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.