When Writers Speak

As a writer you have spent years mastering the craft of putting your words on a page. What happens when you need to bring your phrases to life on a stage? Any stage. It could be a bookstore launch, a "lunch and learn", a poetry reading or any kind of "book pitch" event. You know how to create tension, storyline, drama, and resolution for your reading audiences. But how comfortable are you when your audience is listening to your words?

One of my primary roles as a TEDx coach is helping speakers bring their carefully crafted talks to life in the most natural, conversational, and engaging way for the audience in front of them, and the one online when their talks get uploaded to YouTube.

During this interactive and practical workshop, we will work through specific exercises to help you feel more comfortable when you need to speak in public. Be prepared for improv exercises, vocal warmups and other fun ways to get you to relax before you speak.

You will leave this two-hour workshop knowing how to:

• grab an audience’s attention
• use pacing and pauses to create the effect
• when and how to use “character” voices when you read
• move “on purpose” and when to stand still
• speak to all while speaking to one
• make your story come alive for the audience

Please bring a few sentences or lines from a poem and be prepared to read them out loud. You may be asked to read another writer’s work, or your own, or both.

Teri Kingston

Teri Kingston is a public speaking and TEDx Speaker Coach. In 2023 she was listed as one of Canada’s Top Ten Speaking Coaches. Through her business, Real Impact Speaking, she helps to amplify presentation skills using TED-style storytelling techniques.

Years dealing with her own performance anxiety when playing piano in public led Teri to study how to overcome stage fright and take any stage with what she calls “Courageous Vulnerability”.

Teri understands how to help speakers discover, design, and develop their best talks. Her mission is to help people get their valuable perspectives and ideas out into the world in a way that will truly resonate with their audiences every time they step out on stage.

She is a Reiki Master/Teacher, a newly published author, a mother to two grown children and a very proud grandmother of two. She moved to St Andrews New Brunswick in July 2021 and simply loves living by the sea.