[syndicatedjelly]

Write down your answer to that question. If the project was particularly complex, or you were on it for a long time, the answer might be several paragraphs long. Read it out loud, and time how long it takes. The goal is to come up with two versions - one that is 90 seconds long ("elevator pitch"), and another that is 2-3 minutes long. That way you have two options depending on how much time you have to answer the question.

Anticipate questions a listener might have about your project. Write down your answers. Read them out loud. Try to prune those answers to 30-60 seconds.

I can relate a little bit to your last point. Writing in a journal (and writing coherently on HN) seems to help.