Alas, No Trophy...

While I thank everyone for their well wishes, I'm sorry to have to announce I didn't place in the contest. There were 5 of us competing and the top 2 simply outspoke me--fantastic speeches that just blew me away. Third place was probably up for grabs among the remaining 3, but I would have called it the way the judges did if I had been scoring.

Here's the question we were asked (and btw, I drew the slot to go first): "When we're 5, we dream of being a teacher or a fireman. When we're 15, we dream of being a rock star. Explain to us why you now would choose...to be a shoe."

You betcha. I think I had good energy and presence but my speech organization was lacking as I just kind of winged thoughts out there. Basically, I talked about running marathons and shoe being a support structure--different supports for different people--to take you where you wanted to go in life. Blah, blah, blah.

The winning speech was by an attorney who launched into this inspirational speech about walking in the shoes of the average American and it was/is the shoes of these workers that makes our nation the great and prosperous it is today where ALL men are created equal... you can see why his speech trumped my "like, shoes are like, totally necessary, for real" speech. =)

It was still fun and I'm glad I did it. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and well wishes for the contest!

Table Topics Contest This Evening

Everyone wish me luck! This weekend is our Districts annual Spring Conference, being held in Charlotte. The Table Topics (impromptu speaking) contest I'm participating in is tonight at 6:30. I'm driving down with a friend and we're coming home after the contest.

The great thing about impromptu speaking is that there's not a lot of prep work. I might try to memorize a few all purpose quotes later today, but even that's iffy. I'm not really a quote-spouting type person. I much prefer to use humor. However, not every question lends itself to humor, especially at the higher levels of competition where it seems the questions always focus more on "What 3 things would you change about today's school system?" or "In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, what can be done to reach out earlier to troubled teens?" type topics.

This is the last level of competition so win or lose, it ends today. Blair offered to attend the contest but I think having him there would be the one thing that would make me nervous, so he's staying home and just sending me good thoughts, as I know all of you are.

Pray for a question that allows a funny answer. =) - Dena

Speaking to High Schoolers

It doesn't take much to wing me back into the mental angst of high school. My friend Ed and I spoke today to a group of freshman at Page High School in a creative writing class. We ran into my friend Bernie right after the class and she asked how it went. "They didn't throw anything," was our jubilant reply.

Kidding. We had a great time. The kids loosened up after about 20 minutes (which may or may not have had anything to do with Ed quoting Hemmingway that, "All first drafts are shit."). By the end of class, we had multiple hands in the air as they asked us to describe the high and lows of writing (seeing your name in print / dismal pay), do people every steal our work, and how to turn a paper in on Monday when they can't think of anything to write. (Hint: Don't be a perfectionist. Be willing to put something--anything--down on paper. You can make it pretty later.)

One girl raised her hand and said, "This isn't a writing question, but I have to ask you where you got your necklace." Whoo-hoo! I made the clique! (Seriously, I probably selected my outfit today with more care than I would if attending a formal dinner party. They don't play around in high school...)

There a million bells in high school. There's a five-minute bell, three minute bell, one minute bell, and close your classroom door bell. One kid tried to slip in the door not even 2 seconds after the close the door bell had rung, and the teacher sent him to the office to get a note. I was struck, as I sat in the classroom before class began, how very closed off the room is. Thinking of VA Tech, there truly would be nowhere to hide or run should someone come in the door.

One girl shyly asked me at the end of class if I had any tips for someone who wanted to write an advice column. Oh--they're so young. I just want to hug them all up and make them see how each of them is bursting with potential...

All in all, a good day.

Speaker of the Week

This is a week of speaking engagements for me. Tomorrow morning a fellow writer friend and myself are speaking to a creative writing class at a local high school about what it's like to be "real" writers. We did this last year and it was fun. The first question the kids ask is always, "How much do you make?" That opens the door nicely to the whole, "Being a writer is more about following your passion than it is about money..." speech. I.e., keep studying and aim for med-school, little Johnny.

I'm presenting my "Niche Your Pitch" workshop to a women's business group during a Thursday luncheon, and then I have a 2-hour private client presentation to make immediately following that. Talking, talking, talking...

Have I mentioned I'm taking a writing course? It's "Lessons in Voice" and consists of three Tuesday night classes. Tonight will be our second class. I very much enjoyed the first. It's been awhile since I've been a participant in a writing course and I'd forgotten the joys associated with it. No real reason for taking the course, other than I felt like doing some writing for FUN and not just because I had a deadline attached to it.  Plus, it focuses on fiction writing--a luxury I rarely allow myself anymore.

I'm reluctant to leave today's blog without at least a mention of the tragedy at VA Tech. I didn't even know about it until 5 o'clock yesterday when I finally turned on the TV. Shocking... heartbreaking... isn't there enough violence out there without it coming to what should be a safe and secure environment for young adults on the cusp of their lives?  Just shattering... I'm sure we're in for many more heart wrenching details to come.