Just got back from Tmol Shilshom and my first-ever public reading, with the Pardes Writing Workshop. It was a wonderful experience! I was a bit nervous/shaky as my turn approached, but not too bad. Then when I got up to the podium, I just read, mostly relaxed, and somehow it all came out right!
The crowd seemed to enjoy my pieces, and afterwards I was pleasantly surprised by all the positive feedback I received! Even some professional writers told me that my stuff was good. Even the owner of the establishment, a published writer and enthusiast of writing, gave me some really glowing compliments.
He said that my writing was excellent, then asked me something like whether I was serious about it. I answered that I wasn’t a professional writer and wasn’t studying it formally, but that I hoped to continue writing and take some classes, so who knows? He then said that my writing had that crucial combination of being “good writing” but also being down-to-earth and connecting, speaking, to people. That was really nice to hear.
All-in-all, I’m very pleased with the endeavor, tonight and with the workshop in general. So much so that I’m going to have to continue when we get settled back in the States!
I’ll be posting soon the pieces that I read tonight, just give me a few days! Photos too!
Good night!
Avi