came with expectation’s you can’t fulfill.

·         Don’t fill your entire time with your presentation. Build in time for introductions and question and answers. Try not to talk longer than thirty minutes or your presentation turns into a lecture and you take the chance of losing your audience.

Bio: Multi-published author, Rose Ross Zediker, writes contemporary and historical inspirational romances and has over eighty publishing credits in the Christian magazine genre for children and adults.

Rose works full time at the University of South Dakota and writes during the evening or weekends.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

Visit her blog at www.roserosszediker.blogspot.com

Rose is giving away one copy of her latest release is Reclaiming the Cowboy’s Heart.

Twenty years ago, a horrible accident nearly destroyed her family's business. And everyone still blames her former fiancé, Jamie Martin. Donna's managed to thrive, despite life's many curveballs. But when Jamie crosses her path at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Donna isn't prepared for the feelings that still endure after all these years. Party boy Jamie is a changed man in every way—except for the love he still harbors for the only woman who made him whole. Jamie's newfound faith could pave the way for a second chance at his first love…if Donna can find it in her heart to forgive.

Performance Anxiety for Writers?

Performance Anxiety for Writers?

Missy Tippens

I've been watching the Olympics the last several days, trying to imagine the pressure such young athletes feel as they stand there waiting for the music to start, or the buzzer to sound. I empathize, and my pulse starts to race for them.

Most of us have done it: stood in front of a crowd, palms sweating, heart pounding, throat dry as dust. Or maybe it wasn’t a big crowd. Maybe stage fright kicked in just by sitting at a table with strangers at a conference luncheon. Or coming out of lurkdom to comment on a blog. Or teaching a workshop. Or pitching a story to an editor or agent. Or having lunch with a newly acquired editor or agent for the first time. Or hitting “publish” on a blog post. Or hitting “send” on a manuscript, releasing it out into the contest world or to an editor’s desk. Or facing revisions/edits. Or seeing your published “baby” on a shelf or website, knowing others would read the words you so carefully penned.

Performance Anxiety. It’s not just for singers and dancers and athletes! It can be a problem with writers, too.

WebMD lists these symptoms:

•   Racing pulse and rapid breathing

•   Dry mouth and tight throat

•   Trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice

•   Sweaty and cold hands

•   Nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach

•   Vision changes

I would add insomnia, tightness in the your chest, being unable to think straight, inability to act (paralyzed by fear).

photo credit: Crestock/cteconsulting

I have a confession to make. I had insomnia a week ago as I worked on my post for today. I stress each month, wanting to make sure I have something interesting, helpful or inspiring to offer here in Seekerville. In fact, my very first post for this blog talked about worrying over not being funny enough or good enough! (Here’s that post for a laugh.)

I’ve also taught workshops at the Moonlight & Magnolias Conference and the RWA Conference, and have spoken to civic and church groups, all times where I thought my heart would pound right out of my chest and flop onto the podium. I spoke to the women's group at my OWN church, and my poor daughter said she kept trying to breathe for me because I sounded like I couldn't catch my breath. I’ve even taught online workshops where I could hardly sleep from worrying about pleasing participants.

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

The first time I sent my work to a published author to be critiqued at my local RWA chapter (thank you Ann Howard White!), I was nearly sick and almost burst into tears when she met with me to give feedback.

The first time I had lunch with my each of my editors I was so tongue-tied it’s a wonder I made a lick of sense.

The first time I set up a conference pitch appointment to meet with an agent (Natasha Kern, who I signed with years later!), I ended up cancelling the appointment because I chickened out!

(Note: Ann, Emily, Melissa and Natasha are lovely, caring people. The nervousness of those first meetings was totally from my end!)

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

I’m not a wimp. I’m not usually a chicken. Though I’m a bit of an introvert, I’m not shy. I can easily talk to strangers at the grocery store or hair salon. My kids get a kick out of how I’ll strike up a conversation with just about anyone. My husband once heard me talking to a woman who had a child about my son’s age and thought she was an old college friend. Yet I had just met her in the checkout line.

But put me in a situation where I feel as if I have to perform, and it’s a totally different ballgame. When it gets down to it, writing is a type of performance. We’re putting our words out there for everyone to read. And depending on what we’re writing, we may even be putting our heart and soul on the page for others to take a look inside us, to know us.

And that can be scary.

I brought some practical tips to help with performance anxiety. But before I go there, I want to take the issue one step further and share what I’ve learned about these fears of mine.

