Okay, Help. I Have Never Read Before–GIVE ME ADVICE!
Internet friends, help me. I am reading at the Soda Bar on Sunday in Brooklyn – with Matt Bell, John Madera, and Jeff Parker (!! I know, why am I there?) – and I am scared out of my mind. Yes, I did used to be an actress. Yes, I did used to perform Shakespeare for a whole lot of people live. But this is different, right? I mean, do I read my piece like I’m performing it? Or I guess like most people read, like Ira Glass or Sarah Vowell or something? I also have a crappy voice–it’s just kind of girlish and not that high, and while I was acting I would change it, but I probably should read in my own voice, right?
Oh, balls. Please, writerly friends. How do I not suck and totally horrify everyone in this reading? Advice? Tips? Links to people I should listen to? I’ve been to readings, but most of them were really bad or someone like David Sedaris that is so distinctive you can’t possibly copy them. (Also, I don’t think I could sound like a 60-year-old-pack-a-day-smoking-female even if I really, really tried.) So past experience is not particularly helpful. Maybe you can be? I would owe you forever!
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I hope Tim J-Y comes by to say the opposite, because he says it so well, but personally the only way I’m at all comfortable and feel the least bit ‘genuine’ is to be the same person on stage as I was in my chair before going up. As little performance or persona as possible, because once I start being aware of the performance it’s all I think about and my reading is lousy. And somehow, in some universe, I was an actor once, too.
It probably makes my readings a bit dull, but it’s that or nothing, so…
Thanks, Steve. I feel like TJY is sort of in a class by himself when it comes to performance, and since I’m never going to look as awesome as he does in glitter and sparkles, I probably shouldn’t try.
I feel like I probably have to be natural, because if not I’ll have a tendency to act like I did on the stage, which would certainly amount to overacting in a small Brooklyn bar. I was never a very good film/tv actress for the same reason. I don’t have a very subtle face or way of speaking, to say the least. (That’s a nice way of saying I’m a ham and the only thing I was ever super awesome at was improv or comedia del arte.)
whatever you do, don’t overthink it! just relax and be natural. as a writer, the work is done already. actors and musicians have more reason to be nervous because they have to do their work onstage, whereas for writers, the reading is the dessert that comes after the meat & potatoes of writing.
Thanks, Matt–that actually does make me feel better. I’m there not because I read well, but because people liked what I already wrote. Whew.
wish i could attend. i’m pretty jealous.
it’s been years since i read but drinks and xanax are helpful. and i like to read through the piece a few times before hand so the cadences and language feels natural leaving your mouth.
To second and third and fourth the above: Just be yourself, relax, and have fun.
When you get up there, don’t start reading until you’re ready. If that means taking awkward deep breathes while people wait, so be it– We’ll forgive you when you read stronger for it. That’s also a reason to have a preamble of sorts, as it gives you some time to settle in. As long as it’s natural and brief.
Something that took me a long time to learn: If you have humor in your piece, and if people laugh at your jokes, then don’t go on until they’re done laughing, because if you keep stepping on their laughter then they’ll stop laughing.
Most importantly, have fun, take your time with your words, and know that you’ve already got a bunch of fans in the room, so there’s nothing to be nervous about.
Thanks, Matt, for all the advice.
see you tomorrow!
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Dear Anoelle,
A point that may be too obvious to make is that you rehearse the pieces ahead of time, and that you only read what you presently adore.
Also – what I have tried in the past (because I suffer with the same fears) is pretend I am sharing a great work of SOMEBODY ELSE – and that I want the audience to love this author as much as I do. Of course the author is you, but you don’t have to remind yourself of that, at least not until they applaud.
Ricky
Thanks, Ricky. That second point actually sounds REALLY helpful. I’m totally doing that.