 Live storytelling is the new entertainment for thinking people as you know if you're a fan of The Moth. Everyone has a story, right?! But how do you tell yours, in five minutes, in a way that rivets your audience?
Gulp.
That's the challenge I face when I take the stage on Friday Oct. 27th at a new cross-generational storytelling event for women in NYC. Insert pit of fear in stomach here.
I'm basically a very shy person. So why have I volunteered to speak at this event? Because I love being on stage when I'm prepared. It's just the nerve-wracking prep leading up to it that makes me faint with fear. Prep includes writing and rewriting a story, of course, along with testing it out on a few people, rehearsing and more rewriting - and memorizing.
I'll get to the bit about sex after sixty, I promise.
The other "why" to participate in Generation Women is because it's a really cool event. My husband and I attended last month to check it out. (Yes, men are welcome.) The organizer describes it thus:
""Each month, five women of note read an original piece on a theme. Of those women, one is in her 20s, her 30s, her 40s, her 50s, and her 60s+. Generation Women celebrates and amplifies women’s voices and creativity. Our diverse line-ups will make you laugh, cry, and think. We’re a unique, intimate female literary salon that brings together women of all ages."
The women on stage this month include an Emmy-nominated writer for Saturday Night Live, an improv veteran who performs at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and a New York Times bestselling author. And me: a grandmother of six who is reinventing life after sixty.
So really, I had to be slightly outrageous to get a spot on the stage. I sat down to write a story and this is what popped out of my head: Secrets of Sex After Sixty.
Yes, I plan to offer a few nuggets of information on that topic. But what I'm really doing is telling a funny story about researching "sex after sixty" as a way to talk about navigating the land of the young old. This is an actual life stage, variously defined as 60 - 69, or 55 - 75. I call it adolescence for old people. We have angst, we have feelings that are sometimes hard to express, and we have a lot of questions.
My big question (as you know if you've been reading this newsletter), is this: how do you reinvent or redefine yourself after 60?
I wish I could tell you I have the answer. I've been exploring possible answers for several years. What I know so far is that there ARE some similarities with sex after sixty. Namely, that you need to change your mindset, you need to think DIFFERENTLY and you need to redefine what success is. Okay, don't get too excited. This won't be a graphic story I'll tell on stage. But I hope it will be funny.
If you're in or anywhere near NYC, consider coming to the Generation Women evening to support me and the other terrific speakers.
Learn more about Generation Women on Oct. 27th
Click here to buy a ticket
If you have a story popping out of your head
I'm offering 20-minute "get acquainted" sessions where we get on the phone and you tell me about your book and story ideas. I'll give you at least one piece of actionable feedback and if we think there's a fit, we can talk about working together. Hit Reply and tell me if you're interested. I'll respond with a scheduling link.
As a book writing coach, I offer these services:
- Half or full-day intensives in NYC where we meet face-to-face to brainstorm and organize your book idea. These are hugely productive and can put you months ahead on a book project.
- Ongoing coaching for six months or longer, via Skype or Zoom, to give you accountability and a professional editor (moi) at your side and keep you moving forward.
- 90-minute whiteboard sessions via Zoom to clarify your book idea and help you get started with a solid plan for writing.
More here about working with me as a book coach.
Yours in possibilities,
Debbie
P.S. If you're a new reader...
A special welcome! I'd especially like to hear from you. Don't hesitate to hit Reply and tell me your biggest challenge or question related to writing or "young old" or anything else.
P.P.S. If you know anyone who is looking for coaching to get help with writing a book and navigating the new world of publishing, please pass along this message.
I help writers get unstuck.
New website! http://debbieweil.com
mobile: 202.255.1467
private email: wordbiz@gmail.com
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