Events nerves

A question arrives. Do I get nervous at book events? I'm asked. 

It's a good question, particularly when my correspondent thoughtfully argues that surely I don't, given that I often appear live on the television with hundreds of thousands of people watching, as opposed to a few dozen at an event.

Fair point, but as so often when logic comes up against emotion, the emotion wins easily. I get very nervous, and for two reasons I think.

The first is that being a reporter, you have to be dispassionate, neutral, detached from what you're covering, however hard that might be. But when you write these book things, it's impossible not to let part of your real self slip into them.  They can almost be an insight into your soul, and baring that in public is a very scary thing to do.

The second part to the nerves is rather more practical.  On the TV, I can't see the masses of people watching.  But with a live audience, it feels very much more real. 

So the answer is a big yes!  I do get nervous, and sometimes horribly so.  But I also think that's healthy, as it helps to give you that edge and makes you perform.  If I didn't get jittery, I suspect I'd think something was wrong.

The question is well timed. I'm just setting off for a Readers' Day at Bournemouth Library.  I'm not due there for another 3 hours, and I'm already getting nervous... so imagine what it'll be like when I walk in and see all the people.  Gulp!

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Wish me luck in Bournemouth!