FLUBBER
Whoops You Messed Up
Whoops, did I get this song in your head?
The White Room
On Becoming A Public Speaking Avoider
You’re all caught up on “Only Murders in the Building,” right? Why wouldn’t you be? It’s a great show. So let’s assume you’ve already binged season 3. In episode 4: “The White Room,” we watch Charles (Steve Martin) get up on stage and lose it. From the audience’s perspective, he probably seems frozen, out of his mind, and/or spewing gibberish. But what they give us, in their deliciously overly exaggerated way, is Charles’ experience in those moments. And in this author’s humble opinion, they display the most accurate interior portrayal of a stage fright attack.
Imagine a young child being sent on stage to perform the longest and most important speech of a play. This is not by force. She’s an easygoing kid and proud to have earned the responsibility of this big role. On her mark (front, center) she looks at the audience of her already distracted peers. Offstage, a grown up lifts her hands. It’s time to start. Her confidence boosts as she hits the midway point. And then….? She doesn’t know. Words are still coming out of her mouth, but she doesn’t remember saying them. What do they mean? The audience is quiet. Every single kid is looking at her with the same astonished expression. Is she a brilliant actress or a giant fool? If only she knew what she’d been saying when she went somewhere else. Uttering the only line she could pull out of memory, a line she may have already given, or one that might not make any sense, she exits, stage left.
She grew up never knowing that “The White Room” was an actual phenomenon. That (according to Dr. Google) real actors have the experience where they lose sight of reality during a performance. And it wasn’t until Only Murders spoofed it, that she knew what happened to her once upon a time, wasn’t strange or shameful.
Stage fright, or a fear of public speaking, can develop from a handful of mortifying scenarios over one’s lifetime or just exist with no rationale basis.
Take this statement with a grain of salt, as it comes from no scientific studies or research.* Its speculation based on personal experience and knowing both introverted and outgoing people who detest or can’t be on stage.
I, for one, am an avid public speaking avoider. It’s a big no thank-you for me. But for the sake of my book baby, I’m pulling up my big girl panties and doing it, anyway. At least I’m trying.
*I didn’t fact-find for this essay, but
loves to research weird and wonderful topics. Read her Substack here.
I took my maiden podcast interview voyage with guest host Mary Helen Sheriff on LaunchPad. It wasn’t a solo interview, so that put me at ease. The other featured authors, and I had all been a part of
’s marketing program, so I was amongst friends. What I couldn’t guarantee was if I’d head to the White Room when Mary asked me a question, or if my fear of speaking would prevent the data in my brain from coming out of my mouth.
Do I white out, flub, or am I as smooth as ice cream in the middle of a heat wave? Watch here to find out.
Joanne McCall, a media publicist, wrote in her newsletter, “Navigating the media landscape with finesse and confidence is an art form that can propel you, your book, and your brand to new heights.”
I haven’t got the finesse, or the confidence, but I have the will and a snarky sense of humor to save my butt! With that for armor, I will bravely head to my next interview, flubs and all.
Remember our Street Team 101 Discussion?
It’s never too late to be a BUZZ BUILDER:
Talk about me (kindly). Better yet, talk about Not Yours to Keep. Tell two friends, so they’ll tell two friends, and so on.
Invite me to your book club! Sure, I’ll have stage fright, but you’ll be there to make it easy.
If you’re a fan of women’s psychological fiction, go to Netgalley for a chance to read a FREE copy of my book before it’s public release.
When you’ve finished reading, share your response in an honest review on
your blog
social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok
Make sure you hashtag #notyourstokeep on your posts and don’t forget to follow/tag @zellyruskin.
Heads up: Amazon will not accept reviews before Not Yours to Keep’s official pub day. So for now, go on Amazon and follow Zelly Ruskin. Then mark your calendar to add your review on 10/8/24.
Share Sometimes Snarkastic and give your readers a chance to get a FREE ARC on Netgalley!
And Now For Something Completely Serious…
Next month is National Eye Exam month. 👀 This can be very important in detecting brain aneurysms. Warning signs can include
blurred or double vision
a drooping eyelid
a dilated pupil
pain above and behind the eye
Make your eye exam appointment—don’t wait for August!
On the lighter side, eye health is also important for book readers! 🤓
Last Licks
Strudel’s all a-wag with CRAZY BIG NEWS!
I have got to watch season 3. I loved the first two seasons and look forward to the white room scene. Yikes.
Zelly I love the concept of the white room and shall now go down my research rabbit hole as my the MC in my current WIP has stage fright and confidence issues and I've been looking for another layer to add to this story!