Practicing for the Oprah Show

Tip of the Day: Blow your nose well before any public speaking endeavor.

Tomorrow is my book launch signing at Powell’s Book Store.

In addition to signing books, I will also be doing a 15-minute talk and reading from my book.

Ah yes. For the introverted author, getting up and talking to a bunch of people where you are supposed to be witty, inspirational, and funny all at the same time is pretty much terrifying. Given the fact that most of the people in attendance are people I know, from work and other aspects of my life, it makes it even more so. Because, I mean, if you’re talking to a bunch of strangers, who cares if you suck? You won’t see any of them again anyway, right?

So, I’ve been working on my talk for a couple of weeks. It’s all written out, because, you know, I’m a writer. So it works best for me to do it that way.

But it’s not just writing it out. I have to practice saying it. Over and over again. My commute to and from work for the past week has been spent saying my talk out loud, to just myself. I’m sure people look over and see my mouth moving and my hands gesturing, with no one else in the car, and think I’m a loony bird. But I don’t care. It’s the best place to do it, because my husband and kids don’t have to listen to it fifty times. If they did, they would refuse to go and I need at least a few people in the audience who will laugh at my lame jokes, funny or not.

I suppose this is good practice. My mother insists she is going to get me and my book on the Oprah show. Stay tuned for that! (ha)

You may be wondering what I’m going to talk about. Well, I’m not going to tell you. Because my fans will be furious with me if I indulge anything! I can tell you this, though. I’m comparing writing to a certain TV show.

Yeah, I’ll admit, I’m shallow. And I watch a little too much TV.

Wish me luck!

~Lisa, Miss Pinch Me I'm Pubbed