Friday, April 15, 2011

Man, Did I Suck

We have some really amazing independent bookstores in Salt Lake City, one of which is The King's English. I know that throughout the country independent bookstores are struggling, but my sense of it is that the SLC area stores are doing okay. I hope so. I'm an equal-opportunity book buyer. I buy books everywhere.

The King's English (TKE) is really terrific to local authors. I had my big FRUIT OF ALL EVIL kick-off event at TKE, and the booksellers were (still are) wonderful.

Here's the thing, though: *I* wasn't amazing. At all. In fact, I kind of sucked. As I looked out at the good-sized crowd who'd come to the signing, I got unbelieveably nervous. That has never happened to me before. I'm not shy. When I was younger, I was kind of a ham. I really don't have much difficulty talking to groups. I used to lead large meetings, and I was always able to make people laugh and relax. I've never been so overcome by nervousness than I was that night. I tried to tell myself to relax and slow down, but I know I didn't. As I read from the book, the only thing I could think about was the sheen of sweat that was building on my face - yes, on my face. How horrifying.

Anyway, I made it through and vowed to be better if I ever did anything like it again.

I've been to a few signings but really not many, and only one of the authors spoke before they signed. She was brief - spectacular, but brief. After my signing, I told myself I would go to every signing in town just so I could learn how to be better. At the time I made this deal with myself, I had no idea Rita Mae Brown would be visiting SLC, but I was thrilled when I found out. She was here Tuesday night.

Together, Ms. Brown and her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown, write mysteries. Cats and mysteries go together like - well, it might be better to say that peanut butter and jelly go together like cats and mysteries. There's a big market for these types of books. I haven't read everything she's written, but I'm definitely a fan of Ms. Brown's. I went to her signing just to see and meet her. I didn't care if I learned anything.

And, I learned more from Rita Mae Brown than I have from any author. She was stunning - intelligent, funny, irreverent, confident, kind, and so happy to be there. She talked politics, history and animals for almost an hour. She is passionate (in a friendly, connecting way) about every word that comes out of her mouth, even if some of those words don't have anything to do with her books. I simply loved her. I'd like to be just like her when I grow up. Hopefully, I'll do a better job the next time around. If I do, most of the credit will go to Ms. Brown. Thank you.

Books:
After mentioning Casey Daniels last week, I dove into her newest, A HARD DAY'S FRIGHT. Loved it. She's "got" me, though. Somewhere along the way, she hooked me and I'm not letting go. The ending literally put me in a panic (yes, I take these things seriously) but it all worked out. Can't wait for the next one.

Also, after last week, I finally read a book I've had for a couple months. Heather Webber commented on the blog last week; this reminded me that I hadn't yet read her February release, ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY. I have no idea why it took so long for me to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books of the series. And, I loved this one too. Heather is really gifted at creating characters. She'll be debuting a new series in January. She'll be Heather Blake for that one. I have been fortunate to get to "know" Heather, but cross my heart, I wouldn't mention her books if I didn't think they were terrific.

Hope you have a great week.

Paige

13 comments:

  1. Paige, you don't suck! I think it is perfectly natural for you to get sweat on your face and be nervous. I bet if you asked other authors, they would tell you that they had simular experiences ! You Rock ! ( and I am not just saying that )Thanks for the book recomendations!

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  2. Trust me, it wasn't good. But that's okay - always room for improvement. And, you rock too, Astrid! Hope you're feeling better.
    Paige

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  3. Sounds a little offbeat, I realize, but often the seating arrangement can set up a royal case of nerves. Personally I can't stand rows of stoic or grinning faces focused on The Author and The Table of Books. Gentler, more conversational settings can make a huge difference -- along with an extremely comfortable chair for the reader/speaker. I'm 5' tall! My feet dangle and I can barely see over the table to find the admiring throngs.

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  4. Good point, Molly. I'm tall, but I stood at a podium. Sitting on a chair and in a "group" might work better. Thanks!
    Paige

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  5. I was there and you were wonderful. I think it's great that you want to attend more book signings and see how others do their thing, but remember... it is "their" thing, Try some different set ups and then use the one that works best for you.

    Your reading was wonderful. It really, really was. =)

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  6. Sabrina - You're too kind, but thank you. I hope to be better next time. And yes, finding your own comfort zone and style is most of the battle. Hopefully, I'll get there . . . someday.

    Have a great weekend!
    Paige

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  7. Paige I totally feel your pain. I always get nervous before I speak in public. But I usually manage to get through it okay. But last Saturday at a CTRWA meeting, my voice shook so badly I wanted to dart out of the room. It had never done that before and I had no idea how to stop it. To make it worse, in the middle I announced to the audience, "Sorry, I'm really nervous." Major speaker no-no. Hopefully, I'll be better next time. :)
    Hugs,
    Kourtney

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  8. Kourtney - that nervousness comes out of the blue, huh? I feel your pain. The good news is - I think - the more we do stuff like that, the less nervous we'll be. They were minor speed bumps on the way to smooth sailing.
    Hugs back at you -
    Paige

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  9. A Hard Day's Fright? Must see this one.

    And as for what happened to you, it's called "stage fright." I know lots of tricks to get over that. (I've been on stage in front of everywhere between 6 people and 17,000 people at a time, so I've had lots of experience.)

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  10. English Teacher - yes, the book begins with a Beatles concert. And, Paul gets kissed. Very fun.

    We'll definitely have to get together - I'd love your advice regarding stage fright. Ugh. Don't want to go through that again.

    Thanks!
    Paige

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  11. As a coach of the academic team, with kids who deal with nerves in many different ways and must play under very high stress situations, I have LOTS of tricks in my silk hat. Yeah, we need to get together.
    PS, Have you talked to Richard Frost at Frost's Books? He doesn't like readings and/or signings, but he might like you to autograph a couple of copies of books and he'll certainly sell yours if he knows you're local.

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  12. I have talked to Richard - terrific guy. Frost's is very close. He does sell my books and is very open to local authors. We really do have some wonderful Indies.

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