When Bad Readings Happen to Good Authors

It's a common occurrence: We love an author, we've read all her books, we can't wait to hear her read at a local book store. And when we go, the reading's anywhere from a letdown to a total dud.



What goes wrong?



Most authors I talk to, whether they're newbies or veterans, don't understand that readings are performances and a complete break from their routine. Writing is solitary, even if you do it on your laptop in a coffee house. And so is reading a book.



But reading aloud to an audience is the...