What's going through my head right now #6

The thing about dancing and writing-

from the stage and the book?

Last Thursday, I had the honour of presenting new short stories and an excerpt from my novel at the FREMDGEHEN reading event in Zurich-Wiedikon. I presented four twenty-minute readings, moderated them, added little anecdotes, tried to establish a connection to the respective audience group and thus build a bridge between the texts, the personal experiences and their own experiences of the listeners.

The reactions, the attention, the laughter, smiles or even thoughtfulness, the encouragement and perhaps also possible irritation were immediately noticeable. You could hear it. The more often I did it, the more I was allowed to repeat it, the better I was able to adapt to each new group that entered the hairdressing salon. The more I did it, the more the performer in me came through. I felt comfortable and on a terrain that I had built up over decades. The direct feedback, whether it was applause or comments on the way out, did me good. I was able to take the feedback with me straight away, reflect on it and learn from it.

As I wrote in my reel on social media on Friday, there is a big difference between being able to communicate my art directly and getting an immediate reaction, and writing a book whose impact is only evident in fragments and the reader remains hidden from me in their private room. But criticism, praise or rejection can't just be gauged from sales figures, star ratings on sales forums or conversations.

What I have also realised, however, is that I can present my writing in very different ways and bring it to a readership. It doesn't always have to appear in printed form, which is then virtually final. The presentation, the dramaturgical design, the ‘trappings’ are part of the production and are just as exciting and bring with them insights that allow me to progress as an artist in every respect.

I really look forward to the new, the unexpected and the opportunity to start a project (or several) that transports me into creative universes. Whether it's a new job, a dance work or a book ... let me surprise you.

Yours Jochen, sincerely