If you've been following my blog, you know I'm a wicked anxious person. But as writers we'll all face that moment when we approach the stage, and GASP! read our work out loud. Or, we'll go on a book tour, and be like Eminem and be all, "He's nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready," and address a ton of strangers to impart some wisdom on everyone.
At AWP, they talked about going to coffee shops, and open mic nights and getting our names out there, so...
...Consider this blog hop, a practice run:
 |
| Omg, Open Mic Blog Hop! Yes! Thanks, Baxter, for suggesting it! :) |
I've chosen April 19, 2012 because well, it's my birthday and it gives me something to look forward to, and it's not even April 1st yet, so you guys have time to get your game faces on.
What We're Doing:
*Pick a piece. It could be the first chapter of your novel, a short story you really like, a few poems. BUT it has to be yours.
*Find a camera that takes video
*Video yourself reading your work out loud, to us, your captive audience
Tips:
--I'm personally going to aim for like two-three minutes. Maybe less, because like I said, I'm anxious.
--If you'd like, you may also post the writing to your blog, so that we can read along with you as you read to us
--Remember, look up. We'll actually get to see you now!
--If you're nervous, it's okay. I'll be freaking out, too!
--If you'd like, you may edit your video, but umm....my computer is old school, I won't be able to, so you'll get to see me turn my camera on, read, and turn it off. Bax may make a guest appearance since he usually is where I am
--Have fun with it!
For the record, you can upload videos directly to blogger, or if you prefer and have a YouTube channel, you can do it that way. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! Also, please sign up on the linky at the bottom, and steal the Blog Hop thumbnail thinger for your blog, too!
One More Thing:
If we're able to reach 75 participants, two people (chosen at random, probably by Baxter) will get a five page (written, not read out loud :) ) critique from me. If they'd like, anyway. :)
One More Thing:
If we're able to reach 75 participants, two people (chosen at random, probably by Baxter) will get a five page (written, not read out loud :) ) critique from me. If they'd like, anyway. :)
Oh gosh, I already told you how super scary this sounds, but also WAY FUN!
ReplyDeleteHahah, I totally scheduled this for tomorrow to be posted (which is why the date at the top says it's tomorrow...) Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrified, but I figured if I can't read in front of my camera, I won't really be able to read in front of a group when I'm published :)
Lol, that's awesome! Blogger hates me and does this all the time.
DeleteI may cheat and make my kids do it... ;)
No cheating :)
DeleteAnd yea, blogger is a butthead. Sometimes, anyway.
I must be insane. *coughs* Ok fine, you twisted my arm. *sighs* I'll probably go ummmmm a lot and mumble through my video. Yea, there goes five years of theater down the drain LOL
ReplyDeleteOn second thought, I might make Gus read it outloud so I can correct stuff as he does it LOL
Yay!!! I'm so excited!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously scary!!!! I'm hiding right now!!!!! I'm going to have to work myself up to do this ;) I'm not even sure how to do this!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, be brave! Wear a silly hat! :)
DeleteThis sounds like an excuse, but I don't have anything that takes video :-(
ReplyDeleteCan you borrow a webcam? Most digital cameras have the video option, as do smart phones... Just saying, there are ways around not owning something that takes video :)
DeleteSounds like fun! I can probably get my so-called fiancé to shoot me on one of our cameras next time I go over to his parents' house to see him. (Hopefully his overbearing, naggy, Harpy of a mother won't ruin the video like she's ruined some of his previous videos by screeching his name or his dad's name in the background!) Although I don't have the most theatre-worthy voice, perhaps a nascent influence of my Southwestern Pennsylvania nasal twanging roots.
ReplyDeleteI think the background noise may add to it, no? :)
DeleteI'm such a chicken about these things. 1. I hate the sound of my voice and the way I look on camera and 2. I'm scared to read my work aloud becasue I always feel like it sucks. I'll have to think about it becasue I'm a scaredey cat...
ReplyDeleteI hate the sound of my voice, too. Also, the way I look; in pictures, on camera, etc. I also think all writers think their work sucks.
DeleteBut, be brave J.A., it's kind of why I wanted to do this, to help all of us overcome our fears. It's a small step, but a step nonetheless!
This sounds like such fun. **coughs nervously** I can't wait to join in. **eyes dart toward door--will they notice if I just slip out the back?**
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you had me hooked with the Eminem lyric (sans Mom's spaghetti). I'll see if I can rustle up the courage and the camera to pull this off.
Callie
I laughed so hard when I read this. Yes we'd notice if you slipped out the back :)
DeleteAnd excellent about the Em lyric. He inspires me a lot, so I quote him a lot. It's very pumpy-upy.
Best of luck camera finding! :)
OK Lady, I'm in. I'll have to: find something to read, have a panic attack, figure out how to work the camera, have a panic attack, read, have a panic attack, etc. Definitely a pattern there, but I'm sure I'll have it radically under control by April 19th, she said convincingly, beginning to panic.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Did you fill out the linky up at the top? :) It's okay, I'll be having a panic attack too, you also won't be able to see the bottle of wine that will be present and accounted for..in my belly :)
Delete