My First Speech

I knew I would have it coming to me when the clock tower struck nine as I ran down the concrete stairs.

I was a minute late. Last semester, if I left a half hour before class started, I was able to make it on time. Apparently I need more time now. As soon as I entered the classroom, my professor said I would need to give a one-minute speech on the importance of punctuality.

He may not have been entirely serious, as the two girls who showed up five minutes later never gave speeches, but I went for it, thinking I might as well throw myself out there the first moment I walked in.

I have a fear of speaking. Not just in front of a classroom of twenty-five students, but in most given situations. Last Saturday, I had to build up my confidence just to tell an Arby's employee that he rang up my order incorrectly. I almost said nothing, as speaking up can seem more painful to me than being overcharged a few dollars.

That is why I signed up for a public speaking class. And I discovered today that we will be spending part of class outside beneath the bell tower, orating not just to the class, but to anyone passing by.

It's enough to make students want to drop the class. I don't need it for my degree, after all. Yet I need it for something even bigger than my degree: my book. I need to start speaking about Cutting Free so I can show publishers I mean business. I'm not just going to publish it and "see what happens." I'm going to MAKE this book happen.

So here's to my first day of Principles of Public Speaking. Finding my voice has been the most difficult challenge of my entire life. Most of the tragedies I have suffered stem from this. And that is why my book is so important. It gives a voice to the powerful experiences and will help people find their own.