Book Launch Diary: 5 days to go!
On Friday so much happened I’m not sure where to start!
I made my way down to Portsmouth via car, plane and train to talk at a book launch in the evening and catch up with friends who I have made online in Karen William’s book group.
I had some time to spare between arriving and getting ready to go out. I wondered if I should go over my talk (it was a Q&A session but I had a sneak preview of the questions…) or go out exploring. A friend of mine had suggested I go visit a crystal shop she loves. It was a 35 minute walk away and it was raining and I really should be preparing for my talk, right?
Yes, but I went anyway. I felt I wanted to explore. I was also nervous so I needed something to do.
When I arrived in the shop, I wandered around looking at all the lovely crystals and books. I looked at some of the books but nothing jumped out at me, until one book literally did jump at me. It fell off the shelf as I was reaching for another book and hit me on the head! Seriously, I hear about these things but this was the first time it had happened to me.
The book was called The Art of Stillness by Pico Ilyer, which is also a TED Talk book! I took that as a sign that I was just to be me when it came to my talk and reach into that part of me that knows the answers. Quite ironic as this is something I do talk about in my book!
I then came across a crystal I felt drawn to, only to discover it meant trust. OK, second reminder in less than 5 minutes. As I headed back I meandered down lovely wee streets and came across my third sign of the afternoon! Someone had written LOVE in graffiti at the side of a building in very small letters. I was on board now!
After getting ready for going out, I sat down and signed some books. That felt surreal! I had a few pre-orders from the girls I was meeting that night. I had been worried about what to write. However, I just listened to the stillness within me and wrote.
I then headed out and arrived at Karen William’s fourth book launch – The Mouse that Roars – a shy girl’s guide to living courageously.
I finally got to meet some lovely friends I had met online and a few others. Jo, a friend from home was in the area too visiting family and she came along which was really lovely! That friendly face really helped when it came to doing my talk.
Before I got up, Karen talked about her journey. I knew I was on next and I was still a little nervous. I monitored my breathing and focussed on what Karen was saying. She then went on to explain that one of the things that encouraged her to overcome her shyness was when she realised one day she had to choose between her shyness and her message.
That was what I needed to hear. When Karen called my name I went up with purpose. I still did my power pose (which David Hamilton introduced me to) and took a few deep breaths but I was a lot more relaxed. Seeing Jo and so many other lovely friendly faces in the audience helped too.
I trusted. I listened to to the stillness within me and spoke.
© Helen Monaghan
Ps. Thanks to Sheryl Andrews from Step by Step Listening whose picture I used from Facebook 🙂
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