I’ve been blessed with many amazing opportunities to speak to authors on platforms big and small. Being on stage comes naturally to me, and believe it or not, my first dream was to perform on Broadway. Acting, singing, and yes, sometimes dancing (believe it not) in local off-Broadway shows helped me get over my childhood fears and insecurities. And now, standing in front of hundreds of my fellow authors and speaking to them from a place of empathy and understanding seems like second nature to me. My goal, when speaking, whether it’s on a stage, at a workshop, or in a media appearance, is to connect with my audience, share with them anecdotal stories of my own experiences writing and publishing books, and make them feel understood, appreciated, and most importantly, informed. If I manage to throw in a wee bit of entertainment and can invoke the occasional soft chuckle from the crowd, then all the better for everyone.