Introduction
Many writers are introverted, yet they become excellent presenters. They have picked up tips and tricks for getting ready for
the presentation that typically unnerved them. They have shared their preparation
techniques with me and I will continue to develop this section as presenters add their
contributions. Presenters are encouraged to email me with their own useful tips and
tricks. People responsible for bringing in readers will be interested in reading this
section to help make the presenter more comfortable and relaxed for the best reading
possible.
Food and Drink
Most readers do not take in a heavy meal before their reading. They are all concerned
with the discomfort and repercussions of indigestion and from having a dry throat. They
will not drink alcoholic beverages before a reading, even if they feel it would relax
them. Alcohol dries the throat. In addition, they all prefer to be clear headed. In the
dusty journals of elocution era, I've read a drink of water with a twist of lemon clears
the mucous lining of the throat. For that reason, also, drinks with dairy products should
be avoided. Some readers prepare by sucking a lozenge which they tuck to the back of their
mouth when they read. They say this helps to keep their throat lubricated. (However, I
have concerns about the lozenge inadvertently getting caught in the windpipe.)
Avoid caffeine, sugar, chocolate and dairy products. These items can
make you thirsty and parched or create mucus.
Drink plenty of water.
Make sure it's room temperature or warm -- not ice-cold. Consider
adding a wedge of lemon -- it can cut the phlegm, but may be too
acidic for some stomachs.
Stop smoking and avoid alcoholic drinks.
Both of these vices are hard on the throat.
Bite the tip of your tongue.
Don't bite so hard that it draws blood, just enough to create saliva.
Relaxation Techniques
Readers prefer a least a half-hour of quiet before their
presentation. It is not uncommon for them to move to a table where they
can sit alone at the back of a room. They need this time to collect
their thoughts, arrange their notes, and simply to be able to spend time
concentrating on the upcoming reading. Some say that compressing the
thumb of one hand with the index and thumb of their other hand and
repeating the procedure with the other hand is a technique of relaxing
without being noticeable.
Vocal warm-ups
are
effective. Some upbeat humming on the way to your presentation
of before picking up the phone to make a call can help.
Clothing
Watch what you wear. Your clothing should be loose around the waist
to help you breathe better and around the neck so it doesn't choke you.
Vaseline on your teeth
helps your upper lip slide over the teeth and create saliva.
Posture
Many speakers perform neck stretches to relax their shoulders and
neck just prior to their performance.
Sit up straight!
Good posture while speaking helps your voice stay healthy.
Reading Pacing
It is okay to read slowly. Author, Robert Sward, shared with me the point that his
experience reading with a sign-language interpreter was extremely useful as it taught him
the importance of slowing down and pacing himself. A conscientious reader
maintains a reading copy of their book which becomes invaluable to them for it becomes
filled with notes that they make to themselves about reading issues. So important in fact,
that there is concern over misplacing or losing this copy. They will
mark it with their return
address. If you ever find one, look for this address and return it. You will
find a most appreciative writer and most likely get a number of new copies of their book
with one especially inscribed for you and your thoughtfulness.
Some have designed symbols for timing — where they prefer to take a breath (breathing
mark) or where they would like a long pause. Silence is like white space on the page, a
musician's holding of a note. Used well, it is effective to build and sustain
the audience's attention. Done poorly, it confuses the listener.
What is read is typically not verbatim on the written page. Writers believe strongly in
the editing process and are always willing to modify their writing for oral presentation.
They enjoy a reading practice to review the transition from writing to reading and also
are sensitive to the import of reading to hear and catch writing glitches that they would
otherwise gloss over.
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