elocution resources?

[cheech]

does anyone know of any good books or websites (or anything really) for elocution?

i don't speak very clearly, and often have to repeat myself or have trouble making myself understood, especially when drunk or with people i don't know. this can be frustrating, and damages my confidence in social situations

resources for improving your speaking voice would also be appreciated. i have "set your voice free" by roger love, but havn't done an of the exercises in it yet (no tape recorder)

thanks,

chica

[Swannie]

Get comfortable talking loudly and clearly.

It took me a good hour of talking to myself in a hotel room before I no longer felt uncomfortable with the sound of my own voice. You need to know and accept where you are now, squeeky, whiney, scratchy - however you sound.

The tape recorder can be a horrible shock, and turn you away from doing any work, because of how "bad" you sound. But you need to be able to listen to yourself and hear "you" and not worry about the imperfections.

It's self esteem. It's kind of important. You might find looking at yourself for 10minutes in the mirror - really looking into your own eyes - an interesting exercise to do too.