So, just a reminder, I’ll be doing a reading at the West Bank Cafe tonight with Cynthia Kaplan, Nancy Giles and some other funny people (well, I’m told they’re funny, we haven’t actually met) and, if you happen to be in the neighborhood and don’t mind blowing ten clams for a little entertainment, stop on by.
Just, one thing. If I suck, tell me you loved it. I’m not one of those people who likes constructive criticism. It’s not constructive for me, because this is as good as I’m ever going to get. At anything. So, I know you might think it’s helpful to suggest that I prepare something funny the next time somebody invites me to participate in a night of comedy, or that I should read the words slowly enough that the audience might understand me, but it’s really no use. There’s always something nice you can say, even if you hate something you just saw. I’m an expert at this. If I see a friend in a show or read their book and I don’t love it, I always say this: “I loved it!”
I don’t go for those veiled, honest replies that protect people’s feelings without being untruthful. I hear people do this all the time. They say stuff like, “I can’t believe how much work went into that! You must be so proud!” Or, “Wow, I’m speechless.” Somebody once told me that you should just compliment the thing(s) that you truly liked about another’s work. Say something like, “I have been to a zillion readings, but I have never seen anybody lower a microphone so gracefully! The way you kept caressing it with your hand as you read! Beautiful!” Or, sometimes so-called friends will give compliments that are deliberately barbed, like, “Well, I won’t forget that for a long time, that’s for sure!” Or, “I was amazed at how much the audience loved it!”
So the easiest thing is, “I loved it.” I’ll believe you!
Now, off to write something for the show. I don’t like to put things off until the last minute.
If we’re outting ourselves, I too deplore “constructive” criticism. Let me bask in the ignorance of my self-delusion.
Go get ‘em tonight—wish I could be there!
I Cannot wait to hear all about it! I know you will do well!I wish i could be there too……. oh and i love/loved it!
xxxx
You ARE funny.
And you will do great. Just get into the groove and read same way you would ‘here’.
There.
Ann, I know from my short time reading your blog, that you will bring the house down. No B.S. here. That’s the truth.
You’ll be fabulously funny! Wish I could be there to enjoy the show.
i can say with 100% confidence that you killed it tonight… i’m still laughing. the others shouldn’t have even bothered showing up – you were THAT much better. your preparation is unmatched!
The Number One Reason Ann Will Knock ‘Em Dead Tonight:
Beauty + Brains (and it doesn’t hurt that she’s a wicked good writer!)
You will be great tonight, Ann!!
Wish I could be there tonight! Break a leg!
Best of luck tonight, remember to have fun and enjoy. xoxox.
p.s. not to be a pest, but what is our next book? I just finished Peyton Place and I recommend to the blog.
Ann, I don’t know if this trick still works, but try to imagine Cynthia, Alan, and Barbara naked while you’re on stage. I’m sure they won’t mind.
I would say break a leg but seems not quite right given you are an EMT now
Best Wishes always
Good luck tonight Ann. Don’t forget to breathe. You ‘ll be fantastic.
Ann, You will be great! I know this because you already have me laughing!
I’d love to be there!
All the best,
Lynne
Have been sending positive thought-waves tonight, hoping it is going well. I’m extremely bummed that I couldn’t be there, I had really hoped to. Eagerly looking forward to the post-show deconstruction. xoxo
Hi All…….just got home from the show…..Ann, you were great !!! I loved it and had such fun !!!! It was terrific seeing you again, as well as Alan and, Cynthia…I met you and it was as if I’d known you for ages !!! The show was fun and funny; you told your story like you were talking to old friends. I never would have known you were nervous. I did put it on my flip camera; but I have arthroscopic knee surgery at 7 AM, so I’m off to bed tonight, but I’ll send it to you tomorrow afternoon (after I nap, lol).
I’m so glad I went; thank you for letting us know about it!!
It is so cute how nervous you get Ann
I hate those backhanded compliments and i never notice them till later.
I usually grin like a fool under all the praise and lay awake later at night going …wait…did he say …
I hope it goes well for you
Barbara, I’m so glad that you had a great time last night, and a fun get-together with Alan and Cynthia. And I hope your surgery went well this morning, oh my! Rest up and heal, and take advantage of those pain meds.
Ann was fantastic! She had the place laughing out loud, not just our table, but the entire cafe.
She looked beautiful, (her hair! how can she have great hair when it’s raining outside? My hair could have been a stunt double for Cousin It from the Adams Family!) she had great stage presence, and her material and delivery was just plain funny.
Spending a few hours with Barbara and Alan was a joy. I hope Barbara’s knee surgery is complete by now, and she’s on the road to mend.
Alan, come to find out, is a huge fan of Ms. Nancy Giles. We, (meaning myself),couldn’t pass up the opportunity to introduce Ms. Giles to Alan. No, I had never met the poor woman before, but she was warm and friendly, and Alan got a hug and a kiss out of the deal!
The final bit, we met another one of the East Coast Blog Folk! Jane from Dutchess County! How much fun to run into others from Ann’s Blog! We really enjoyed meeting you Jane! Hope we didn’t scare you away! Hmmm…why does that sentence get so much use from me?
Thanks for sharing the video and Ann we had no doubts about how well you would do..We know you are fantastic, funny and just down right charming