My Guest Appearance

As an author, I occasionally receive an invitation to visit a book club whose members are reading and discussing one of my novels. I know it’s an honor, but I also find these events nerve-wracking. What if they don’t like my book? What if they ask questions I can’t answer or spot errors I can’t defend?

My most recent invitation, however, presented an entirely new problem. The group was reading my debut novel, The Silver Suitcase. Yikes. I’ve penned six other books since that one. While the story would be fresh in their minds, I could barely remember the characters’ names. They sent out a quiz on the book to members ahead of time and included me in the email. At least one of their questions stumped me.

So, with two weeks remaining before the scheduled Zoom meeting, I decided to listen to the audio version of The Silver Suitcase. That way, I could refresh my memory while working around my kitchen. I confess I experienced a few cringe-worthy moments as I listened, which is not all bad. It means I’ve honed a few writing skills since composing that story.

At least I felt better prepared to chat with these readers who also enjoy public speaking. And that’s what makes this group unique. It’s a Toastmasters Club called “Talking Books.” My curiosity about how this combination might work was certainly piqued.

I learned that a requirement of joining this book club is that you must also belong to at least one “regular” Toastmasters club. Eighteen participants logged in on Saturday afternoon. After the general welcome, the Grammarian presented our word of the day: “departure.” The idea is to use the word as often as possible throughout the meeting when called upon to speak. I was well familiar with this practice.

But when it came time for Table Topics, I discovered they conduct theirs differently. Instead of having a random question thrown at you and having to speak for one and a half to two minutes with no preparation, this club divides into groups of four. Each group has ten minutes to discuss a different question about the book and select their spokesperson. When the larger group reconvenes, each spokesperson then addresses the question, summarizing the thoughts of the sub-group.

With the author present at this meeting, they replaced what would normally be a prepared speech with a panel discussion, giving the moderator an opportunity to practice a new skill. She appointed me to the panel along with three others and we took turns answering her well-thought-out questions. This was followed by an opportunity for me to speak for five minutes and answer more questions. Naturally, I used the chance to promote my other books because no author in their right mind would not.

After receiving the answers to the ten-question quiz (which I aced, thanks to having just listened to the book), hearing the Grammarian’s report, the General Evaluator’s report, and the Timer’s report, the Toastmaster gave closing comments and adjourned the meeting two hours after it began—twice the length of my club’s meetings!

Clearly, this group served to remind me that while each club is unique in its formatting, pace, and purpose, Toastmasters clubs across the globe provide a wonderful place to learn, grow, and have fun together. If you want to improve your public speaking skills in a safe environment, join Toastmasters. You can find a group near you HERE. You won’t regret it.

I forgot to take a screen shot of my guest appearance!

 

 

Public Speaking During a Pandemic

While the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of large public gatherings and put most professional speakers out of work, our local Portage Chamber Toastmasters club found a way to continue meeting and growing our skills. Virtual meetings via Zoom started almost immediately after self-isolation began. Instead of meeting around a board table at the Community Futures Heartland office like usual, we were each in our own homes or offices. We still met at the same time, each Monday at 11:45 for one fast-paced hour. We simply clicked on the link emailed to members, sat in front of our computers or phones until all attendees faces popped up on the screen, and conducted the meeting almost as if we were together.

Since I would normally walk to the meetings, these virtual ones saved me a half hour of travel time. In seconds, I could transition from whatever I was working on in my home office to join the meeting—possibly with a quick check in the mirror first. Of course, that also meant finding another time for a daily walk, lest my Covid-19 weight gain grows into Covid-119.

When called upon to speak, whether it’s an off-the-cuff answer to a question or a longer prepared speech, it felt a little weird to not receive simultaneous feedback from your audience. Because everyone mutes their microphone until it’s their turn to speak (to minimize distracting noises), the person speaking couldn’t hear laughter or other immediate responses. While it may have felt like you were making eye contact with others, it only seemed like eye contact to others if you were looking directly into your computer’s tiny camera lens. You could say these sessions helped prepare us should we ever do television broadcasting or posting videos of our own—something more people are taking up.

I asked some of the members to name the pros and cons of these virtual meetings. Vicki Hooke said, “I am so grateful that our Toastmasters was able to continue because this gave me purpose. I volunteered to do a speech right at the beginning of the quarantine because that inspired me and kept me going for a few days. It’s also quite relaxing to have a meeting from home.”

