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Reading "Last Sermon"

Writer's picture: writerjnswriterjns

Updated: Feb 4, 2020


In 2018, I had the wonderful opportunity to do my first reading. I was invited to read for 15 minutes at a biannual event hosted by my fellow writers from Hour After Happy Hour (a writers group in Pittsburgh, PA that I was a part of). While that day was joyous, I learned much more about being alone than the mechanics of pulling off a good reading.


Jennifer N. Shannon short story "Last Sermon" 2018 reading
Jennifer N. Shannon reading "Last Sermon"

Reading is only half...


I won't make this long or drawn out because honestly I want you to listen to my reading, but I want to explain something: I loved doing that reading. I cherished every moment because it was the first time someone asked me to share my writing in front of a live audience. It was like they were saying "we see you and we hear you and others should too."


So for that I am forever grateful. The first lesson I learned was that it's not easy to read for 15 minutes and keep people engaged so your story or whatever better be damn good. But the other thing I realized standing there in front of that crowd of people is that, I was alone.

“It was like they were saying "we see you and we hear you and others should too.”

It wasn't supposed to be like that...


No really. While, I didn't have many friends in Pittsburgh at the time, I had invited the two I had. I also had invited my boyfriend (now ex). He lived 4hrs away but I really wanted him there. Of course, none of them could make it, so I found myself at an unfamiliar venue trying to hold conversations with the few writers I knew. Then as I sat down and looked around everyone else seemed to be there with someone. Other readers had some level of support in the audience. I was all alone.


It made me sad but not in a weepy way. It just let me know that I was definitely time to move on. Time to leave the beautiful city of Pittsburgh and it was certainly time to surround myself with the support I craved and needed. Almost six months later, I packed up for Maryland...And what a trip that was.


What's Next???


Well, this blog is going to be about me and my writing and my travels and my life. It's been a long time since I wrote or recorded a blog, so this is my return to this space. I'll be sharing and revealing myself in a way I haven't done before...And I want you all to go on this journey with me.


Sit back, listen to my reading, and stay tuned for the next post.


Until then, love well...


writerjns


p.s. I stole "love well" from a post by Bernice King after Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others perished in a helicopter crash. R.I.P to the souls that were lost.


And to the living, give your flowers now, don't wait until it's too late.




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