Getting Emotional When Writing/Reading

[JT Woody]

Many of you who came over in the Great Migration may know that I stutter (I've shared about it on the old site).
I'm going to my first conference next month for people who stutter. I plan to read a poem that i wrote when I was in 8th grade, which showed my negative and low self-esteem regarding my speech (i have many poems that i'd written growing up about it, but this one makes me cry every time....)

I really wany to share it as a "where i was" versus "where i am now" in regard to my speech. I have a poem that i'd written recently about accepting my speech.
But i know I will get emotional and cry when I read it....

It will also be the first time i'll be reading any of my written work in front of a large, live audience.

just looking for advice.

 

[DLC]

If it's in front of people like yourself, I'm sure they'll understand. One of my best friends growing up stuttered really badly, but over the years he got it under control to the point he rarely did. It's not an easy thing. You'll be fine.

 

[buttercream]

Let yourself feel. Your emotions will add more meaning to your poems and the story they tell. To repeat what's already been said, I can't imagine anyone there judging you for it. It'll be okay.

Make sure to have water and tissues on hand!

 

[CatrionaGrace]

Congratulations on reading in front of a large audience for the first time.

When I'm tired or distressed, I stammer, sometimes badly. Reading aloud is similar to singing. As long as I'm paying attention to the rhythm and lilt of the words and phrases, I can read with little or no stuttering. I also have to be careful to not allow my thoughts to wander while my mouth goes on autopilot.

Crying and emotion are usually okay as long as they don't render the reading unintelligible. Repeatedly reading difficult pieces aloud helps wear out unwanted involuntary emotional responses so that one controls the poem and not the other way around. It might take a person three readings to gain control. It might take twelve or twenty. Reading aloud effectively requires practice like any other skill. It is theater.

Hope something in all those words helps.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Reading before a live audience is not something I'd relish and I can absolutely empathise with your anxiety.

There are a few things worth remembering: there are reasons you're attending the conference, reasons you want to share your writing and reasons you know it will connect with the audience. None of those reasons involve torturing yourself (unless they do, in which case there's probably a help line you should check out). Audience members will hold much of the same attitude and connection as you will towards anyone else speaking before it. If there's any group capable of understanding nervousness about public speaking, it is one comprised of people who stutter, so they will be supportive.

Last thing I'd mention, whatever way it goes and however it pans out, there is zero chance of negative outcomes, as you probably know already, it's just getting through the doing it before you can reflect on how well it went from the other side.

 

[writersaurus]

Many of you who came over in the Great Migration may know that I stutter (I've shared about it on the old site).
I'm going to my first conference next month for people who stutter. I plan to read a poem that i wrote when I was in 8th grade, which showed my negative and low self-esteem regarding my speech (i have many poems that i'd written growing up about it, but this one makes me cry every time....)

I really wany to share it as a "where i was" versus "where i am now" in regard to my speech. I have a poem that i'd written recently about accepting my speech.
But i know I will get emotional and cry when I read it....

It will also be the first time i'll be reading any of my written work in front of a large, live audience.

just looking for advice.

Try not to be so hard on yourself. Don't worry about being 'perfect', just be yourself and let it come from the heart rather than the head. I don't know if that makes sense. I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[Louanne Learning]

I'm not sure if this will be helpful, but I'll share a bit of my experience as a teacher. Teachers become very good at speaking in front of crowds. It's because you learn to see yourself as a conduit of the message rather than the focus of the attention. The message is the focus. Concentrate on the words as you say them, and your desire to have them understood. I hope this helps.

 

[GlitterRain]

I’m very shy in person and constantly feel like no one “cares” what I have to say. If I have to do something in regards to speaking up, I just keep in mind that whatever it is, if I don’t just be brave and say it, it will not get out there and I won’t benefit from whatever it is that I need/want from saying it, or I won’t help whoever I want to help or whatever from saying it.

So what do you “want” from reading this poem out loud? Answer that, and let that be your driver, the thing that makes you get up there and share your poem with others.

Hopefully this helps. I wish you good luck!