Tuesday night I attended the Words for the Journey writers group. The speaker was Donita K. Paul – a great lady who writes Christian Fantasy novels. Sitting in the cookbook section of Barnes & Nobel, listening to other writers share the words of the summer brought joy and a lightness to my heart. We haven’t met since the end of June and there is so much to share.

I have been working on my speaking more than my writing. The two endeavors march hand in hand. I can sell more of my writing by speaking and find speaking engagements by writing.

Like writing, speaking is a matter of preparation, practice, and patience. When I fist started attending the Castle Rock chapter of Toastmasters International I thought I was a good speaker. WRONG! I have many areas that need work, but week by week I am improving. When I write, I move words and thoughts around. I search for the perfect word. When I speak, my whole body as well as my mind tells the story. Not only do I need the perfect word, but I need the perfect gesture, expression and movement.

Now, as I write, I think and sometimes speak the words to know how the readers might see them.