{"id":85397,"date":"2019-01-23T16:46:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T05:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/?p=85397"},"modified":"2019-02-21T13:11:10","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T02:11:10","slug":"qa-with-charlotte-wood-and-lucinda-holdforth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/2019\/01\/23\/qa-with-charlotte-wood-and-lucinda-holdforth\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A with Charlotte Wood and Lucinda Holdforth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charlotte Wood, acclaimed Australian author of Animal People<\/em><\/a> and The Natural Way of Things<\/em><\/a>, recently sat down for a chat with Lucinda Holdforth, author of the upcoming Leading Lines<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lucinda Holdforth’s previous works include True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris<\/em><\/a>, and Why Manners Matter: The Case for Civilised Behaviour in a Barbarous World<\/em><\/a>. She has worked as a researcher at ABC, an official at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a speechwriter to former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley, and a communications specialist for a management consulting firm.<\/p>\n

Scroll down to read Charlotte Wood’s Q&A with Lucinda Holdforth about the importance of speeches, what makes a great speech, the most inspiring speakers in the world today and what to expect from Lucinda’s new book, Leading Lines<\/em>?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\"lucinda<\/a>In an overwhelmingly digital world, aren\u2019t speeches out of date?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speeches are more popular and relevant than ever – in our isolated world there\u2019s rough magic in the communal experience. We come together to breathe in tandem, to experience our own responses alongside each other and, if the speaker speaks truly, in deep connection with one another. The popularity of TED talks shows how much we hunger for leaders in all fields, and movements like #MeToo and #NeverAgain (the US student campaign for gun-control) are being led by brave speakers and great speeches.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not a leader \u2013 why should I care about how speeches work?
\n<\/strong>
\nSpeeches have been an integral part of the democratic process since the classical Greeks. If you care about democracy then you\u2019ll care about speeches. Plus, you\u2019ll be better placed to participate in the democratic process if you have a sense of the art and craft of persuasion.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m terrified of public speaking!! Can\u2019t I just avoid it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The day will come when it\u2019s your voice that really matters. Whether it\u2019s to toast your friend\u2019s success (because only you know what it cost them), or to farewell a colleague (who you knew better than anyone) or save your local park (because you know the full story). Don\u2019t you want to be ready?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve totally lost trust in institutions and leaders. Can speeches really win back trust?
\n<\/strong>
\nNo other form of leadership communication signals personal accountability like a speech. So, yes, leaders\u2019 speeches are an essential part of the process of regaining institutional trust. But the speeches need to change. Too many business and political leaders still assume we want what economic theory says we should want \u2013 more choice, more stuff, more competition, more inequality. They\u2019ve lost sight that people live in societies not economies. And that what we deeply crave is community. Trust will only return when our leaders finally, genuinely, get it.<\/p>\n

Who are the most inspiring speakers in today\u2019s world?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soaring oratory can be appealing. My passion, however, is for effective oratory \u2013 speeches that do the hard work towards getting concrete results. David Attenborough is one such speaker \u2013 he brings the Aristotelian trilogy of mind, heart and character to his arguments for action on climate change. In Australia, Noel Pearson, at his best, is probably our finest orator.<\/p>\n

I have to speak at my brother\u2019s wedding \u2013 can\u2019t I just wing it?
\n<\/strong>
\nNo, I\u2019m afraid you can\u2019t. Ceremonial speeches are incredibly important. We live in a lonely and godless world, and we hunger for rituals that lend significance to our days. Ceremonial speeches are about the things that endure and deeply matter: the things that bind us as a society and a community, the reasons we get up in the morning, fight wars together, keep believing when it\u2019s hard, love each other, remember our stories, and keep to our traditions. Don\u2019t wing it, make it matter.<\/p>\n

I do want to change the world, but I\u2019m an introvert! Can\u2019t I just use Instagram and Twitter to get my message out?
\n<\/strong>
\nI know how you feel! Most speechwriters are introverts with a quiet passion to change the world. That\u2019s why we look for influential leaders to work with: so we can contribute behind the scenes to that better future. Instagram and Twitter have their place, but democratic change still relies upon the awesome power of speeches. Dictators change the world through coercion and force; in democracies we change our world through words. Time to step up.<\/p>\n

Books about speeches are usually about men. Do women get a say in Leading Lines?
\n<\/strong>
\nThis is a major moment for women in public life. Some of the most electrifying case studies in Leading Lines are of speeches by women in business, politics and social activism. I also look at the particular challenges faced by women speakers, and suggest how to deal with them – or ignore them!.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to try public speaking – but where? How do I find my audience?
\n<\/strong>
\nIn NSW the HSC English curriculum now includes a unit on speeches. That\u2019s a good sign. Our democracy is strengthened when citizens are equipped to step up and argue for their views. You\u2019ll find your audience when you know who, or what, you really care about. Then you mustn\u2019t wait to be asked \u2013 just put yourself forward. You have a right to be heard.<\/p>\n

