I was nursing a house merlot in the back row, in the back room of the swankiest book-shop in Leicester Square.
In came a writer – Philip Gwynne Jones, the man who had transformed Venice into a web of mystery.
They asked him to speak, and with a casual nod, he obliged. I braced myself for the typical acknowledgments and dull anecdotes. But Philip surprised us. Sure he thanked the bookstore, his agent, and his fans, in that order; then he spun a tale that held us captive. His words flowed like a jazz solo, each sentence a note that lingered, drawing us deeper into his world.
When the applause faded, I found myself next to him, my curiosity piqued. “How did you do that?” I asked, amazed. “No notes, just brilliance.”
He smiled, “It’s simples,” he said. “Remember who to thank. Have a rough framework so you know where you’re going, and a story within that framework. Then extemporise.”
“Extemp who’s eyes?” I asked confused.
“Ah never mind. Actually, if you’re not comfortable with that,” he added, leaning in as if sharing a secret, “don’t force it. Some people prefer speaking off the cuff, others don’t. If you’re somebody who doesn’t, then read your speech. But read it well. Own every word as if it were your last.”
Philip Gwynne Jones, the man who turned words into magic, had given me a glimpse behind the curtain. The next time I had to speak, I’d either extemp her eyes with confidence, or just read like my life depended on it. There’s a kind of poetry in that, don’t you think?” Or maybe a novel. On second thoughts, just leave it to the experts. (The real event was to promote two fantastic writers, Philip Gwynne Jones and Trevor Wood)
the Author
Jack Milner uses humour and fun to help organisations transform their culture, communication and creativity.
A director for the West End, film and radio, Milner’s funny, insightful and refreshingly interactive talks and masterclasses help you make work a lot more fun (how fun is up to you), improving organisation’s culture, communication and creativity along the way.