How do you get over fears of public speaking/being known publicly now that you’re kind of a celebrity/public figure as a published author? It’s my dream to be an author like you but I hate public speaking and giving presentations at school, etc. Do you eve

Oh yes. I have always been slightly terrified of public speaking. I am super introverted and quiet and was an accomplished wallflower all throughout school. Publishing my book, however, has forced me to do a lot of things that previously terrified me. My book has made me braver, because it has brought (and continues to bring) so many new opportunities to me. I do not want to miss out on things, and so I have had to coach myself to be brave and to go on this adventure. 

Here’s a good example I want to share with you, because it is a process:

A few months before TQR released, I had an acquaintance approach me and say, “I would love to have you come speak at my book club soon!” And I was very honored and told them, yes, I would love to do that. But inside, I was like, “OH MY GOSH NO I AM WAY TOO SCARED TO GO SPEAK TO A BOOK CLUB.” 

A few months go by. My book comes out. I begin to have amazing opportunities to travel and present and speak to people about TQR. I tell myself that I will regret it if I back out because I am afraid. So I take all the opportunities that come to me. I travel and speak and present. 

And then the acquaintance touches base with me again about coming to speak to their book club. I didn’t feel so scared anymore, because I had already spoken so much about my book to multiple groups of people. So I go to the book club. I have a wonderful time. The ladies there are amazing. I enjoy it. I basically talk myself hoarse because there is so much to say and talk about and the ladies have wonderful questions. I go on to speak to 2 more book clubs that summer. 

I also go on to also present to 200 middle school students and 200 high school students at a private school. Was I terrified? Absolutely. This was the biggest audience I had ever spoken to before, and I wanted to tell myself that I was not capable of doing it. But you now what? I was and I am. I spoke to those students about TQR and writing and the process about publishing. And maybe some of those students were bored, but there were a few in that crowd who soaked up everything I said, who I encouraged because writing is their dream, too. That is the best way to look at public speaking: even if most of the people only half-listen to you, think about the people who ARE raptly listening, who you are encouraging and uplifting and connecting with. The nerves are worth it, then, when you think about fueling someone else’s dream. 

I will not deny that that fear is still real. The worst moment for me is right before I begin to speak. But I have to firmly tell myself, “Becca, you can do this.”

So the next time you have to make a presentation, tell yourself you can do it. That your words are going to inspire the people listening to you.

And like anything else, practice and preparation does help you conquer and improve your skill.