One-Week Countdown: Day 5

Five days to go, and NaPoWriMo will be here! As we count down to April 1st, let’s look beyond the process of getting the poem on the page to – gulp – reading them out loud. Like any form of public speaking, reading your poems to an audience can be very intimidating. But here are some tips and tricks for your next open-mike appearance, which should help you to give a good reading. And also – next time you’re at a poetry reading, watch the hands of the poets – you’ll find they’re often shaking! Even experienced poets still get nervous at readings, but they’ve learned over time to use that energy to make their readings better, and not let it stop them from getting up and speaking in the first place.