Wednesday, September 3, 2014

September 2014 ISWG

Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

 Wow. I woke up this morning and realized it was the first Wednesday of the month. How did that happen so fast?

This is going to be a crazy month for me. A lot of commitments are coming due, and the most stressful comes in a couple of weeks. I've been invited to be the keynote speaker at a writing retreat. After I found out I was supposed to speak for 45 minutes rather than 15, I picked myself up off the floor and decided on a topic.

Then, last night, I found out a prominent author (and editor) is going to be attending the retreat.

Total freak out!
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42 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 3, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    You can do it! You'll knock everyone's socks off.

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  2. SuzanneSeptember 3, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    Sounds both exciting and scarey! Bet it'll be fab :) x

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  3. stuSeptember 3, 2014 at 5:52 AM

    I'm sure the retreat will be wonderful.

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    Replies
    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 3, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      I hope I can speak sooner than later. That way I can enjoy the rest of the retreat. lol

      Delete
  4. S.A. LarsenッSeptember 3, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    Best of luck with your speaking engagement! You'll rock it, I'm sure!!!

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    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 3, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      I'm going to pretend she's not there. And rolling her eyes at what I say. :/

      Delete
  5. Kimberlee TurleySeptember 3, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    I took an effective speaking course in college. Be prepared, practice what you prepared, and speak slower than you think is necessary. I'm sure you'll do great.

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    Replies
    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 3, 2014 at 7:40 AM

      I'm not normally that fussed about public speaking. What's killing me is (1) the length of time I'm supposed to speak; and (2) having someone there with so much more experience than I have.

      Delete
  6. Jennifer HawesSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    Wow, I would freak too. Just ask your audience lots of questions. Have some interaction time. I used to do that when I taught 5th grade to kill time or if the lesson was too short and I didn't have a back-up plan:) I'm sure you'll have a great time!

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    Replies
    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:50 AM

      Once I've finalized it, practice will help me know how much time I have.

      Delete
  7. Sarah FosterSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    I would totally freak out with something like that because I hate public speaking--but I find it's easier when you're talking about something that's important to you. Good luck!

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  8. CynthiaSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    That prominent author and editor you're referring to is probably feeling the same "total freak out" excitement that they'd be presenting with YOU. =)

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  9. Natalie AguirreSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    I'm sure you'll do great. And how awesome. I've got a really stressful month too. Being swim captain mom is busy!

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  10. ilimaSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    I'd be totally freaking out too, haha. You'll do great, though. Good luck!

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    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:52 AM

      I need to quit thinking about it, but I also need to finish my talk. Egad!

      Delete
  11. Pat HattSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    Sure you'll do great indeed. The 45 minutes will fly by.

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  12. David P. KingSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    Prominent author (and editor)? My networking senses are tingling. :)

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  13. MelissaSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:12 AM

    You'll do great. :)

    IWSG #179 until Alex culls the list again.

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  14. RosalynSeptember 3, 2014 at 1:59 PM

    I agree with the advice to ask questions. As a teacher, I regularly have to fill up that much time--and I find that if you can get a discussion going, people seem to be much more engaged.

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    Replies
    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:53 AM

      I will have some questions prepared in case I blow through my stuff too quickly.

      Delete
  15. Lucinda Whitney, AuthorSeptember 3, 2014 at 2:38 PM

    I've been dying to go to that retreat but without a laptop it would be pointless. I'm sure you'll do fine, Donna! GL!

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  16. shellySeptember 3, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Aw... You'll be okay.

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  17. JeffOSeptember 3, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    Forty-five minutes is a long time to talk! Just keep good notes, stay calm and speak s-l-o-o-o-o-w!

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    Replies
    1. Donna K. WeaverSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:54 AM

      Is that like reading the news r-e-a-l s-l-o-o-o-o-w? People might get up and leave. lol

      Delete
  18. Aldrea AlienSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    I'm not certain I could speak coherently for 15 minutes, let alone 45. You are braver than me.
    Good luck!

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    45 minutes? That's longer than Government keynote speeches.

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  20. farawayeyesSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:25 PM

    Wow, I'm impressed. I know you'll be great. What seems like a long time will end up going by so quickly, I'll bet near the end you'll be dropping things to wrap up on time.

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  21. Heidi L. MurphySeptember 4, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    You're going to ROCK this, my friend. You'll have fresh, wonderful information and you'll give it in a way that perks everyone right up. And that author? He or She will be on the edge of their seat (Don't you think we need a word for he/she and its possessive? Always thought it. Germans do.) and won't need the back of it at all...:o)

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  22. DEZMONDSeptember 6, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    You will do good :)
    I also wonder who let September come so fast???

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2014 at 3:47 AM

    You'll do great as a speaker. That's wonderful about the editor coming.

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