Friday, October 12, 2012

Writing vs. Speaking

I have to give a speech tomorrow. 

My husband volunteers at an organization that raises funds for the hospital's NICU where my first son was born. Tomorrow night they are having their big annual gala downtown, where my son becomes the preemie poster child for the night. This requires a speech from his mom - aka me - sharing our NICU story. 

I'm a writer, not a speaker. I'm not necessarily nervous about speaking.... on a stage.... in front of 250+ people.... okay that part is nerve racking enough. But I'm not an off the cuff speaker...AT ALL. I can't stand up there and rattle off an emotional retelling of our story. I'd sound like an idiot. I absolutely must write and prepare my speech until I have it memorized word by word. There is something about writing the words down that make them flow so much easier for me.

What about you? Can you speak spontaneously as well as you can write? And if so, would you like to give a speech for me tomorrow night? Kidding. Kind of. 

20 comments:

  1. You can do it! Just plan and prepare.
    And if I have to speak in front of others, I write out what I'm going to say as well. I won't say it verbatim, but it will be close.

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  2. You can do it. I am NOT a speaker but spent 22 years in a career that required honing my public speaking skills. I still lead occasional team and leadership workshops using the MBTI and even though I know the material like the back of my sweaty 'lil palm, I'm still a mess. I tell myself, every time, "never let them see you sweat". It actually helps! Let us know how it goes.

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  3. Augh! I absolutely despise talking to audiences. It makes me loose my breath and, quite frankly, a few beats of my heart. But, sooner or later you have to do it. There's no way around it. Either for a class, or a big event like you, and I always write what I want to say. I practice and practice until I know by heart my lines, then I go, stand in front of all those people, and say it completely different. This is not off-the-coff per se, I do need to settle my ideas in writing, but speaking I always let my mind free and often end up saying the same but much differently.

    I wish you the best of luck! Though I can see you'll rock. ;)

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  4. I'm not a great public speaker. I wouldn't depend on memorizing the speech cause I feel like I'd forget something. So I'd have some notes to help. Otherwise I'd definitely forget stuff.

    But with this, you lived the experience, you know exactly what happened... And you'll do just fine!

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  5. You can do it, Kimberly. As a NICU survivor, I think its important to speak about all of that. :-) I sometimes want to blog about my journey to today but I feel like people wouldn't care/find it boring. *shrug*

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  6. I'm actually pretty good at impromptu speaking. Really good. Better than I have a right to be.

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  7. This is a fun topic for me. I'm actually a speech coach at my local high school. This will be my thirteenth year doing it, and I competed in speech for six years before that. And yeah, I would absolutely have to write it out ahead of time. And I would still be nervous. I always am, but I know that I can do it. For lots of people the nerves never go away. And that's okay. :) You'll be great! Have fun! It sounds like a wonderful event.

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  8. Absolutely! Write it out and even read it so it comes out exactly the way you intended.

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  9. I can't speak spontaneously but I can write a great speech. Then I just memorize it and keep some notecards on hand, just in case. MUCH less nerve-wracking then trying to come up with something off the cuff. Good luck with it! This sounds like a great event. :)

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  10. I would say write it out for sure. My mom is good at speaking from outlines; I'm not.

    However, I think it's important to remember the audience, too. This isn't a persuasive debate; it's showing these generous donors that they are making a difference. While you don't want to blubber unintelligibly, please don't be afraid of being emotional (in fact, I would encourage it).

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  11. Nope. I have to spend time figuring things out so I don't sound like an idiot.

    Good luck with the speech. As a mom of a preemie, I'm sending you extra hugs for what you're doing. :D

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  12. Off the cuff is very hard unless I'm comfortable with the audience, but I'm okay with giving a prepared speech and I actually enjoy public "readings".

    Just get in a couple practice sessions with your hubby or a friend to get your timing down and you'll be fine.

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  13. I'm a Toastmaster and have awards for speaking off the cuff. Have yourself some index cards with what you want to convey to your audience and remember to breathe.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  14. Ahh, yes, I love speaking in front of people and sure, I do get nervous. Once you get going on the speech, you may forget there is over 100+ people listening to you. That's what experienced, anyway, good luck on the speech! :)

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  15. Good luck to you! I majored in speech communication for a short time in college, and each time I gave a speech it was soooo hard. I've found the best thing for me is to just accept the fact I will not be perfect, and that everyone in the audience wants me to be successful, and relax. I honestly can't remember who was the last poor speaker I saw. (Can't get that sentence right - so I hope it makes sense.) So, if things don't go well, take solace that the audience probably won't remember. But I bet you'll do great! :)

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  16. Speeches tend to be blurry memories for me. The whole time I'm up there I'll be like YOU SOUND LIKE AN IDIOT! ABORT THE SPEECH! ABORT! And then I'll get to the end, and really get into it and it'll be time to go -_- But I'm definitely not a speaker. And yes to the person above me! ^^^^^^^^^^^^ The audience wouldn't remember it it went bad! I hope you did well

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  17. i get so nervous & shaky & choked up! and i'm a teacher! my brain says i can do it, but my body doesnt get the message!

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  18. Kimberly, I am a HORRIBLE speaker. HORRIBLE. I start playing with my hair and saying "um" and stammering and then giggling. It's awful. I need to take a public speaking class or something. I hope your speech goes well... I think I would probably write the speech ahead of time and memorize it, too! I've done that and it's the only thing that helps me talk eloquently.

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  19. If there is a speech-form of dyslexia I have it. I groaned for you when I saw the title. lol I'm almost sure I was born or bred to be a writer, no speaking involved. I'm severely introverted that way.

    How did it go? Did you write down anything first to help you?

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  20. I think I will pass out from anxiety. I hope it went well for you. :)

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