A while ago, I was wondering out loud about whom I should ask to introduce me at my featured reading at the June open mic (on Wednesday). My first choice was Kevin Heslop, but no harm going over other names as well. I was startled when Linda suddenly became very serious, stood in front of me, looked me in the eyes, and said, "I've been thinking I would like to."
She is the shyest person I know. I was shocked. I said, "Sure! Of course, if you're up to it." I loved the idea, but I could also imagine the fear she would be feeling, and the courage it would take for her to get up there in front of that room full of people.
She said she would take lots of time thinking about what to say, and then writing it, which she's doing today. I suggested that if, at the last minute, she thinks she's going to freeze up, she could always ask someone else to read it for her. But just considering doing it is a huge thing for her. Not only is she shy, she's not very word-oriented either. So transitioning from her normal visual mind to reading words, in the midst of fear, is going to be hard.
One thing that will help her is that, over these five seasons of manning the book table, she's come to know a lot of the people who regularly attend. She's told me they feel like family to her now. That can't hurt.
She is the shyest person I know. I was shocked. I said, "Sure! Of course, if you're up to it." I loved the idea, but I could also imagine the fear she would be feeling, and the courage it would take for her to get up there in front of that room full of people.
She said she would take lots of time thinking about what to say, and then writing it, which she's doing today. I suggested that if, at the last minute, she thinks she's going to freeze up, she could always ask someone else to read it for her. But just considering doing it is a huge thing for her. Not only is she shy, she's not very word-oriented either. So transitioning from her normal visual mind to reading words, in the midst of fear, is going to be hard.
One thing that will help her is that, over these five seasons of manning the book table, she's come to know a lot of the people who regularly attend. She's told me they feel like family to her now. That can't hurt.
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