I woke up last night freaked out. How am I going to do live readings of my book? I am not a worry wart but I was possessed with this at 3am. A few tears is fine, but I can’t have a crying meltdown which is what happened multiple times yesterday when I gave it a go.
You would think since I do so many speaking engagements that reading from this book would be easier. For whatever reason, it’s not which surprised me.
A blubber fest is not what I want to put on display. So I’m thinking I go to some open mic nights, and maybe poetry reading nights to read some of Charles’ pages to get practice in front of an audience.
What do you think? I guess I should go to some first? Maybe no one reads anything? Is it just music? Anyone know?
I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief.
As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory.
Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.
View all posts by Anne Moss Rogers
4 thoughts on “Open mic nights?”
The Open Mic nights sound like a great idea to me. Plus you are bound to have someone in the audience who needs to hear what you have to say. 👍
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The Open Mic nights sound like a great idea to me. Plus you are bound to have someone in the audience who needs to hear what you have to say. 👍
That’s true. Might also prime the pun for my book sales.
I think some practice runs is a good idea to help reduce your anxiety. Maybe video yourself reading excerpts as well.
That’s a good idea, Kim. Thank you.