I’m one of those writers who’s a real people-pleaser.
Would you like me to change something in my manuscript? A character name, the setting, a plot point? Bring a character back from the dead or kill one? I’m your girl.
Want me to talk to your book club? On the radio? Give a chat at a bookstore? I’m there.
Want me to do a reading?….No thanks. I’ll ask to do something different.
I’ve read aloud on two occasions—and both times I was taken completely by surprise. Once I was on a panel at a bookstore event and a reader from the audience asked me to read an excerpt from my book.
“I don’t read,” I told her. She was a scowling older lady and she raised her eyebrows at my proclamation that I didn’t read. “I mean, aloud,” I said. Again with the eyebrows. “Except to my children.” She looked stern. So I ended up reading my prologue. I was quite put-out.
The second time, I was on a book tour and didn’t realize a reading was part of the gig. And I had to follow Avery Aames who has been a professional actress. Ugh. Let’s just say that I couldn’t compare. (The picture at the top of the post shows Avery and me together before last summer’s event—luckily there are no pictures of the moment when I realized I’d be doing a reading. :) )
Why do I dislike readings so much? I’m just one of those people who doesn’t like being read to. One of the things that will drive me up the wall is to have my hubby try and read a story out of the newspaper to me. I’ll read it myself! In seconds, because I read quickly. And since I don’t enjoy being read to, I’m also not wild about reading aloud, myself.
This being said, I’ve attended a number of events where there were readings (and couldn’t escape). Here are some tips for handling readings:
Keep it short. Really short. This Galley Cat article recommends keeping the reading to three minutes.
If you don’t have a microphone, speak loudly.
Use inflection when you’re reading. Avery Aames honestly had the best reading I’ve ever heard. Did her background in television have anything to do with that? Of course! I felt almost like I was listening to a book on tape…which was much more entertaining than an ordinary reading.
If you’re on a panel, be sure to listen attentively when someone else is reading their excerpt.
I’d love to be converted into a writer who enjoys readings, but I have a feeling I’m a lost cause. Any tips to win me over to them? Does anyone out there actually enjoy readings—either listening to them or giving them?
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I like the comments above! I think keeping the actual reading part short is really important. People get bored without interaction, so you want to find a way to interact with the audience.
Keep it to 3 minutes, I like that advice! That makes it sound a lot less daunting. I think I could actually do that. Great post, thank you!
One of my long-published writer friends does great readings and gave me some tips. Always STAND UP (if at all possible) so you can move around a bit and gesture freely. TALK about the book, the setup to the scene, why you decided to do this or that (or some other tidbit) then read a smallish passage, then TALK about some other thing, then read another passage. An hour will whoosh by and your audience will be riveted.
I’ve come to really enjoy readings since I’ve learned to make them more like performance art.
Elizabeth – I like the advice you’ve put together for readings. But I have to say, I like reading aloud. I really do! And the funny thing is, in a lot of other things I’m not much of an attention-getter. But I don’t mind it if I’m reading aloud. One thing I’ve found, for what it’s worth, is that it helps to practice what you’re going to read before you read it, so you can really make sure the inflection is what you want it to be, etc.. Maybe even have a short reading rehearsed and ready so that if you are unexpectedly asked to do a reading, you’re good to go.
I read to my husband in the car when we have a long road trip…at least until my throat gets sore. :P I enjoy being read to but I have a hard time focusing for too long. I always love hearing authors read when I go to signings, though. I think it’s fun to hear their story in their own voice. It gives me a glimpse of what’s behind the writing.
One of my early writing group members was a poet, and did readings all the time. She invited me to be her “opening act” at a function and told me to be ready to read for 30 minutes. No way. Prose isn’t poetry. I did read the first chapter of my book, but now if people want me to read something, I read my character interviews which are “fun” and make a good springboard for discussion.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I’m like you–not a fan of readings, from either side (reading or being read to). And so far, I’ve been able to get away with having only to read a few pages here and there at events. But in a couple weeks, I’m participating in a “reading.” A real, honest-to-goodness reading where I’m expected to read for, like, 20 minutes. Aaaaii!
Good God, I love being read to, and I love reading outloud. Two nights ago, my step-dot read to me from the Tina Fey book while I knit socks. It was perfect. I so miss pretending to do something while my husband read to my step-kids. He has such a lovely reading voice.
I’ll come and read for you anytime. You find out when you have to read and tell the crowd that you have a pinch-reader and I’ll be your gal!Jan Morrison
I’d be horrified if someone asked me to read!
I read aloud to my son, so I’m getting practice at making it sound good for an audience. Public speaking makes me nervous, but I think doing a reading would be okay for me. It would mean I wouldn’t have to think of what to say. It’s the rest of the panel stuff that I don’t look forward to.
