At the beginning of each class of the Un-Cab Lab Writing & Performance Workshop, you get a chance to ask questions about your creative process. A couple of weeks ago, someone asked how to deal with the negative voices in her head that distracted her from giving a great performance.

Here's Beth's answer:

Quiet your own voices (and find out what they're trying to tell you). Audit the workshop on Saturdays, April 18 & 25 (1-4pm) - only $10 per class.

Register now for super sale prices on the next session: Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23 (1-4pm). Classes meet at M-Bar, 1253 N. Vine LA 90038. Call 323-993-3305 or e-mail for more info.

DON'T LIVE IN FEAR!

1. Stop thinking about how nervous you are. Remember that almost everyone is nervous almost every time. So what?

2. Start thinking about something specific you want to say, that you really want to communicate.

3. Have a conversation with someone else. The bartender, someone in the audience, another person who’s going onstage. This gets you out of your head and into your voice.

4. Do some deep breathing. This is very calming and centering and grounds you. If you don’t know deep breathing techniques, go to a yoga class, search it online, or watch this space for future tips.