I’m doing a new Bible study right now, and we’re using FiveThings God Uses to Grow Your Faith, by Andy Stanley (I love his books and videos!). Something he said in the introductory video really hit me in regard to my issue. Andy said (and these quotes are just taken from my notes and aren't exact):

Every healthy relationship is built on trust. The relationship break between God and man happened over trust. Jesus’ message is: put your trust in Me to reestablish relationship. God is wooing us to trust Him.

That was a wake-up call to me. I’ve decided that my performance anxiety (people pleasing tendencies) boils down to fear, and the fear boils down to not trusting God to be in control and capable.

Do I really believe God is capable of taking care of me, my loved ones, and my writing career?

YES! So I need to live that way.

Whether or not you’re dealing with the spiritual trust issue, I figured some practical tips could help. I returned to WebMD for advice. They give 10 tips for handling performance anxiety. I’ve tailored those tips for writers.

1.   Be prepared/practice. If you’re going to speak or meet with someone in the industry or send out your work, don’t wait until the night before to throw something together. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel. If you tend to get tongue-tied like I do, then write something down to take with you.

2.   Don’t let nerves keep you from eating. You sure don’t want to get up in front of people and get dizzy or keel over. On the other hand, don’t stuff yourself beforehand either. Your nervous stomach will thank you. :) Also, don’t over-do on caffeine or sugar. Being hyper isn’t usually a good thing.

3.   Shift the focus off yourself and your fear and think about the other person or the audience. Focus on making them feel comfortable. This is one of my favorite pieces of advice in any uncomfortable situation!

4.   Don’t focus on what could go wrong. Stay positive! Think about the best possible outcome and expect that.

Photo credit: iStock/petekarici

5.   Avoid negative self talk or thoughts that produce self-doubt. Nip them in the bud!

6.   Practice controlled breathing. Pray. Focus on positive thoughts. Remain calm. I’ve stopped the terrible heart pounding while singing solos in church by prayer and slow, deep breathing.

7.   Take a walk or do something physical beforehand that helps calm you or gets your nervousness out. If your muscles are in fight-or-flight mode (our body’s reaction to real danger—which stage fright can cause), then try jogging in place or jumping up and down to relieve some of that energy.

8.   Connect with your audience or with the other person. If you’re in person, smile and look them in the eye. If it’s online, jump in with friendly conversation. You can do this!

9.   Act natural and be yourself! Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t try to meet unrealistic expectations. (If you’re shy, don’t think you suddenly have to become the life of the party.) Just reach out and be you. And always remember the other person/people may be nervous too! (Remember #3.)

10. Get plenty of rest! This is a big one for me. You can’t be on top of your game if you’re exhausted and frazzled. You need brain power (same as with eating).

I would also add another tip. Don’t ever hold back in your writing. Be honest, be passionate. Don’t fear letting readers get close. And don’t let anxiety keep you from doing your best work. Don't let it stop you from speaking up or stepping out to take advantage of opportunities.

I hope my sharing has helped you who suffer from similar anxiety. If you don’t, then I’m happy for you! If you’ve battled and overcome already, I applaud you!

Today, I’d love to hear from our lurkers, especially those who’ve been shy about commenting. I’ll give away one copy of any of my books (print or e-book as available), winner’s choice, to any lurker who comments and lets me know you’d like to be entered.

My question for everyone (lurker or not) is: who here has ever experienced stage fright? How’d you deal with it? Also, I'd love to hear what you think about the Olympics so far!

Missy

www.missytippens.com

Public Speaking—Even For Authors Who are Sissies

Sandra here with a special guest today with a timely topic. The other day on the television news they announced the results of a survey of what do Americans fear the most. The answer:  Public Speaking.

Our guest today, Ann Lee Miller has written a delightful post on this very topic. Please give Ann a Seekerville welcome and let's learn how to overcome that fear.

Public Speaking—Even For Authors Who are Sissies

By Ann Lee Miller

I swing between terror and adoring the adrenalin rush of public speaking. But I can’t deny publishing threw open the door to public speaking, and public speaking promotes my novels. A sweet gig if you can get it. And just maybe you can. Since publishing in June 2012, I’ve been caught up in a good ‘ol Arizona dust devil of speaking opportunities. In the past year, I’ve participated in 36 events in 2013, most of them speaking engagements.

After moving to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at sixteen—with a broken leg—I discovered speech class was required for graduation at my new high school. The prospect of enduring this cruel and unusual punishment marched me off to the guidance counselor’s office to plead for an exemption.

No dice.

To make matters worse, at the end of my junior year, my friends convinced me to cash in my notoriety from being the new girl on crutches by running for vice president of our class. They claimed the same students had been in power since middle school and the class was long overdue for a government shakeup.

