Sunday, 22 July 2018

Festival time

Every town in the land seems to be having a festival these days, and dear old Kettering is no exception. This year's KettFest was blessed with glorious weather (obviously), but could have done with a bit more publicity, and sooner. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.

I played my part. I hosted a creative writing event in the town library at which people were invited to drop in and create a character based on the prompts I had provided. This was great fun and there were some lovely - and surprising - words written. Then I dashed around the corner to take part in a spoken word event, where I read out a story from Nine Lives and a short piece from Stripped-back Yoga. There were people taking part not just from the town, but also further afield, and organiser Kezzabelle (who took this pic of me) did a great job of coordinating it all.

My turn went down well, but I could definitely do with a bit more practice with a mic. Part of the  problem was that there was no monitor, so I couldn't hear myself through the PA, but the bigger problem was that I found it hard to stay close enough to the stand.

Anyone got any tips for me?
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8 comments:

  1. Priscilla Bettis22 July 2018 at 19:46

    It's hard to read from a book at a standing microphone because you have to hold the book open with two hands yet stay out of the way of the stand! (It's easier with a podium.) I know you said you had a little trouble, but I'm sure you did fine.

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    1. Julia Thorley23 July 2018 at 12:14

      Well, people laughed in the right places, so it can't have been that bad, but I'm sure I could do better. I shall just have to perform more often!

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  2. Calensariel22 July 2018 at 23:05

    That sounds like all kinds of fun! The more eposure you get, the better. You'll get the hang of it.

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    1. Julia Thorley23 July 2018 at 12:15

      I'm sure you're right. The more I do it, the better I'll get.

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  3. Sally Jenkins23 July 2018 at 16:13

    I find working with a microphone difficult, especially when it's on stand because any move of the head and your voice drifts away. I find it easier to hold the mic so that I can move it with my head - but difficult to hold a book and a mic. If the reading fits on one A4 page you can hold that and the mic. Clip on mics are best but better still is a small inside venue where you don't need a mic!

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    1. Julia Thorley24 July 2018 at 10:22

      Yes, I was drifting. Perhaps I should learn my stories off by heart!

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  4. Author R. Mac Wheeler23 July 2018 at 20:53

    I remember how freaky it was the first time I used a sound system...hearing my voice a second time in delay. Really did a job on my focus.

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    1. Julia Thorley25 July 2018 at 17:14

      It's weird, isn't it? I used to record a piece every week for a friend's internet radio show and every time I'd say, 'Is that really how I sound?'

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