My words betray me

[WordsWillCome]

I posted this thread because I was curious. I've always felt that I wrote better than I talked and I was wondering if other authors also experience this. I used to just have a general fear of talking in public. Now I realize I'm just disappointed that what comes out of my mouth isn't as good as what I pit down on paper. An I just weird and alone or have others experienced this?

[Pompey Bum]

I have no fear of public speaking and have brought down a house or two in my time. I am not an author, just a reader. Still, the trick to public speaking is to write out every little thing ahead of time--every flourish, every pause, every "spontaneous" Churchillian witticism--and to rehearse it over and over and over again until it no longer sounds like you're reading anything (and in fact, you're probably not). Sorry, but it's acting. Good luck!

[WordsWillCome]

I more so meant I hate speaking in everyday conversations because I can't rehearse them before hand like a speech.

[Pompey Bum]

Oh yes, that's harder. In that case I'd suggest the opposite. Be yourself and let the chips fall where they may. Of course, I have no friends. :)

[WordsWillCome]

I have one close girlfriend who I don't see often at all and my hudband. I have a few "friends" outside of that but mostly they're just to have fun with not share the secrets of my soul. I've only ever really had one or two friends at a time. I was never good at making friends but I seem to have completely lost the ability all together as I get older

[Pompey Bum]

I have one close girlfriend who I don't see often at all and my hudband. I have a few "friends" outside of that but mostly they're just to have fun with not share the secrets of my soul. I've only ever really had one or two friends at a time. I was never good at making friends but I seem to have completely lost the ability all together as I get older

Well it's none of my business, but I'm channeling Buddy who seems quite hurt by that. :)

[WordsWillCome]

Buddy just inserts himself wherever he likes, whenever he likes. That cat's not shy about anything

[Pompey Bum]

I had a greyhound like that once. He had that long, narrow, greyhound snout, and whenever I'd hug my wife, he'd get jealous (of her!) and try to wedge it between us. Dogs are funny.

[WordsWillCome]

My cat thinks he's a dog. Drinks out of the toilet, plays fetch and begs lol

[MANICHAEAN]

Ah, words mere words perchance to speak or write.

“Or are they not words at all, but chalices and Holy Grails, of human passion, full of the life-blood, staining the lips that approach them scarlet, of heart-drained pulse-wearied ravishment?”

Not me I might add, but John Cowper Powys, who had a way with them, either written or spoke.

If I might just add my six pence worth to the discussion, I am equally at home with either approach; but then having the loquaciousness of an Irish father and perhaps the more focused perspective of an English mother I inherited certain advantages.

Stating the obvious; speaking and writing are different, very much so.

Like Pompey I personally relish the chance to speak before an audience; but as he duly noted, much of it is rehearsed; sometimes in fact tricks or mannerisms acquired over many years. I certainly never go into any meeting unprepared, even though I will ad-lib in a most unconventional manner, away from the main theme whenever the opportunity arises.

For prepared talking and if you get the chance, view Churchill’s “Some chicken – some neck” speech to the US Congress during the war, a masterpiece of the set-piece. Likewise, the timing and theatricals of comedians like Tommy Cooper doing an after dinner speech at the Lord Mayors bash, or George Burns (sans Gracie) who was a master of delivery in his dotage.

Others are quite simply “naturals” Peter Ustinov for one, a born conversationalist, talented and witty. Even Muhammad Ali, irrepressible at his peak made it up a lot as he delivered his monologues.

Which brings us to writing. I read once somewhere, that writing comes out of a deep well of loneliness and a desire to fill some gap. No one in his right mind would sit down to write a book if he were a well-adjusted happy man. I happen to disagree with that view, but do acknowledge what Graham Greene once noted, that a writer has to conform to two conflicting requirements: he must be involved in his writing and detached from himself, an awkward manoeuvre under any circumstances! Your main problem will most likely be an almost panic-stricken search for your own voice the further you get into deeper, unchartered waters.

I trust this helps.
Best regards
M.

[ennison]

I like that quote from Greene. It's good. True too since it touches on the idea of how the creative writer is legion but has to allow the created characters their own voice.
In reference to the other idea at the start of the thread I would point out ( I'm nothing if not banally obvious often) that many of us are better at expressing ourselves in writing because writing gives our brains time to work. How often have we said to ourselves after a conversation "Oh I wish I'd said that!" but of course the time for the witty retort or rejoinder is gone. Still sharing the secrets of ones soul is a dodgy business. I find that ordinary conversation can be a satisfying form of "soul sharing" if done right.

[MANICHAEAN]

I wonder how much spontaneity the likes of Oscar Wilde had for the "bon mot", or was it all carefully crafted and tucked away waiting for the moment to deliver?

I came across a possible great one the other day.

Apparently on a visit to the US, Winston Churchill was once offered a cold chicken salad for lunch.

He requested "breast" and the hostess informed him that "In America Mr Churchill we either ask for white meat or dark meat."

The next day he ordered an exotic flower be sent to the lady with the message, "A small token of my appreciation for the meal. Please pin it on your white meat."

[MANICHAEAN]

Repeated by mistake.

[Pompey Bum]

The next day he ordered an exotic flower be sent to the lady with the message, "A small token of my appreciation for the meal. Please pin it on your white meat."

As always, I am rendered speechless by his sheer genius.

[miltonebx]

Supposedly the "secret" of not being shy to speak publicly is to go out on the stage, look at the audience, and make believe that everybody is nude. Maybe this will work one on one. But don't stare too long a time ----just quick enough to "undress" them.

[MANICHAEAN]

I'm so grateful for the advice miltonebx as I'm due to give a lecture at the Playboy Mansion in early April.

[Pompey Bum]

Supposedly the "secret" of not being shy to speak publicly is to go out on the stage, look at the audience, and make believe that everybody is nude. Maybe this will work one on one. But don't stare too long a time ----just quick enough to "undress" them.

Undress 'em quick and get right down to business has always been my secret, too.

[BartV90]

I'm definitely better at writing than at speaking. I consider myself a pretty good thinker, but not a quick one. I'm absolutely not comfortable with public speaking, but much of that comes from me knowing I can't make up anything on the spot, or at least not easily, if I get stuck during my speech. It has more to do with personal embarrassment than the reactions of other people, really.

Writing gives me time to think, and as long as I have time, there is no problem.