I admit I’ve been a little sluggish ever since returning from vacation. I could blame it on the weather, the economy, my insomnia, or the sore throat that has plagued me for the past week, but I’m not a fan of excuses.
Fortunately, things have started to turn around in the last few days, and I suspect part of that was participating in Mortified last night. Basically, people dig up old diary entries, short stories, and other embarrassing gems from their past and read them in public (usually a bar or comedy club). I did it once a year and a half ago and had a blast, but this time I was more reluctant to read my pieces.
I contemplated telling them I was sick (which would not have been a complete lie – I was sick earlier this week), but I pride myself on reliability, so I made myself do it again. I’m glad I did. It’s hard to tell if stuff is actually funny, because this crowd will laugh at anything. Could be the booze or the bad memories of high school, but either way it’s a adrenaline rush. Not to mention the fact that it’s good practice should I publish a book and need to work the bookstore circuit someday.
The last time I read at Mortified, one of the producers told me that she thought my journal entry was among the most mortifying pieces of the evening (not sure if that’s a complement or not). This time the other readers gave me a serious run for my money with stories of coming out of the closet, attending an ‘N Sync concert (complete with choreography and singing), and a hilarious fictional account of “Indiana Skywalker and the Rectum of Doom.”
There will be a podcast coming out next week, so I’ll be sure to post the link and let you all my readers share my shame.
Update: here is the podcast. In its entirety. Oh, the shame… My reading starts around 33 minutes.
What a great idea Susan! I think it’s even a good practice to do at home, by yourself. Will I do it? I don’t know, but maybe the podcast will motivate me! I love to read, love to speak to audiences large or small, but I never have been very comfortable reading aloud. Thanks for getting the wheels turning.
@Jacqueline: You should come to the next Mortified and see it live. I’m not doing the April performance, but it’s the first Thursday of each month in Boston. Once you see how incredibly fun/funny it is, I bet you’ll feel more motivated to try out.
Wish I could attend Mortified…but it’s a bit far from Vancouver. Congrats on getting up there and reading your stuff. I can’t think of anything better to prepare for the book circuit (and of course that lucrative 3-novel deal). Well done!
@Janet: They do have Mortified in other cities, too, but I’m not sure about Canada. Come to think of it, baring your soul onstage is kind of similar to baring your soul on the page. Essayists need to be able to access that raw emotional place, so it was a good exercise for that.
I could tell you definitely had your groove back.Many great stories come from shameful experience.
That sounds intense ! I’m wondering if it would work in Dublin , could be funny…this is a bit random but i went to a great seminar with Beth Morrison yesterday whose blog I came across on your blog , which had been reccommeded to me on a writing course in Sydney. it’s a small world
@Niamh: Beth rocks! I hope you enjoyed her class and thanks for commenting on my blog.
Ah…..i am big fan of Diary writing , i wish i can also participate in event like this…..It must have been tough however exciting as well…..Sometimes when you read your diary its kinda shame when you read it….but simultaneously its fun too…..
@Mridul: That is EXACTLY the feeling of doing Mortified! If they don’t have readings like this in your part of the world, maybe you should start one.
There was a guy who drove in from Rhode Island to read his stories, and I told him he should do the same.
You might be affected by the recession but the writing style you use is just so plain classic, you’ll never worry of getting your groove back. But here, maybe this can make you even better:
http://www.freelanceforum.com, a Freelancers Database for freelance writers, freelance coders, freelance webmasters, freelance
designers, and almost anything relating to freelancing. There are prose writing contests and creative-writing competitions there,too, so it might be of your interest. And the prizes are reasonable and the payment system credible. Aside from saying that your entry’s worth my following, im inviting you to join in the said site.
Thanks for your blog. I’ll keep track of your blog entries.