On January 12th, I had an opportunity to speak to a small audience of eight people. They were mostly authors, with an actress mixed in. It was a chance to practice my oratory skills. I think I did well and my mom, who was at the reading, reassured me on that point.
It was definitely a nerve-wrecking experience. I found out about this reading in early December, but I had maybe a week to write and rehearse my speech. The only instructions I got were, “Don’t just read. Talk about what you write and what inspires you.” So, that’s what I did. I spoke for twenty minutes. I did read passages from Silver Rose, but they were spaced out throughout the talk.
The main theme of my talk was that I may write fantasy, but my work is far from juvenile. I started the very first draft of Silver Rose when I was sixteen. I hated it if and when adults spoke down to me, like I wasn’t smart enough to understand. Silver Rose is meant to entertain people, no matter their age. I deal with topics like friendship, responsibility, discrimination, and loss throughout the book. I know my presentation went well. My audience gave me a steady round of applause when I finished. And I sold some copies of my book.
Congratulations Elizabeth!
Thank you!