“Take It to the Stage!” (Terrifying, But Interesting)

 A friend said something to me recently that made me laugh… and then immediately panic.

They said:“You should take the book to the stage as a stand-up routine.”

Reader. My soul left my body.

Because yes, the book is funny. And yes, there are moments in it that, when I tell them out loud, people do that glorious involuntary snort-laugh that feels like a tiny standing ovation.

But stand-up?

That’s not just telling a funny story. That’s standing under a spotlight while strangers silently judge whether you’re worth their attention.

That’s bravery. That’s timing. That’s stage presence. That’s the ability to recover when a joke doesn’t land without visibly dying inside.

And I don’t know if I’m brave enough for that.

I’m the kind of person who can write something bold on a page, then reread it later and think, Who gave me permission? I can be fearless in private, in my notes app at midnight, in a manuscript draft where nobody can interrupt me.

But a mic and an audience?

That’s a different kind of courage.

And still… the idea won’t leave me alone.

Because when I imagine it, I don’t imagine a perfect stand-up set with slick punchlines every ten seconds.

I imagine something more like a storytelling night. A hybrid. A “let me tell you what happened on these dates and why it nearly finished me” evening. Something honest, messy, and very human — with laughter as the release valve.

And maybe that’s the point.

Maybe I don’t have to become a full-blown stand-up comic overnight. Maybe I just need to experiment. Try an open mic once. Do a five-minute slot. Test a little story. See if I survive.

I’m not saying I’ll definitely do it. I’m saying I’m thinking about it... Am I mad?

But I will say this: it’s made me realise something.

When you put creative work into the world, people start reflecting possibilities back at you. You begin to see your own work through someone else’s eyes, and sometimes they see you being braver than you feel.

So who knows.

Maybe one day I’ll be on a tiny stage, telling the tale of a truly unhinged date and watching a room full of strangers howl with recognition.

Or maybe I’ll stay exactly where I’m happiest: behind the page, letting you laugh in the safety of your own home, tea in hand, dignity intact.

Either way, it’s nice to know the stories have life beyond the book.

And if you’ve ever had someone suggest something that both thrilled and terrified you… welcome.

That’s the fun part of being alive, apparently.

If you’d actually come to something like this, tell me, I need moral support and at least one friendly face. Reach out to me at https://x.com/NellaDAuthor