First public reading... help?!

Lem, the 10 minutes will fly past. It'll take two minutes to introduce yourself, so that only leaves eight. I would focus on just one poem, maybe two. The audience will be sysmpathetic, so don't worry about them at all. Just talk to them as if you're chatting to your mates. One word of advice; don't go too fast. The temptation may be to speed up, and if you catch yourself doing it, slow down. Read a line or two, look up, pause, catch someone's eye, read another few lines. I don't mean to break the poem up, just read it slowly and connect with the audience. A glass of wine might help as well. Hope that helps.

And be confident, don't apologise for anything. Your writing is good. Look at your audience, engage with them and above all enjoy it.

And be confident, don't apologise for anything. Your writing is good. Look at your audience, engage with them and above all enjoy it.

And remember, nobody can read your work like you. Only you know what inflections should go where, which words to emphasise and where the pauses should go.

Good advice above. Just to reiterate and expand: New readers (and some experienced ones) often go too fast. Read in a measured way, depending on the rhythm of the piece, which may vary. This doesn't have to be slow, as long as it's clear. Practice reading the pieces aloud beforehand, get a feel for the spoken metre. This can also give you an idea of which poems may work better in performance, and also of timimgs, always remembering, as said above, that at least 2 of your 10 minutes will consist of introduction. New readers also often apologise for their work. Never do this. This is poetry that you think is worth presenting. Others may disagree, fine, but that's not something to apologise for. A few words of introduction for a piece are fine, setting it in context. However I would avoid lengthy preambles unless absolutely necessary, or as part of a routine you've developed. Unless you are on first you may want to judge whether it's the kind of event where the audience applaud between poems, or only at the end of the set. If it's the former, then a brief 'thank you' at the end of a piece indicates to the audience that the poem as finished, and gives them permission to clap. Most importantly, as mentioned above, have fun :o)

new Lem Hi! wow! first what an achievement aye! Well I remember when I first asked to read, way back,suddenly up came from Editor t.cook (Tony) put my name,couldn't believe it. He met us in 'The Wheatsheaf' London came over, asked how felt,kindly take a breath before I call your name,I did,time limit after one,so read two not too long,helped up on stage! Friend once told me when we tried on pier,duet karaoke hard,think people row of cabbages! Lights dimmed helped. Just be clear focus on reading,smile if needed,or how you feel,could use pitch of voice,like scary! just read as takes you,if from a sheet hold your head up,if audience applaud thanks. Just say one more read title. Just be yourself. Your wish at end could read again. People may ask Q after be prepared like etc; I go along with most been said. If microphone could say can you hear me 1,2,3 start. Wish you all the luck in the world. Do tell us how you get on. Just read 'Snowy Day' like very much this time of year now? Well deserved cherries! Also just read,lovely poem,your's 'December Days could read as well shorter one! Your decision. julie x

Good luck. All good advice above. Maybe tend towards less wordy / deep and try short to medium length initially. Do the ones you enjoy reading. Don't rush. I get ticked off for wandering away from the mic all the time :-)

Just to add to Julie's thoughtful post, if you need to be seated for whatever reason and the mic changed in height, don't be afraid to ask. Hope all goes well xx

I read at the Wheatsheaf like Julie and I was terrified. It went okay but in hindsight I wish I'd practised more beforehand as I felt I was looking at my paper more than at the audience. But everyone was so nice I really enjoyed it.

new alex_tomlin Hi! thanks for that comment. Made me grab AbcTales.magazine 23 re-read yours,about P.P.P Penguin, 'BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET THE WRAPPERS OFF' Making me laugh. As have the nylon furry coat,daughter passed on,from her friend,yes you guessed right, Penguin all over,so tried P-P-P- Pick Up-A-Penguin' poem all on, Editor helped me,t.cook re-arrange, I was pleased, think got cherry! Really belonged to (Tony) Yes,we must try get to next 'Wheatsheaf' London dont' travel on my own that far yet! Ray wouldn't go. Hope your all well. Ah! Harrogate when young took two of my brother's to visit aunt,visited Harrogate gardens and blossoms great,also viking museumn think spelt wrong. Got off coach spend 1p rushed down steps why men? Coming up and voices omg in mens and not the ladies. Uncle then his car collected us,both not alive now. Get stuck on Ilkley spelt wrong Moors chucks it down,don't wait,run fast as one can they said,.goes on forever. Out all jackets accumalated now,all like Penguins on,shout oh! no dogs cats,Penguins? some laugh. Have you seen a onsie cosy penguin suit? No not yet. Some say stand and look in glass and read helps how vane! Weather very very cold. all the best been going,'Singing For Pleasure' Musical Conductor 'Simon Gray' gt takes all,4th venue set up. Since February. No song sheets good,words and plays and teaches all,plays coaches teaches all kind of songs. 'The Sound Of Music next week,got ticket 'Simon is conducting,18 piece orchestra Wow! Then December 16th Musical Spectacular for the martlets 'Simon Gray' for all, and The sing along singing for pleasure,we all go too,be in,all happy songs. Last year only went watch,no Ray. This year one of the voices choir.wow! 90 other week 400 audience we all had to wear black and white,daughter friend and Rays x work pal went, and Ray! all came different time,sat separate till interval. Blasted bus half hour late,luckily warm up not started. Great fun. Now could be 900 whoops feel ill. lovely songs words. Well Ray is snooker captain,and bowls player,so just do my own thing. Not done much on AbcTales yet. Take care photos good of you,bit red cheeks must be reading ah! Think 18c hear brrrr! Next time read,Ray had gone! got wrong drink! didn't have so had Lemonade shandy beer,drank it down strong,I wandered down,Saw Editor (Tony) said "Rays" gone god knows what else,don't worry Editor t.cook (Tony) said" he will back,time read bit whoopsy? Ray came back,been along road Burgher,not what I said,had my train pass,and bus pass,me not knowing way gone! unconsiderate, Lemonade shandy too strong? julie x ps thought I was wrong,checked now 7 degrees c freezing,say red blood sky! ooh! Oh! no, now it's as paper stated yesterday, 6 degrees I'm going under the cover soon,like my favourite neighbour's act loves come and curl up,nose cover Ray's warm jumper and little extras laid on bed for 'Jazz'. Black cat.

new Thanks Lenchenelf comment hear,sometimes don't know what say,ramble on,but if helps someone something. It seem x factor and stars sing, seem to have the mic so close,like there eating mic. Some do come up in singing,put mic nearer you gee when one is scared. take care julie x

Didn't actually mean to post anything. Can one delete posts? Anyroad, good luck :o)

Hi Julie, Harrogate, good thanks. I love the story of you ending up in the mens loo!

Take a breath and count to ten Definately DONT think of things that you would rather be doing as your mind will be in a world of its own. Good Luck!! Georgina

Len xx you did it !! Dx

Lem Lem Lem xx (one o these funny, touch phones, sorry)