My problem is “narrative voice.” I can’t “do” the voice of the character I hear in my head, so I don’t like what I’m hearing when I read aloud.
I can do Mick, the narrator of Have Gun, Will Play, all right, but he’s a guy and my voice isn’t right, but in my current book I have a guy with an unidentifiable mixture of Brit accents that’s all his own, and I cant do what I hear.
I have been thinking of recording mini-podcasts for fun and practice. I think that would be a good idea for anyone who fears being asked to perform. Recording makes you TWICE as self-conscious because not only do you not sound like the character, you don’t sound like you.
Heather–Short is always good!
Tammy–These are absolutely brilliant tips. I will keep them in mind if someone tricks me into doing a reading again! Especially the standing up and making it interactive and talking about the background of the excerpt.
Sierra–Short is the only way to go! The one reading that I did last August, I only read about 2 paragraphs. I have a feeling that those in attendance were taken aback. But seriously, it can get really boring to hear someone read. Except if the reader is Avery!
Mallory–Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I loved hearing stories read to me as a child, then I was just DONE with it!
Jan–You can be my Cyrano!
Margot–Yes, but you’ve also been a DJ!! I have a feeling you’ve got a great voice for reading, with your background in radio. As for me…bleh.
Alex–I was, too!
Terry–I’d have changed my phone number and email address and disappeared if someone asked me to read for 30 minutes!! Oh my gosh. No, prose sure ain’t poetry.
Jaleh–Believe it or not, I think panels are the very easiest public speaking gigs. That’s because there’s a moderator asking questions and you have a turn as opposed to having to carry the whole event yourself (which always makes me a little nervous.) I handle panels really well and I’m not a great speaker.
Your generous nature is inspiring, especially when it compells you to step outside your comfort zone. Thank you for this wonderful advice.
I participated in the Read Across America program at a middle school back in March and that was fun because I wasn’t reading my books – well okay the first class I read to was a 6th grade group of about 8 or 10 students (this was a helper class from what I could figure out – the students go to that class and catch up on their regular classes) and the other class was a 7th grade group, again small size – about 8 or 10 in there but that was an extra class, not a regular English or Math or Science class – they were doing computers I think. The first group I read a book called “Between the Cracks” (I think that was the title) – which was selected for me to read. The second class was a spur of the moment decision (I had only volunteered for one class but had fun and asked if I could do another class before I had to head out for another event I was volunteering at for the afternoon) and the person who was supposed to read to that group had cancelled but the librarian didn’t have anything for me to read so I volunteered to read my second place short story that I turned into a book, “Train of Clues,” and I guess because I was reading to kids as I would have to my own, it didn’t bother me so much. But I think reading to adults is a different story. One reason I don’t do readings is because I can’t give away much of my stories anyway and they really aren’t meant to be read to adults. I’m all about the kids – lol.
I think there is a difference in where and to whom you are reading. Hang in there and you will be fine and remember the more you practice, the better you get at it and one day you will be like Avery – have a great reading voice – E :)
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
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Alan–That makes me feel anxious just thinking about it! You’ll do great, though. I’ve heard you read before, I think, and you did well…maybe it was on that video interview last year?
Critique Sisters–Thanks. :) It’s amazing how the business of writing can pull us out of our comfort zone so quickly!
Public speaking isn’t my favorite thing, but I do like to share my work when people let me. Three minutes seems like a very short reading.
The Daring Novelist–Reading in VOICES! Ha! No, I haven’t tried that–just for the kids. I’m definitely not at that level with the adults.
I don’t think of myself as being very entertaining, that’s for sure. I’m *animated* (I talk with my hands), but that doesn’t work well with a reading because I’m clutching the book. And I’m just thinking how dumb I look the whole time.
Elysabeth–Oh, that Read Across America is such a great program!
You know, I’m much better at reading to children…but not MY stuff (not that I could read murder mysteries to elementary kids anyway) Let me read a book like “I Stink” or “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” or “Bad Kitty,” “The Perfect Nest,” or “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers” and I’m there! There must just be something about reading to adults that turns me off.
I hate readings! From both sides.
I don’t read either. I’ll talk about the book, but I won’t read from it. Last time I was in a group of authors and we were supposed to read, it was… numbing. Five of us, and by the time it got to me (#4) the first three had chewed up over 45 minutes reading. (We had one hour.) I was bored to tears at that point and it was so hard to rev up my spunk again.
Some people really like them, but I’m not one of those people!
Don’t like the sound of your own voice?
The Daring Novelist–I’m not usually satisfied with how my voices come out, if I try to read in character. Yep, I definitely don’t have a future in cartoon voiceovers!
Hmm…podcasts…
Jarvis–I don’t! Especially recorded. It’s sort of twangy.