In the Spotlight
Can you say, stage fright? I'm a little out of MY comfort zone.
I so admire people that love being on stage. People like Ryan Gosling who seem to be nourished by and actually get stronger when they’re on stage.
Not me.
And yet, I seem to always get involved in artistic works that require me to be in front of an audience. If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you know I’m a pianist—a pretty good one by some accounts—when I’m in my living room and no one but my husband is listening. Yes I’ve hosted plenty of recitals for my students. Yes I’ve performed for audiences up to 100 people.
And I have stage fright.
My husband is my best friend, psychologist, advisor, and my voice of reason. He’s been asking me for ages, “Why do you put yourself through this?”
Sometimes I wonder too. But my answer is always the same. You know that old cliche (one I didn’t use in my post last week!) What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’ve always thought that in doing the thing that scares me most, it will get easier. The truth is, I want to be comfortable on stage. And . . . As a teacher and someone my students and their parents look up to, it’s so important to put on a brave face and get out there and do it. Heart palpitations, shaking fingers and all. Just breathe.
And that is why I write. There is no stage. I don’t have to perform for an audience. Interviews and conference panels aside. I can work at my desk in the comfort of my office. Only the bunnies and finches outside my window are watching.
This week has been a spotlight week. With the launch of the final book in a series I write under a pseudonym, I’ve done five interviews! And by writing a book with open-door bedroom scenes, I opened the door to a discussion that, um . . . you guessed it . . .gives me stage fright.
Oh— we haven’t talked about that in any interview. Not yet, anyway. Because there is so much more to discuss about these books. It’s Romantic Suspense. That means there’s a mystery! A crime to solve. My characters have action scenes, they work with the police and sometimes take matters into their own hands. They travel to Acapulco, Wollongong, Croatia, and Greece. I had so much fun researching these books, and I have stories to share.
And each time I do an interview, I manage the stress and anticipation of getting on stage a little better. Breathe, I tell myself. Sometimes I do meditative yoga, and other times I go for a vigorous walk or bicycle ride. And then I sit back and have a great time. After all, a good interview is like having coffee with a long-time friend.
I’ll share more videos over the weekend! Please stop by and join the fun. For now, I’m off to do another interview with John DeDakis.
You were fabulous! But I totally understand -- when I'm the subject of the interview versus the interviewee I am much more nervous.
More power to you, Karissa, for being able to write those spicy scenes! The interview was fun, and you didn't appear to have stage fright. Best wishes on Cliff Diver.