Writer’s Workshop: Nerve Racking

2.) A case of the nerves! When was the last time you had them and how did you get through it?

Going to a blog conference is always nerve racking. It’s one of those things where I *think* I want to go and force myself to sign up, but I’m terrified I’m not going to be the person people think I am. I don’t know what kind of horse and pony show people are looking to find when they meet me, but I’m usually neither.

I had similar feelings about teaching. I was drawn to teach but absolutely terrified to stand in front of a class.  I knew I couldn’t let my fear of interacting with humans interfere with my desire to accomplish my…accomplishments so I forged ahead.

Before one particular Bloggy Boot Camp I was talking to my Mom and she was all “Kathy I just can’t believe my little homebody daughter is traveling across the country to SPEAK in front of strangers…are you feeling nervous at all” and I was all “Yes terrified”, and she was all “well I don’t blame you one bit! Have you thought about what you’re going to do?”  and I was all “I’m gonna drink”.

I told her about my plan to drink myself into a fun person and being the mother she is she was all “Well I don’t know that’s a very good idea…” and I was all “no seriously, I just need a glass of vodka or something and I’ll be fiiiine.”

The motherly advice she passed on was priceless…I could tell she was really believing that I was going to kick back with a glass of vodka (which by the way is not even my drink of choice) and get belligerent at this conference. she got all serious and lecture-y and said, “Now Kathy you need to be really careful with alcohol…just one sip too many you will start slurring your s’s ever so slightly. You might not even notice it, but people in the room will notice and they’ll wonder what is wrong with you.”

I flashed to a vision of myself front and center at the blog conference being all, “Okay everrrryone lissssten up! Lisssten ta me caussse I’ve learrrnd alaut about blogging and I’mgonaa tellya about it….you gotcherrrrpencccilsss caussse yer gonnaneed’em!” and then I’d pass out for five minutes, “umkay wherrre were weee?” as I take another swig of vodka.

I started laughing and was all “okay Mom don’t worry…I won’t get drunk.”

Instead I pictured everyone naked and it TOTALLY helped my nerves, but made interactions a little awkward.

Now it’s your turn!

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) Whoops…write about a time you put your foot in your mouth.
2.) A case of the nerves! When was the last time you had them and how did you get through it?
3.) Share a favorite dessert recipe.
4.) On The Bachelor a rose is given to the women he could really see himself spending the rest of his life with. What six things in your life would you like to give a rose to and why?
5.) Describe what it was like meeting your in-laws for the first time?