Betty-Jean Checkley mentioned that the main thing lacking was human connection. “Without all the nuances of body language, it can be quite sterile. Initially it gave us the security that we, like children, crave with structure and routine. In the uncharted waters of the pandemic, the familiarity of gathering together was like a buoy in the water.”

Nettie Neudorf added, “For those that are nervous in front of people, I have seen them be more relaxed in a virtual meeting. Each user’s level of understanding of the technology affects the overall meeting experience. There are more distractions in a virtual meeting than in person. I have got to see some members’ personal space in the background. That helps me see their world (literally) and learn more about their personality than I do in a professional setting.”

All agreed that we’re grateful for the technology that allowed us to finish our season strong and for this opportunity to become more comfortable with that technology. Despite the unique chance to see into others’ homes and in some cases meet their pets and puppets, the overall consensus seems that “in person” will always be best. We look forward to the day we can speak face to face again. Either way, we’ll reconvene in the fall.

Local friends, if you want to improve your public speaking skills in a safe and supportive environment, Toastmasters always has room for you. Call Cindy at (204) 857-7778 for more information.

I'd Rather Die

In his book, I’d Rather Die than Give a Speech, Michael M. Klepper tells the story of how he went from “heart failure” to “speeches with heart.” He learned to hurdle what could have been a career handicap and turned it into an asset.

Glossophobia is the fancy name for fear of public speaking and it affects most of us to some degree. Rare is the person who’s immune to any form of nervousness or apprehension at the thought of public speaking and performance. Even famous celebrities deal with it. Many learn to push through their pounding heart, profuse sweating, shaking, and even vomiting. For others, it’s a paralyzing fear they never overcome. Often it begins in childhood.

That’s why we’re so proud of Brad.

At a recent meeting of our Portage Chamber Toastmasters Club, Brad delivered a speech about his greatest fear. As a boy, Brad lived with a stammer which grew worse with nerves. The other kids teased him, and you can imagine how little that helped.

Brad’s an introvert who loves working with numbers. He’s gifted in figuring out investments and how to make money grow. He was a natural candidate to become a financial consultant for other people.

Except for the people part.

Brad admitted he’d always suffered a fear of talking to people, both one-on-one and in groups. Standing in front of a crowd to speak became his most dreaded nightmare. But Brad knew if he was going to prove successful in his career—and in life—he needed to conquer this fear. And the best way to overcome any fear is by doing the thing you fear. Preferably, with people who will cheer you on and help you grow.

Brad enrolled in a twelve-week Dale Carnegie course. The course gave him a new level of confidence and the courage to take the next step. That’s when he joined our club.

Toastmasters is all about giving its members opportunities to speak in a safe, supportive environment. It works! In the brief year we’ve been meeting, I’ve watched people who, at their first meeting, took a pass when called on to say their own name. The next week they were able to stand and introduce themselves. The following week they introduced themselves and answered the question of the day. And so on.

Brad was one of these. The day he commanded the lectern and spoke for six minutes about his journey was not only a triumph for Brad. It was a victory for all of us.

And he didn’t stammer once.

Was it perfect? No speech ever is. And that’s the beauty of it. Even the best speakers have room to improve, and we meet to help one another do exactly that. Brad earned himself the flaming pink flamingo that day, a fun and super-classy award given out at the end of each meeting to honour our “most improved” member.

Your Creator did not intend for you to live in fear (See II Timothy 1:7). He smiles when you conquer your fears and move toward becoming the person he designed you to be. If public speaking is a fear you’d love to conquer—or even if you’d simply like to become more polished in your presentations—I hope you’ll consider joining us at Toastmasters. Regardless where you’re at on your road to better public speaking, you’ll receive helpful evaluations, growth points, and encouragement. You’ll go home having laughed a lot, applauded a lot, and been applauded for. A lot.

Our group is business-focused, which means if your employer or a group to which you belong is a Portage Chamber member, you are welcome to join. We meet every Monday (except holidays) for one fast-paced hour starting at 11:45 a.m. in the board room of Community Futures Heartland – 11 2^nd Street NE in Portage. You’re welcome to bring your lunch.