Apropos of ' What the hell' attitude. When I lectured before a large audience or when I read, which is only occasionally, I recognise that I am two people, I am the shy and retiring one who would never ever stand up in front of a crowd and I am also a dreadful show-off enjoying centre stage. I let the shy one go off and watch from the side of the stage and let the show-off get on with it. Arthur.



	-----Original Message----- 

	From: The Pennine Poetry Works on behalf of Sue Scalf 

	Sent: Thu 26/08/2004 16:28 

	To: [log in to unmask] 

	Cc: 

	Subject: Hints on poetry readings

	

	



	I used to be a terrible poetry reader.  I was nervous in the extreme, and my

	readings detracted from the poems rather than enhancing them.  Teaching helped

	me because I had to face an audience all the time, but even then I had

	moments of fright, especially when I had to face a whole audience of parents who

	were paying very high tuition and tell them about my plans for the year, etc.

	Soooo.  I looked at the audience, and I said to myself, Oh, what the hell.  And

	it turned a key for me.  Anytime I feel stage fright to the point that it is

	going to affect my presentation that is the  phrase I say to myself.  Another

	thing that helps is to tell a little joke to begin.  Once you have made a fool

	of yourself initially, you have nothing much left to worry about.

	My favorite is:  Your contest chair asked me what my reading fee was, and I

	told him I would pay as much as $50 to get to read before some groups.

	Thirdly, once I start I totally forget about the audience and keep my mind deep in

	the poem.  As a result of this, I am told I am an excellent reader.  One thing

	for sure is that I absolutely enjoy it now.  Hope this helps, Sue