How hard could VP be, right? Just a figurehead position. So, I filed the papers.
Surprise! I had to give a five minute campaign speech in front of the 310 members of my class. I’m not a quitter. Well, my friends made sure of that. The debate team member—who grew up to be a VP for Habitat for Humanity—told me to practice my speech in front of the mirror.

Gee, thanks.

When the day of the speech arrived, my goal was to not emit any embarrassing bodily functions on stage. Somehow, I survived the speech without committing social suicide. While I slumped in my chair recovering on the corner of the stage, the class sponsor announced Homecoming Queen votes would also be cast.

For all my whining, things didn’t turn out so badly. I was elected vice president of the senior class and member of the homecoming court. Best freak accident of my life.
Still, I didn’t take up public speaking until I hit my forties—motivated when a retreat presenter asked what desires we had yet to fulfill.

As the wife of a pastor, I’d never considered speaking. Wasn’t one person in the family who talked for a living plenty? Besides, I knew what good speaking was, and the latent perfectionist in my head told me I was not at that level.  But, the more I thought about it, the more I was convinced this was a true desire of my heart. If you search your heart and believe you’d like to pursue public speaking, believe God is nudging you to try it, or you’re a masochist… say yes!

Before You Publish

No matter how many heart palpitations you have to weather, say yes to every speaking opportunity that comes your way—

• Teach your child’s elementary class about a painting by a great master.
• Lead a Bible study.
• Speak at youth group.
• Teach a class at teen camp.
• Teach your writers’ group something you’re good at.

I did all these before I published and lived to tell about it. Look for your own open doors, and get started.

Public Speaking Tips (I asked my pastor husband, Jim, for some of his favorite tips)

• Know your audience and communicate in a language they will understand.
• Keep track of non-verbal feedback. If everybody is sleeping, maybe it’s time to depart from your notes.
• Engage your audience by asking for feedback—a show of hands or verbal comments.
• Use humor. Everybody loves to laugh.
• Know what your goal is. If motivational, have listeners make a commitment before leaving the room.
• Be a person of integrity. Give credit where it’s due. Check your facts.

Find Your Cheerleaders

A lot of us wake up every morning awash in insecurity—mostly self-generated—so I don’t see the point in seeking out constructive criticism. Instead, find your cheering section.
• Family members
• Friends
• Co-Workers

My husband and four kids rooted for me all along the way. I don’t think I could have succeeded without hearing “good job” and “I’m proud of you” on a regular basis.
Authors are supposed to ignore our mothers' effusive praise for our writing in favor of our critique partner's comments. Maybe your mom has leftover compliments to lavish on your speaking.

Gather friends who think you're funny or smart; the ones who push you to fulfill your destiny. Look for the people who "speak life" into you week after week. Ask these positive folks for their encouragement as you dive into public speaking. You'll probably be surprised by how creative and enthusiastic they are about the job.

What About Stage Fright? Yikes!

I should have felt confident when publishing opened the flood gates of speaking opportunities. But I wasn’t. The only thing that seems to quell freak-outs is speaking often. Since most of us don’t have the luxury of speaking frequently, we have to soldier through.

Here are some things that help:
• Practice your speech a few times, but don’t over-practice it.
• Realize you don’t have to be perfect. If one person takes something you say home, you were successful.
• Pray. Show up. Do your best. Let God speak through you.

What on Earth Do I Talk About?

Look for the themes that run through your novels for topics to speak on. If you felt strongly enough about a theme to write three hundred and fifty hopefully gut-wrenching pages, then you probably can speak passionately on the topic for twenty minutes.

In my case, Avra’s God focuses on forgiving someone who has done us wrong.

 Tattered Innocence attacks how nearly impossible it is to accept God’s forgiveness and to forgive ourselves. What audience wouldn’t want to learn how to walk out the door guilt-free?

Kicking Eternity talks about chasing our dreams. This topic is especially well suited for teens and young adults, but often older audiences need encouragement to work toward their remaining dreams, too.

The Art of My Life is about failing to measure up.

Most things we write about contain universal truths or emotions. Tell how you became passionate about the topic you wrote about. Chances are, most of your audience struggled with your issue at some point in their lives.



Do Speaking Engagements Grow on Trees?


In my experience, ninety-plus percent of speaking engagements come through networking. So, shake all the trees/people in your life and see what tumbles out. Someday we will field speaking requests when they come in. However, most of us don’t start there.

• We start by asking everyone we know if we can speak at her event.
• Make a list of your friends, acquaintances, business associates, and relatives who might secure speaking gigs for you if you asked.