What makes a great speech?
\n<\/strong>
\nAristotle got it right 2,500 years ago. Great speeches bring together logical argument, emotional acuity, and the credibility of the speaker. In recent times we\u2019ve seen many speakers \u2013 including political and business leaders – abandon the sober work of logical argument and rely largely upon emotional hooks, feel-good mantras, and worn-out clich\u00e9s. Great speeches start from mature evidence-based arguments that grapple honestly with the complexity of our world.<\/p>\n

How does this book teach?
\n<\/strong>
\nWith dozens of case studies based upon my own 25-year experience as a speechwriter working with politicians, business leaders and government organisations. I also draw extensively on major speeches from history (and recent events) and draw lessons from fiction, music and film.<\/p>\n

Leaders are busy. Why not just give a press conference, issue a press release\u2026or send out a tweet!<\/strong><\/p>\n

A good speech requires a lot of work, no doubt. But weigh that up against the benefits\u2026 you have the opportunity to tell your story, the way you want to, without interruption. You can anticipate and forestall misinterpretations, refute the doubters, provide a form of words that your people and stakeholders can use, create a unified understanding of your strategy, and carefully lay out your reasoning. People often think speeches are high risk, when in fact they enhance leadership reputations and reduce risk.<\/p>\n

\"lucindaWhy is your book called Leading Lines?
\n<\/strong>
\nLeading Lines is about democratic speechmaking and the art of leadership. But it\u2019s not just for established leaders or would-be leaders. When any individual gives a speech, no matter how small the audience or minor the occasion, they become a leader. They have the precious opportunity to lead their listeners to a new attitude or understanding or insight.<\/p>\n

How much of a great speech is in the words, and how much in the delivery?
\n<\/strong>
\nOf course, as a speechwriter, you would expect me to say that words are key. Abraham Lincoln had a high-pitched voice, but that didn\u2019t undermine his Gettysburg Address. Today, increasingly, speeches are recorded for webinars, staff videos, podcasts and YouTube. I include a section in Leading Lines<\/em> on how to match your great words with a confident, relaxed, unforced delivery.<\/p>\n

Leading Lines is published by HarperCollins Australia and is available to order at Booktopia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Follow us @TheBooktopian<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

ABOUT LUCINDA HOLDFORTH
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"Dr Lucinda Holdforth is one of Australia\u2019s leading speechwriters, with a 25-year record of writing for corporate chairs and CEOs, entrepreneurs, political leaders and senior government officials.<\/p>\n

She provides coaching workshops on speechwriting for corporate and government teams and mentoring for individuals who want to hone their persuasive power.<\/p>\n

She wrote her doctoral thesis on rhetoric and teaches rhetoric and communications at the University of Sydney. She is the author of True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris, and Why Manners Matter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

ABOUT CHARLOTTE WOOD
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"The Australian newspaper has described Charlotte Wood as ‘one of our most original and provocative writers.’<\/p>\n

She is the author of five novels and a book of non- fiction. The Natural Way of Things,<\/em> won the 2016 Indie Book of the Year and Indie Fiction Book of the Year prizes as well as the Stella Prize and has been shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Award.<\/p>\n

Charlotte was also editor of the short story anthology Brothers and Sisters<\/em>, and for three years edited The Writer’s Room Interviews magazine. Her work has been shortlisted for various prizes including the Christina Stead, Kibble and Miles Franklin Awards. Two of her novels – The Children<\/em> and The Natural Way of Things<\/em> – have been optioned for feature films.<\/p>\n

\n

BESTSELLERS OF THE WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"LUCINDA<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Charlotte Wood, acclaimed Australian author of Animal People and The Natural Way of Things, recently sat down for a chat with Lucinda Holdforth, author of the upcoming Leading Lines. Lucinda Holdforth’s previous works include True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris, and Why Manners Matter: The Case for Civilised Behaviour in a Barbarous World. She has worked as a researcher at ABC, an official at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a speechwriter to former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley, and a communications specialist for a management consulting firm. Scroll down to read Charlotte Wood’s Q&A with Lucinda Holdforth about the importance of speeches, what makes a great speech, the most inspiring speakers in the world today and what to expect from Lucinda’s new book, Leading Lines?   In an overwhelmingly digital world, aren\u2019t speeches out of date? Speeches are more popular and relevant than ever – in our isolated world there\u2019s rough magic in the communal experience. We come together to breathe in tandem, to experience our own responses alongside each other and, if the speaker speaks truly, in deep connection with one another. The popularity of TED talks shows how much we hunger for leaders in all…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":86522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[4,6676],"tags":[715,1230,9607,3384,7172,9608,4383,5388,5774,9609,9610],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Social-Lucinda-Holdforth-11.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85397"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85397"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87999,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85397\/revisions\/87999"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}