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barnes21
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Hi all, my book is out on the 1st of Feb, so I've started booking some school visits, but I get so nerves that I actually feel sick. Can anyone give me some tips on how you cope with nerves. Thanks Vix  www.darkmoorchildrensbook.co.uk
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pam123writing
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Quote: barnes21, Monday, 21 Nov 2011 11:08Hi all, my book is out on the 1st of Feb, so I've started booking some school visits, but I get so nerves that I actually feel sick. Can anyone give me some tips on how you cope with nerves. Thanks Vix www.darkmoorchildrensbook.co.uk You could contact Kate Hanney (K0306) on here. Her book "Safe" has done very well in schools and she did the school visits and talks too. Put a message on here for her. I'm sure she'll help you if she can. 
This post was last edited by pam123writing, 21 Nov 2011, 11:23
Three Steps to Heaven 'Til I Kissed You Always On My Mind A rock'n'roll romance series by Pam Howes all available on Amazon in paperback and e-Books. Visit my website for details. Fast Movin' Train - A stand alone love story. Amazon links on: website"And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969
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sulcus
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Quote: barnes21, Monday, 21 Nov 2011 11:08Hi all, my book is out on the 1st of Feb, so I've started booking some school visits, but I get so nerves that I actually feel sick. Can anyone give me some tips on how you cope with nerves. Thanks Vix www.darkmoorchildrensbook.co.uk rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. be as pre-prepared as you can. it won't eliminate the nerves, but it should minimise them as you build up your own confidence in your material that you know it like the back of your hand
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
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notleyab
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Get a big bag of weed, even get the kids to roll up some up with you.
Oh, and a spare pair of pants/knickers in each pocket.
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erict
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I think it was Mark Twain said something like it takes a huge amount of preparation to be concise and spontaneous. I’ve never spoke regarding my writing, but public speaking has been part of my life for over 30 years.
I used to work to get a speech to the point where I didn’t need any notes. I started using bullet points, but now fully script my talk. For me, this works best. These days I use A4 sheets printed large enough that I don’t need to keep taking glasses on and off as I read and look back at the audience.
My hands shake when I’m speaking (yes after 30 years, I’m still nervous), therefore a handful of pages trembling is a distraction to the audience, try to use a lectern or a table. (hence the big print.) Don’t staple the pages or fold them together so that they are hard to separate. Fighting to check you haven’t turned two pages is a real show stopper. If the paper is damp, or your fingers dry, this will also be a problem – practise!
Rehearse sufficiently with the notes so that you can look up and continue to speak. The old cliché of speaking to the person at the back of the room is essential, but don’t give them a complex by staring too hard at them!
Practice at full volume, it might scare wife or dog, but if you stumble, you need to fix the wording so you are comfortable with it.
Avoid “spontaneous” jokes.
Good luck
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ajblack4567
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I present a lot in my job and I find the key is my breathing. When nervous, we don't breathe as deeply as we normally do and this is what is audible in the voice of someone who is nervous (voice higher pitched than usual, shaky or broken). So Google good breathing exercises and try them. If you're in control of your breathing and your voice, and you're confident in your material (as you should be, since you wrote it!!) there's really very little to be nervous about. It is important to rehearse, in particular so you can be sure of your timings and pace, but (and this is personal preference) I find if I rehearse too much the presentation can be a little flat, almost as if I myself aren't that interested! So it's a balance between preparation and a degree of freewheeling that works for me. If you're a shaker, avoid holding a sheet of paper in your hand which magnifies the shaking and makes it apparent to all in the room. If you're using notes, leave them on a table / lectern in front of you, and if you must hold them in your hand, use those 6'x4' cards, which have a much lower "tremble factor" !!! Lastly, be conscious of the energy in the room. When we're at the front of the room, our energy stays at an elevated level, but those in the room will find their energy ebbing and flowing, and if you're really smart you'll read that and adjust accordingly (such as a little exercise or Q&A if things seem to be flagging). You should think of this as the valuable opportunity that it undoubtedly is, rather than something to be endured. Enjoy it, you've earned it !!
My story, 'An Encounter' - as improved by YWOers - is available in this anthology: Speech Bubble Magazine Best Of Issues 1, 2 & 3 ebook
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ajblack4567
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Sorry, above post appeared twice in error.
This post was last edited by ajblack4567, 21 Nov 2011, 13:44
My story, 'An Encounter' - as improved by YWOers - is available in this anthology: Speech Bubble Magazine Best Of Issues 1, 2 & 3 ebook
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barnes21
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Thank you everyone very much for your advice, every piece helps!!  Victoria
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k0306
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Quote: pam123writing, Monday, 21 Nov 2011 11:21Quote: barnes21, Monday, 21 Nov 2011 11:08Hi all, my book is out on the 1st of Feb, so I've started booking some school visits, but I get so nerves that I actually feel sick. Can anyone give me some tips on how you cope with nerves. Thanks Vix www.darkmoorchildrensbook.co.uk You could contact Kate Hanney (K0306) on here. Her book "Safe" has done very well in schools and she did the school visits and talks too. Put a message on here for her. I'm sure she'll help you if she can. Hi Vix As Pam says, I do have some experience of doing school visits, and if I can help you out in any way, please feel free to contact me via the website below. Hope it all goes really well for you. Cheers, Kate
www.katehanney.com
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PERRY
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Loads of drink and funnels for the tea-totallers. What are they going to do - lynch you? Er ... forget I said that. Eat lot of sprouts the night before. It's hard to heckle when you're holding your breath.
Remember you have a sense of humour - don't be afraid to use it.
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School Visits
21 Nov 2011, 11:08
