Sian has been trying to make some promotional videos of me for my new book which should be out here in Zimbabwe in the next couple of months. COVID has even changed the way book launches are being done. Because people can't go to live readings or book signings, a lot is being done online. The benefit of this is being able to be more creative in approach. No longer is the author just sitting in a book store, but they can talk about their work from various angles.
The idea is to make a number of short videos, about a minute or so in length, each looking at a different aspect, whether it be character, setting, genre or personal details such as what motivated me to write the book and how I write best.
I can talk quite happily in front of a class, but I struggle to talk in front of the camera and find I can't find the right words with which to express myself. Sian keeps giving me little hints such 'speak up' and 'smile' and whenever she does it, it throws me completely. Sometimes we end up laughing, sometimes we are irritated with each other.
Sian is very good at producing the first video: she adds in music and cuts out irrelevant waffle. When I tell her I would like to produce more than one, she does not look very happy at all. Perhaps it is best for family not to work together on these things.
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