Four months should give you more than enough time in which to work up a state of nerves. Was that planned by the librarian? Anyway, in that case, I think you should invite Rumple along with you, sort of as a body guard, or straight man, or... well, in four months, the two of you can come up with something, don't you think?
I really like the idea of bringing Rump along, between his wit, and my wit...we could probably come up with a whole wit...we could undoubtedly dazzle the crowd with something, if not brilliance...and his writerly advice is sort of "special"...
Besides, I could use somebody to help me carry in the liquor...
You don't think there's any chance I could persuade the library director to have open bar that night, do you? Well, I could always bring it up the next time we meet...can't hurt to ask...
I once knew a drinker who had a moderating problem...
I think maybe you need to come along as well Gypsy...maybe I could bring along the whole crew, it could be a real three ring circus...
I might never be allowed back in the library, or in town for that matter...but, it would be fun...
I once knew a drinker who had a moderating problem...
Congratulations, Alan.
Think of it this way: Four months gives you time enough to perfect your presentation so you aren't a bundle of nerves. Do some open mic poetry readings between now and then too, or maybe even go sing karaoke — anything to help you get used to being up in front of a crowd.
Yeah, I'm not so sure about the karaoke...I don't think I've ever been quite that drunk, and I'm fairly certain nobody who is not severely hearing impaired would put up with my singing...
Thanks for the suggestions though...I'll keep all that in mind...
I haven't really done anything resembling poetry readings as of yet, though I did read the 9/11 poem to my neighbor Scott on the steps of the Somerville library the day I finished it...he's Rover on Stories Space btw...
But yeah, I'll probably be nervous, but I think I'll survive and hopefully it will get easier each time...reminds me of a story someone shared over in a LinkedIn group, I won't mention any names, but he's on my FB friends list...anyway, he decided that for his first poetry reading he needed to consume a bit of "liquid courage" so to speak...and ended up falling off his chair at his first poetry reading...
I'll try not to make that mistake at least...better to look nervous, me thinks...
I once knew a drinker who had a moderating problem...
First, Who's Who, and now a reading. Kudos!
When a speaker I'd invited to an event in her honour arrived, she found we'd arranged plentiful consignment copies of her book, available for signing (in that case, from the university bookstore). Any chance something could be set up at the library? Maybe the prospect of sales would help disspell the willies.
Really, happy for you. =d>
Hmmm a door prize... and relatively close by. I might have to take up on this offer...