Can you speak as well as write? In today’s market, we have to be prepared to market our books and part of that means we need to have speaking skills. I spent two days listening to young speakers. We can take a cue from these excellent speakers. Below are my thoughts regarding the speeches application to fiction writing.

The contest I have been judging is the Region 3 competition for the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. Since these young people have competed and won other competitions, I was looking at the best NCFCA speakers from Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming – and I really do mean the best. After watching eight competitors in Dramatic Interpretation, I wanted to score with an eight-way tie for first. I started thinking about when my book is published and I have an opportunity to read a piece of it at a book signing or other event. My reading would be nothing as dramatic as these presentations, but I can’t help hoping that someone will one day think my book is worthy of being selected so such use. One girl reminded me of the perfect reason for being able to present a book in an exciting and dramatic manner. She had combined several sections of Unafraid by Francine Rivers. I have read and enjoyed some her books, but had not read this one. After seeing this girl’s interpretation, I have moved this book to the top of my reading list and have requested it from the library.