The fear of public speaking has long been regarded as a formidable monster, a ghastly zombie that refuses to die. It creeps in the shadows of our minds, trailing behind us as we approach the stage, haunting our thoughts the night before and feasting on our anxieties. Like a relentless ghoul, it claws at our […]
Fear vs. Fear: Putting the Fear of Public Speaking in Perspective Read More »
Of all the things that can make us break out in a cold sweat, public speaking has got to be one of the worst. The mere thought of standing in front of a room full of people, baring your soul and hoping they don’t throw tomatoes at you can be enough to make even the
Jelly Legs, Shaky Voice: Public Speaking for the Trembling Masses Read More »
Are you ready to become a public-speaking superhero? Or a Krazed Jester? Look no further than Toastmasters, where toasty tongue twisters and wacky wordplay are the secret weapons to mastering the art of public speaking. Let’s be honest; public speaking can be terrifying. The thought of standing in front of a crowd and delivering a
“Always mystify, torture, mislead, and surprise the audience as much as possible.” — Don Roff, writer and filmmaker. Standing at the podium, I raced with thoughts of Winston Churchill’s infamous words: “Take away this pudding; it has no theme!” I had just concluded a rambling and disorganized speech, leaving the audience befuddled, disinterested and less
“Puddinggate: When Themeless Speeches Let You Down Read More »
“Humility will open doors more than arrogance ever will,” — Zig Ziglar. The underlying fear of public speaking is a judgment or negative evaluation by others, but with preparation and persistence, you overcome it. Here is what we can do to get you started and beyond your fear. Know your topic The better you know
When Your Heart Skips a Beat: Overcoming Fear in the Spotlight Read More »
In March 2020, Beth Blum published The self-help Compulsion: Searching for advice in modern literature. The Harvard Assistant Professor of English studied how readers have engaged with books as guides for becoming better people. What caught my eye was Blum’s suggestion that perhaps we are missing out on literary classics like storytelling and fiction as
How Low can FlufferNutters go When Telling a Story? Read More »
Every writer knows the advice: Show, don’t tell. It’s a mantra often passed around like a well-worn hand-me-down. But what does it mean, and why is it beneficial in crafting an engaging, immersive story? It boils down to one simple principle: making the reader feel, see, and experience the world through the characters and their
Show, Don’t Tell in Novel Writing Read More »
What I learned as a non-fiction author My significant other was happy that I didn’t have a heart attack. I did, however, sit too long, drink too much coffee, and miss meals. I realized this after publishing my first book, Stop the Denial: A Case for Embracing the Truth about Fitness, in 2017. I even
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer wrote a particular phrase in his 1976 book Your Erroneous Zones, like this: “Entertain yourself with a fantasy in which you allow yourself to have anything you want. No holds barred. You have enough money to do what you want. You’ll find that almost all your mental meanderings are attainable. You
What Public Speaking Would Be Like If Erroneous Zones Didn’t Exist Read More »
In June 2013, I spoke for eleven painstaking minutes to more than 106 Quebec Community Newspapers Association attendees. It was my first formal speech as the newly hired executive director. After, I was surprised to learn that my employer was secretly evaluating my speech. He described my speech as light-hearted, good-natured, engaging, and at times,
Drop the G and count to Tree Read More »
