This article was supposed to be completely different. But I couldn’t get into the topic I had in mind. I probably could have banged something out, but it didn’t feel like the right moment to do so. Which left me in every writer’s nightmare–staring a blank page with a deadline looming and nary an inspired thought to be found. It’s not all that dissimilar to being onstage in front of a microphone about to give a presentation and going completely blank. In either situation, how do you move forward? Like it or not, you’re going to have to improvise. Which, depending on what sort of writer you are, may be another “worst nightmare” scenario as well. That’s where I come in. This article discusses how to avoid panicking while improvising and instead look at it as an opportunity.
NOTE: This article helps writers get comfortable with the idea of improvising when either writing or presenting their work. It is not a guide for improv comedy actors. You’re welcome to keep reading, and maybe you’ll find something useful, but I make no promises.
This article is based on the 5 on Friday reel “How to Improvise” that originally appeared on IG Live. Watch the video on Instagram.
How to Avoid Panicking When Improvising
1) Say Goodbye to Your Inner Editor
A writer spends a lot of time editing themselves. We obsess over details like word choice and comma placement. As such, the axiom “first thought best thought” makes a lot of us break out in hives. But if you want to avoid panicking when improvising, this idea can be very freeing. Whether you’re staring down a microphone or a blank page, it’s okay to sacrifice perfect in favor of present. You’re here now, and you need to do something. Take a breath, tell your inner editor to take a hike, and go. Departing without a destination can be scary, but trust that you will get yourself there eventually.
2) Yes, and…
For about a month in my early twenties, I thought I might have a future as a comedian. Since standup was TOO scary, I decided to dip my toe into the waters of improv instead. It didn’t last for more than a few weeks. If anything, I realized the collaboration and construction of sketch comedy is more my speed. But some of the principles have stuck with me to this day. Especially the “yes, and…” principle.
Simply put, the “yes, and…” principle instructs a performer to accept any premise placed in front of them, and then expand upon it. Make it bigger, or pivot it in some way, but don’t deny it.
To put that in terms of writing, it’s simply accepting whatever is in you to write. In other words, allow your stream of consciousness to flow, whether or not that aligns with what you had planned.
3) The Audience is Not Your Enemy
Even if you’re someone who enjoys speaking to a large group (yes, we do exist), a sea of eyes staring at you can feel aggressive when you’ve got nothing. Or perhaps you’re on the brink of publishing a book and you’re suddenly gripped with the fear that everyone is going to hate it.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Audiences, whether in person or off somewhere with your book, didn’t go into this with the intention of hating you. They did it because it seemed like something they would benefit from in some way. It can be hard to remember this through the nerves, but they *are* on your side. And unless you really work at it, you are unlikely to make them hate you. Yes, there’s a chance you may not live up to the expectation they had of you, but that’s okay. You’re doing your best, and that’s all anyone can ask for. If nothing else, you can take that feedback and use it to make things better next time.
4) Seek Input
If you’ve ever been to an improv show, you know that one key factor lies in “suggestions from the audience.” That’s because, when trying to come up with a premise for a sketch or a story, distilling one good idea from the infinite ether swirling around your head is incredibly difficult. Having a point of reference from an outside source narrows things down considerably and help you avoid panicking while improvising.
In both writing and presenting, there’s no shame in seeking outside help. If you have a core group of author friends, absolutely get their advice. But outside input doesn’t have to come from a person. Some of my best inspiration points haven’t even been in the world of writing. It’s no secret that I live in Las Vegas, and the parade of chaos that is the Strip is a constant source of inspiration for me. From art museums to state fairs, grungy metropolises to nature wonders, inspiration is all around if you simply take the time to engage with it.
Even if you live in the middle of nowhere, newspaper headlines, pictures in magazines, family photo albums, old diaries, and (of course) the books and stories of other authors can be a big help.
As for live presentations…there’s a reason they invented Q&A. If you’re really stuck, throw it to the audience and let them help you out of it. Not only will this likely jumpstart your creativity, it reinforces Point #3. People love talking about themselves, and if you give your audience the chance to get the answers they really want, they’ll almost surely view your presentation as a success.
5) Know When To Walk Away–Or Don’t
Once you know how to avoid panicking when improvising, embarking on the endeavor becomes a lot less daunting. But perhaps the more challenging part of improv is knowing when to wrap things up. Even though I’m not an improv actor, I have and do watch a fair amount of (pretty excellent) unscripted comedy, and I’m always so impressed by the people who can bring a scene that started out of almost nothing to a logical and satisfying conclusion. It’s a skill that requires excellent timing and instinct, and not something that develops overnight.
However, there are plenty of times when scenes end without logic or finesse, and that’s totally fine too. Not every scene is going to be a classic, and not every presentation or writing project has to be perfect either. Ironically, the benefit in one case is the opposite of the other. Because the written word is permanent but not immediate, any awkwardness in the stream of consciousness/first draft can be refined before it reaches an audience; and because a presentation is immediate but not permanent, any gaffs that may have occurred are in the past and will be soon forgotten. Unless you’re running for president or something, which I assume most of you are not.
Remember: It’s All About Trust
When it comes down to it, how to avoid panicking while improvising comes down to trust. Turn off the little voice in your head that questions every decision and trust that the decisions you make are, if not the perfect ones, at least good enough to set you on a path. Trust that your audience is not sitting out there with knives and pitchforks, and trust that, in the end, you’re going to get where you need to go. It may not be where you intend or even expect, but trust that it is somewhere worth going. This is true when presenting live, but it’s just as true when facing the blank page. Don’t be afraid to seek and take the advice from others if it’s available to you, and remember that inspiration can always be found if you just go looking for it.
And as always, remember to have fun.
To see how I put these principles into practice, come find me at one of my live events or online appearances.
