Tuesday, January 26, 2010

To Ham or not to Ham

So - I'm Irish, I like Writing, and (without meaning to be an ego about it) I'm pretty much Central in my own life (wherever I go, there I am) - ipso facto - I'll be perfectly fine reading at the Irish Writers' Centre.... Right? Right??? I casually dropped it into the newsy bit there last Monday, but it's kind of a big deal to me. I've read alot of poems out to people, but this will only be my second time reading a story out loud, in public. It's a first person narrative too... What do I do? Act it out? Ham it up? There's a serious danger of mortification here folks, and it's a huge honour to be reading there, I don't want to blow it - advice in the comment box thanks....
Really looking forward to part-deux of the night - the brown bread mix-tape at the Stag's head - run by Kalle Ryan. He's running the night monthly, each month with a different theme, and tomorrow night's theme of Family is largely (ok totally) responsible for the birth of yesterday's poem. Anyways should be a good one, if I haven't fainted away with nerves before it all kicks off.
Both things are free in, so y'never know - might even see you there.... you're all invited.

13 comments:

Domestic Oub said...

OMG - its bloody contagious - read this post and started to get butterflies in my stomach!

Niamh B said...

am nervous enough for all of us I can put your mind at rest right now.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Well, as they say in the theater --Break a leg! (in a nice way I mean)

Titus said...

Is this tomorrow? Good luck, but sorry, can't be there.
I did a mixed poetry (me) and short story (Vivien Jones, from her collection "Perfect 10") reading at Wigtown and both the stories she read were first person narrative. She didn't ham it up, but certainly adopted enough persona to make it "right".
Oh, wiffling on, Vivien blogs at
http://bassviol.blogspot.com/ and her writing site's here; http://www.vivienjones.info/

And you know what. When in doubt, do what feels right, then get drunk after. You'll be great!

Totalfeckineejit said...

Niamh, this is really vitally important,I really messed up once-big time!You can learn from my mistake. So listen carefully,whatever you do make SURE you don't,er, or is it do? No, it's don't, I think.Wait a minute, no it's definitely do, yes do bring a naked drunk performing midget with you.

Or is it don't?

Colm Keegan said...

I wouldn't 'act' at all if the character is a long way away from your own personality. My advice is to pronounce the words as strongly as possible. Focus on reading well, let the rest follow.

Batteson.Ind said...

don't pop your p's and b's and try not to over S you S's... but I'm sure you've figured that out by now :-)... erm...
focus on a spot on a wall, or someone's head or on a ceiling or something... erm...
have fun!...
always have fun.. then nothing else matters .. apparantly!
good luck!

Niamh B said...

Thanks Lorenzo!
Thanks Titus - will have to check her out
TFE - Thanks, I think! :-)
Tks Uiscebot - wishing I'd paid attention in my elocution lessons now.
Tks Watercats.. I shall try...

Niamh B said...

Turns out reading a 20 minute long short story is the very best possible warm up for reading poems in the pub!
Yippee! All went well, phew - see yez friday

And thanks to all who came along in support.

Aidan said...

Niamh,

Excellent poetry last night at the Brown Bread Mixtape.

Well done.

Niamh B said...

Heya Aidan, Thanks a million, enjoyed your bit the last time I saw you at Glór as well... very funny songs you have :-)

Irish Writers' Centre said...

Hi Niamh,

Thanks for taking part in the event. Really enjoyed your story!

Niamh B said...

Hi Irish Writing Centre,
Thanks! Really enjoyed doing the reading, it was a huge honour.