fuonlyknew

MY REVIEW

Kit is one of the Little Folk, tiny people who live in the forest. One day a fox attacks their home, Chestnut Hollow, and runs off with the tribes sacred crystal. The crystal provides bountiful harvests. Can a tiny boy go up against such a large adversary and retrieve the crystal? I couldn’t wait to find out.

This was a tale of bravery. Of ignoring your fear and persevering. It was also a grand adventure. And the beautiful illustrations added to my enjoyment. I’m sure young ones will be as enchanted as I was.

5 STARS

Public Speaking for the Introvert

Have you ever acted? Felt the hot light, cold sweat, heard the creak of an ancient stage under your hesitant foot, and the cough of the guy in the audience who’s already bored? You’re ready to break. Ready to run, ready to melt into a puddle of embarrassment right there in front of everybody. But instead, you speak. Yet you’re not you. You’re somebody else. With a giddy tremor, you suddenly relax as your character takes possession and the performance begins.

Writing fiction is a lot like that. As you develop your character, you find her voice. And with that voice you can do or say anything. You ease back from the computer and look at what you’ve written so far. Is it shocking? Tantalizing? Thrilling? Wonderful? How liberating, knowing her actions in no way reflect on you. You’re just the author, not the character.  It’s almost as delicious a feeling as pretending was when you were a child.

But again, that’s writing fiction. It’s an entirely different affair to write as oneself: to find your author’s voice.

“Well,” one shrugs, “not to worry. I’m not writing a chronicle or memoir”.  But what about your book’s forward? Afterward? Interviews? Guest posts? Ah, now the cold stone of fear settles in your stomach.

Remember those comparison questions from school: orange is to hobbits as dog food grease is to what?  Didn’t you hate those?  I loved them and offer this one: writing fiction is to acting as writing nonfiction is to public speaking.  And according to a source I didn’t fact check, 75% of people are terrified of addressing the public.

So, what’s a diffident author to do when the mic is leveled in her face?  Panic a little, then— like Kit in My Way Home— think.

Think of all the books, shows, blogs, and podcasts I read/watch/listen to. Am I not nearly as interested in the presenters as I am the material? Are their personal experiences enlightening and even helpful?

Perhaps relating my own tentative steps out of the comfort zone will encourage others grappling with their own discomfort.

If I’ve learned anything from stepping into Kit’s tiny moccasins, it’s just stop, assess, and take head-on the challenge before me.

I hope that Kit’s adventure will delight and encourage all of you, too.