Be Scared and Do It Anyway

“Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile . . . initially scared me to death.”–Betty BenderWhen I was a graduate student, no one could imagine me volunteering to speak in public.  The first time I got in front of an audience was at the local historical society.  I kept a death grip on the  podium except when I had to turn the page in my notes.  This death grip kept me from keeling over.

Are you nodding?  I hope not, because public speaking is one of the best ways for a writer to promote him or herself.  Now, I do it whenever someone asks me.

Stop shaking your head.  I can hear you now.  “I’m not an extrovert like you.”

I may not be shy but I am a dyed-in-the-wool introvert.  I re-energize when I spend time alone, not when I’m in a group setting. But I did get over my fear of public speaking.  Children’s writers especially make a very kind, gentle audience.  Now I actually wander around the stage area and only get spooked

when I kick my water over.  But that comfort level was a long time in coming.

Does this mean I don’t push myself anymore?  I wish!  Last summer I discovered that getting up in front of the church to read something someone else had prepared scared me silly.  I haven’t figured out why, but I did figure out what to do about it.  I joined the church choir.

Last Sunday was the first time I didn’t have a panic attack in the parlor as we prepared for the introit.  Not one single person commented on my pasty color.

If I can get over it, so can you.

–SueBE