Public Speaking & the 'Videostore Complex'
Today was the day; my speech to 30+ English Teachers... I mean, Librarians at Penrhos College. Hol-e-shit.
I was chilled out for almost the whole day, despite my fear of public speaking. I had a thousand-and-one things that I would talk about at this shindig. Hell, I was so damn confident about the whole thing; not a single paranoid thought crept into my head.
So Gaby & I rock up at Penrhos early (go team!), and I lug a huge box of trades and graphic novels to the function room. We place the books out onto the table for all these people to take a look through before the 'conference', and Gaby & I talk to a few of the attendees. Is that the right word? Well it is now!
We all sat down and listened to Grant Stone talking about what exactly comics are all about today (while going through his collection of favourites), and then Shaun Tan gave us a look at his up-and-coming graphic novel ('The Arrival', coming out around October this year - do yourself a favour and check it out as soon as it's released). Both were very interesting and informative, and it was getting close to five (when everything was supposed to wrap up). I seriously didn't think they'd have time to allow me to speak.
No such luck. For me AND the people having to listen to my crap. :P
It wouldn't have been so bad if I had walked up the front, retaining some degree of confidence. After all, I had plenty of topics prepped for myself to talk on. But then of course the 'Videostore Complex' hit me, and I was left completely speechless and nervous as hell. I managed to somehow get through talking about what books libraries commonly buy and stock, the ratings that accompany most books, and briefly touched on the cultural differences between Western & Japanese comics. But I doubt much of what I said made sense, and my voice sounded like I was about to break down and cry...
(Gaby told me afterwards that she could see me shaking, and she was sitting at the back!) :(
Anyways, I did it. It's done. And I got to meet one awesome illustrator and an educated collector. AND I got a large box of chocolates from the event organizers for my efforts. One thing's certain; I'm happy that my one addiction is also a universal gift of appreciation.
I was chilled out for almost the whole day, despite my fear of public speaking. I had a thousand-and-one things that I would talk about at this shindig. Hell, I was so damn confident about the whole thing; not a single paranoid thought crept into my head.
So Gaby & I rock up at Penrhos early (go team!), and I lug a huge box of trades and graphic novels to the function room. We place the books out onto the table for all these people to take a look through before the 'conference', and Gaby & I talk to a few of the attendees. Is that the right word? Well it is now!
We all sat down and listened to Grant Stone talking about what exactly comics are all about today (while going through his collection of favourites), and then Shaun Tan gave us a look at his up-and-coming graphic novel ('The Arrival', coming out around October this year - do yourself a favour and check it out as soon as it's released). Both were very interesting and informative, and it was getting close to five (when everything was supposed to wrap up). I seriously didn't think they'd have time to allow me to speak.
No such luck. For me AND the people having to listen to my crap. :P
It wouldn't have been so bad if I had walked up the front, retaining some degree of confidence. After all, I had plenty of topics prepped for myself to talk on. But then of course the 'Videostore Complex' hit me, and I was left completely speechless and nervous as hell. I managed to somehow get through talking about what books libraries commonly buy and stock, the ratings that accompany most books, and briefly touched on the cultural differences between Western & Japanese comics. But I doubt much of what I said made sense, and my voice sounded like I was about to break down and cry...
(Gaby told me afterwards that she could see me shaking, and she was sitting at the back!) :(
Anyways, I did it. It's done. And I got to meet one awesome illustrator and an educated collector. AND I got a large box of chocolates from the event organizers for my efforts. One thing's certain; I'm happy that my one addiction is also a universal gift of appreciation.