In October, I traveled to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where I attended high school over 30 years ago and where I set my first four books. The guy I went to junior prom with now teaches English at our old high school. He let me teach all seven periods of his AP English classes. The gal who fixed us up for that prom date went on to become the reading supervisor for the county. She opened the door for me to speak to all the English classes for three periods in Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida. Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida, where I attended eighth-tenth grades, allowed me to speak to English classes. 

• Library, churches and resources located in settings of your book

In the town where my books are set, it was only a matter of e-mailing the library to get a speaking gig. I also spoke at a juvenile detention center because a friend’s niece worked there. A church book club had me speak as a result of my friend talking me up to her co-worker.

• Local radio stations

When I asked, I also snagged a three-minute interview on the local radio station. I was scared to death, but figured what better place to start than in a small town where listenership is minimal?

• Check out schools located in settings of your book

I was able to speak to a community college Christian group because my books were set nearby. My daughter had a great relationship with her English prof at Chandler-Gilbert Community College near our home in Arizona. He agreed to let me speak to his creative writing classes, and he’s had me back every semester for the past few years. Two of my writer friends are college professors—one teaches English, the other communications. Both have had me speak to their classes. A friend who is a local high school English teacher let me speak to her classes, too.
My daughter finished the last two years of her education at my alma mater, Ashland University in Ohio. Her position on the leadership team for the campus Christian fellowship opened the door for me to speak to a group of over three hundred college students at a worship service last February. I spoke for the Women In Dialogue program at nearby Ashland Theological Seminary—my husband, son, and daughter-in-law’s alma mater—because a long-time friend was in charge of lining up speakers. Due to my family members’ connection to the seminary, the institution allowed me to speak at their chapel service when I was in town. The president of the seminary gave such a beautiful introduction I nearly cried—I had mentored his daughter through a rebellious period many years earlier.
The day I spoke at Ashland Theological Seminary, two ladies in charge of the women’s program at our denomination’s annual national conference attended and afterward asked me to be their luncheon speaker.

• Look for unique and unusual settings for booksignings.

On a related topic, after hearing that unknown authors get poor turnouts for book signings in bookstores, I held mine at the town’s farmers’ market. This was hugely successful because many people walking through the farmers’ market were intrigued by books set in their town.

Also, on the trip to Ohio, my book cover artist—whom I attended college with—Robin Roberts of RedRedDesign.com, let me combine a book-signing with his scheduled monthly art-walk in his gallery. Many old college friends I hadn’t seen in decades attended.

Somehow, though planning is not really my thing, last Spring I found myself on our district’s women’s retreat planning committee.  When I showed up for the meeting in Tuscon, Arizona, the ladies asked me to be the retreat speaker. All of a sudden, planning got a lot more fun. This is one of the examples of how publishing swings open doors to speak.
If you haven’t caught on yet, I knocked on doors, but God had clearly set all these connections in place years and decades ago. Look at the connections God has already placed in your life, and start asking for opportunities to speak.


Easy Ways to Promote Public Speaking

• List several talks you are prepared to give on your website.

• Keep a calendar of speaking engagements on your website.

• Make sure your contact information or form is easy to find on your website.

• When the host of an event is particularly complimentary, ask for a couple of glowing sentences to post on your website and send to prospective venues.

• Post five-minute sound bites—or video clips when available—of your talks on the page where they are listed. Often the venue records guest speakers, and you only need to request a copy.

• When writing to request speaking engagements, give a couple references—with their e-mail addresses. Of course, ask permission of the references beforehand.

• Set up a book table to sell books at your speaking venues.

• Pass around a clipboard for audience members to sign up for your mailing list and receive a free gift—perhaps a free e-copy of a short story you’ve written. I send free e-copies of my novel, Kicking Eternity. [Also available free on request at AnnLeeMiller.com.]

Since I’ve only been published a year and a half, I rarely charge for speaking. So far I’ve broken even on speaking trips by selling enough books to cover expenses or from speaking honorariums.  From speaking, along with blog tours, Facebook, Twitter, and a three-times-a-week blog, I’m making a modest, but steady, income on my books.

I’d love to hear your hopes, fears, successes, and things I’ve left out! Please join in the conversation by leaving a comment.

Those who comment and/or share their experiences and ideas for public speaking will be entered into a drawing of a choice of two of Ann's ebooks.

Bio:
Ann Lee Miller earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains with her husband or meddling in her kids’ lives. Over 95,000 copies of her debut novel, Kicking Eternity, have been downloaded from Amazon.

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