Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Smile at Harper Lee's Wry Trick to Overcome Public Speaking Fears The pep talk from this reclusive writer will make you laugh.

By Linda Lacina

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Pulitzer Prize winner and To Kill A Mockingbird author Harper Lee.

Harper Lee was best known for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. But the late author was also famous for her reclusiveness. The book's commercial and literary success -- it won a Pulitzer prize -- would eventually force her from the public eye.

Related: 10 Powerful Harper Lee Quotes

Of course, it seems the famous author, who would have turned 91 today, was never really comfortable in front of a crowd, as revealed in a new book, Mockingbird Songs: My Friendship With Harper Lee. As letters published in the book show, the author hated public speaking and would often vomit before going on stage.

To trick herself, Lee developed what she wryly called a "mantra of great egotism." The short internal chat, as reported earlier today in the New York Times, went as follows:

"I'm older than anybody here, I know more than anybody here, so why should I be so afraid of anybody here?"

Related: 10 Powerful Elie Wiesel Quotes

According to Lee, this trick is effective -- for around 15 minutes. So keep it in mind for your next speaking engagement and plan accordingly.

Linda Lacina

Entrepreneur Staff

Linda Lacina is the former managing editor at Entrepreneur.com. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money, Dow Jones MarketWatch and Family Circle. Email her at llacina@entrepreneur.com. Follow her at @lindalacina on Twitter. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At 16, She Started a Side Hustle While 'Stuck at Home.' Now It's on Track to Earn Over $3.1 Million This Year.

Evangelina Petrakis, 21, was in high school when she posted on social media for fun — then realized a business opportunity.

Health & Wellness

I'm a CEO, Founder and Father of 2 — Here Are 3 Practices That Help Me Maintain My Sanity.

This is a combination of active practices that I've put together over a decade of my intense entrepreneurial journey.

Business News

Remote Work Enthusiast Kevin O'Leary Does TV Appearance Wearing Suit Jacket, Tie and Pajama Bottoms

"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary looks all business—until you see the wide view.

Business News

Are Apple Smart Glasses in the Works? Apple Is Eyeing Meta's Ran-Ban Success Story, According to a New Report.

Meta has sold more than 700,000 pairs of smart glasses, with demand even ahead of supply at one point.

Money & Finance

The 'Richest' U.S. City Probably Isn't Where You Think It Is

It's not located in New York or California.

Business News

Hybrid Workers Were Put to the Test Against Fully In-Office Employees — Here's Who Came Out On Top

Productivity barely changed whether employees were in the office or not. However, hybrid workers reported better job satisfaction than in-office workers.