My presentation—Threads of Realism in Fantasy—is done. Tomorrow Clif and I head bright and early to the University of Maine at Orono, where I will be giving it for the first time to Susan Pinette’s class on Franco-American Places.
The presentation is centered on my Franco-American heritage and how I wove into my novel real places such as Waterville’s South End. While the presentation is ideally suited for this class, it is also appropriate for a general audience, and I’m planning to present it to other libraries.
I must admit, I am a bit nervous. Public speaking is not my strong point, but I’ve worked hard on the presentation to make it visually interesting, and I’ve rehearsed it many times. In fact, I’ll be rehearsing it again today.
Something that counterbalances the nervousness is the discovery that I like talking about Maya and the Book of Everything, much the same way I enjoy talking about my children. In a way, I suppose the novel is a bit like a child. I certainly labored long and hard over it for many years.
Here is the opening slide for the presentation:
Wish me luck!
I’ll report back on Friday.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Wishing you lots of luck and will be thinking of you tomorrow!! Will give you a call tomorrow night to hear all the details!! You’re going to be fabulous! 🙂
Thanks, Shannon!
Good luck, Laurie. I think you are really going to enjoy giving your presentation. Your preparation sounds impressive. You have been very respectful of your audience to give it such care and thought.
Thanks, Cheryl!
Good luck Laurie, I am sure you will do well. When you talk about something that you love from the heart it will come so naturally to you xxx
Aw, thanks so much.
☺💖🍀🍀
That’s so true – Your love of the subject and your hard work will shine through any nervousness, I’m sure.
Yes, Yes!
Break a leg! 🙂
Thanks, June!
Have fun! 🙂
Many thanks!
I will be thinking of you today. I know the students will appreciate your presentation and you will add to their learning about Franco-American Places. Another way to celebrate the rich diversity of our country. Thank you for taking the time to share with these students.
Thanks, Beth!
Good luck to you, my friend! – Funny – I once wrote an article titled “The Truth in Fiction.” Interesting stuff!
Thanks, Jodie! What a coincidence!
Best of luck. I suspect you will end up enjoying it immensely!
Thanks, Brenda! Despite being nervous, I did enjoy myself.
Hope it went swimmingly! Love always flows. 🙂
Thanks, Eliza! It did go well. I’ll be writing about it for the blog.
Oh, I really look forward to hearing how it went. If you speak half as well as you write, they will be mesmerized by you. You speak French, yes?
Aw, thanks, Melissa! No, I do not speak French. My generation was the first to lose it, and what a shame!
My parents didn’t teach us either though they both spoke it. They grew up in Saco. 😦
Melissa, I did not realize you are Franco-American, too. Now, how cool is that? Yes, very sad that the French language was lost. With just a little encouragement, Maine could have been a bilingual state.
Oh, yes! One of the sweetest things about your book for me was how I could relate so personally regarding that aspect of it.
My gosh, my gosh! Again, so cool!
I’m sure you will be brilliant.
In fact I know you will, because I’ve already read the post that tells me all about it. 🙂