I wrote a new book over the weekend. (NO AI. I never use AI to write anything!) Three beta readers have it in hand, and two of them have already given it two thumbs up, so I asked their permission to use abbreviated versions of what they said in the front of it under Advance Praise. (The abbreviated versions in no way misrepresent their honest opinions of the book. The abbrevations are strictly matters of  length and clarity/conciseness. The originators approved them before they went into the front of the book.)

 

I went back and forth on the title, but think I’ve settled on STAGE COACH: My Prescription for Panicky Presenters. The other viable option was WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WORLD: A Prescription for Panicky Presenters.  The first one is very clear as to what the book is about; the second one is more obscure and could be misleading.

 

Although I certainly didn’t expect it of her (and said so!), Lisa is already working on a cover for it, so there’s a slight possibility I can get it published on Kindle before we leave for New Zealand.

 

Alas, there won’t be enough time to have a printed copy of it mailed here to take to Helen in NZ (she’s one of my beta readers). She says she wants a printed copy now that she has read it. But I can send one to her when I get back…

 

That makes two books in under three months for me.   See what happens when I don’t get hired to write or edit as often as I’d like? I hire myself and write another book!

 

This newest one arrived by Muse Saturday night

 

Creativity/inspiration is a mysterious, wondrous thing.  I was in bed when, out of the blue (or blackness of the night), I thought, “A book on public speaking for nervous public speakers! I can do that!  I’m an expert on how to talk myself down from ledges!”

 

As a former “white knuckle” public speaker who has learned to tame the beast of fear, I believed I could help others become less frantic presenters.  So, to say the book practically wrote itself isn’t giving my Muse (or myself) much credit, but that’s exactly what happens when I get an inspired “download.”  I just have to be a faithful scribe, go with the flow, and write it all down.

 

I did not outline, did not wrestle with the trajectory, I just sat down and started typing… and typing… and typing!  And there it was. Like a freaking miracle.

 

And then, to have my beta readers, all of them nervous presenters, thank me!!!

 

Well, it was more than I could even dream of!  They feel certain that what I shared in the book will help them!  That was certainly the goal, but I never know how well a goal will be met until readers confirm it for me.  And these beta readers blew me right out of the water. Holy smokes! 

 

God, I love to write. Especially when it truly helps someone.

 

There’s no other feeling like it in the world.

 

Thank you, Muse!

 

Thank you to all the teachers, writers, actors, friends, and others, living and dead, who encouraged me along this path.