In early 2011, a few months after my first book was published, I was invited to do a bookstore reading in Chicago with two other writers; both were men far along in their careers, many books between them.
the emcee of a reading series i've been in instructs participants sternly to say nothing as a preface. nothing else but the title of the piece. then nothing after. no chit chat. he's also a person who grew up in the theater and treats the series like a play. it is ensemble theater. what's important is not really you the writer, but the audience's experience. i found it a relief to be directed by him.
I like the no preamble rule / it can be tough for some who are reading an excerpt from a longer work but this seems especially good advice for organizing a reading if you have inexperienced readers.
Right?! I used to include a short lesson on giving public readings when I taught undergraduate classes - I think this is a skill we all need to learn if we're planning to make lives as writers.
the emcee of a reading series i've been in instructs participants sternly to say nothing as a preface. nothing else but the title of the piece. then nothing after. no chit chat. he's also a person who grew up in the theater and treats the series like a play. it is ensemble theater. what's important is not really you the writer, but the audience's experience. i found it a relief to be directed by him.
I like the no preamble rule / it can be tough for some who are reading an excerpt from a longer work but this seems especially good advice for organizing a reading if you have inexperienced readers.
Oh gosh! I am cringing and bemused at the same time. A good reminder. Don’t hold the audience hostage. Please! Cut me off.
Right?! I used to include a short lesson on giving public readings when I taught undergraduate classes - I think this is a skill we all need to learn if we're planning to make lives as writers.