I am a terrific interview subject.
Those who know me will attest to my distaste for bragging, so that statement has to be pretty true for me to just come out and blurt it like that. But believe me, I can talk and I don't mind doing so, especially about myself.
This came to mind a few days ago listening to NPR (flagrant lefty that I am) when a famous film director was being interviewed. More than one answer consisted of a single syllable. Some were bordering on contemptuous--for the interviewer. One, a strict softball asking for a plug for the director's next work, was never actually answered.
I've done a good bit of interviewing in my work and have been interviewed a handful of times about my work. Asking the questions is more difficult than answering them, believe me. It takes preparation, knowledge of the subject, insight into the process being discussed and overall context to know which questions should be asked. The interviewer needs to listen to the answers, too, and not just prepare for the next question. A follow-up might be necessary.
For the subject, an interview that is not about foreign policy or a recent deposition should not be a chore. It should be fun--you get to talk about your favorite subject (yourself) at length with the inherent belief that people listening (or reading) are actually interested in what you do. Imagine!
So here are a few tips for being interviewed:
- Relax. The worst thing that can happen is that lots more people won't buy your book.
- Listen to the question. Don't decide ahead of time what you're going to talk about and then not respond to what's asked. It will make you sound like a presidential candidate, and nobody wants that.
- Have a few stories ready. They'll help with making you sound more interesting and can answer some questions with planned responses. Just don't make it sound like you've rehearsed.
- Make sure your stories have endings. If they simply trail off you don't sound like a good storyteller and after all, writing is storytelling.
- Talk to the host, not the audience. Yes, the audience is listening, but trying to speak directly to each of them is a fruitless task. The interviewer is asking you questions. Answer them and the audience, who have chosen to seek out this particular exchange, will follow.
- Yeah, mention your book, but don't wear it out. I know the rule is supposed to be that you mention the title as often as possible, but that's rarely natural. So bring it up when it makes sense, and don't try too hard to work it in the rest of the time or you'll sound like you're trying to mention your title and not so much answering the questions.
- Sound enthusiastic, not psychotic. Of course you should project confidence in your work and exuberance about the work you're discussing in particular. But if you come across as someone who can't talk about anything else or believes him/herself to be the greatest ever, people will get turned off.
- Don't overshare. More often than not the interview is more about your work than about you. So if you find yourself discussing your knitting mystery by telling a story about your traumatic history as a six-fingered harpist with arthritis--and there's no harp in the book--you might be straying a bit from the subject.
- Elaborate when necessary, but feel the rhythm. Conversation (and that's what an interview is) has a rhythm to it. Don't give one-word answers, but don't answer the first question at such length that there's no time for a second.
- Did I mention you should relax?
Like I said, I'm a really good interview subject because I enjoy the process and I can project some fun into the conversation. You don't have to be funny to make a good interview subject, but it doesn't hurt to avoid taking yourself so seriously the audience will consider you pretentious and conceited. Remember to have some fun. It's infectious.
And if you're an interviewer and agree, I'm available.
P.S. Here's where to give money to help Erin pay ridiculous medical bills.
Recent Comments