Article was published in the Orange Ink June, 2009 issue of the Orange County Branch of the California Writers Club, by Sonia Marsh.
Standing in front of a mic is not what writers do best, but it can make you a better writer.
I first heard about DimeStories during a luncheon at the Literary Orange conference in April 2009. Michele McCormick, writer, and clinical psychologist by day, just happened to join our table and encouraged all writers to attend a DimeStories event at Laguna Beach Books.
Preparing a three-minute “dime story” forces you to write a short story from beginning to end, using what Michele calls the “slash and burn” editing technique. When I heard that selected “showcase” stories might be aired on NPR- National Public Radio, my ego kicked in, and I had visions of instant fame. During the next week, I read about the concept of DimeStories on http://DimeStories.org and prepared a three-minute excerpt from my memoir to share in front of an audience.
Easter Sunday, I attended my first DimeStories event. I arrived at 4:30 p.m., half an hour early to make sure I got my name in the “bucket.” The system is based on drawing names at random, so you really have no idea when you’re called up to the podium. I’d rehearsed several times in front of my bathroom mirror, reading my story aloud and timing it with a buzzer to stay within the strict three-minute time limit.
Laguna Beach Books is an inviting and friendly meeting place. After signing in, you can offer a $5.00 donation towards supporting the DimeStories events. Pink frosted cookies, cheese and crackers and wine are served to help you numb your nerves prior to reading. You can also browse the bookshelves or chat with other writers.
“Are you reading tonight?” an attractive woman asked me as I checked out the podium area. I told her this was my first time and found out she was Amy Wallen, the founder of DimeStories, in San Diego. She introduced me to Meredith Resnick, who started and hosts the Orange County branch of DimeStories.
After a few announcements, Amy Wallen placed her hand in the bucket. “Our first reader tonight is Sonia Marsh,” she said.
I sprang off my chair, like a jack-in-the-box, not quite sure where I was, nor what I was doing. Heading to the mic with confidence, I extended my arms holding onto my papers, and noticed they weren’t staying straight. My legs wobbled. Was there an earthquake? After the first paragraph, I took charge and finished my story on time.
It was over. I could relax and listen to others read. It was during the listening phase that I discovered how much I could learn from other writers and apply it to my own writing.
I also found that DimeStories can help:
• Get immediate reactions on what works and what might not work in your story
• Improve your writing skills
• Overcome shyness
• Offer media training
• Get exposure in the local press
• Showcase stories
• Chance to get on NPR
Hope to see you at a DimeStories event on the 2nd Sunday of each month at Laguna Beach Books at 5 p.m.
DimeStories sounds like a lot of fun! I love public speaking so that part wouldn’t be a problem for me. Condensing a story to a mere three minutes?! *eek*
Good for you, Sonia! Sounds too nerve-wracking for me though. It sounds like the oral equivalent of flash fiction.
What great advice! I have done quite a bit of public speaking and would prefer it to writing. It’s so much more difficult to write what you want and not be able to rely on intonation and expression to get your meaning across.
I like the part about improving your writing skills, but getting up there in front of everyone to read it would be pretty stressful to me. I do a lot of public speaking, but its hard for me.
I'd like to try that! Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the continent. It's like trying to condense the essence of your 92,000 word book into one sentence of 25 words or fewer. also a great exercise.
I'd love to attend something like that. Would it be possible to publish a dime story somewhere online, so those of us who can't be there could get a feel for one?
Jenny
Thanks so much for spreading the word on DimeStories, Sonia.
It is so much fun to create a complete work, story arc and all, in a 3-minute time period. (We must thank Amy for turning the genre into the reading series called DimeStories that we know and love!)
Over at the DimeStories website anyone can click and listen to some of the stories that have been performed at our showcases–these are the preselected pieces read by the author. http://www.dimestories.org will take you to them.
Enjoy!
Your readers may also like to know that Amy Wallen (the DimeStories Amy Wallen!) is a new columnist on The Writer's Journey. She's penning Voice Lessons with Amy Wallen…so much fun! Do check her out:
http://innerwritingjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/voice-lessons-with-amy-wallen.html
Your readers may also like to know that Amy Wallen (yes, DimeStories Amy Wallen!) is a new columnist on The Writer's Journey. She pens Voice Lessons with Amy Wallen. So much fun!
http://innerwritingjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/voice-lessons-with-amy-wallen.html
@CairoTyp0
You must be one of the rare ones who doesn't mind public speaking. What's your secret?
@LadyFi
I know, we all have to pluck up courage, except CairoTyp0, who already has the courage.
@Jungle Mom
Another person who seems to like public speaking. How do you get to that point? Practice? Practice?
@Brenda
Does it get easier for you Brenda?
@MIss Footloose
Please can you send me your 25 word synopsis? I'm trying to do that too.
@Jennifer
I asked Meredith below to respond to your question as she hosts the DimeStories. Please read her comment. Thanks for asking.
How cool! I read at the Dime Stories events here in San Diego! Glad you enjoy them, too.
@ Beth
So you must know Amy and Eber well? I hope you are an Adam Lambert fan.