Legends of Windemere

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Just like before, this was inspired by a class last school year.  I figured if I did tips for one side of the table, I should do it for the other.  Thinking about it now, October is coming up with a bunch of monster posts.  Maybe this interview theme is good way to easy into the kind of scary time.  Guess we’ll find out.

1. Listen to the person asking a question and try not to think up an answer as soon as they start talking.  You might think you know where they are going, but there’s a chance that you will miss something if you aren’t paying attention.  For example, they could bring up specific character, so you think they are going to ask about the inspiration.  Instead, they want to know about a specific event the character went through.  You might not realize this if you’ve already gone into your own head to craft the ‘perfect’ answer to a question that isn’t asked.
2. Try to give more to a question than a simple answer.  Some interviewers won’t know exactly what to ask or think you will go running with a topic.  As long as you’re comfortable, build upon what you say in the first sentence.  It’s like writing a book where you need to expand upon the initial concept.
3. Don’t feel like you have to be rushed for answers, especially if the interviewer appears to be leading you in a specific direction.  Take a breath and think for a few seconds to gather your thoughts.  Speaking vaguely as if to stall for time only helps for a bit and can cause problems.  So, it might be better to say nothing at all.  If you have a drink then take your time having a sip.
4. Keep your temper in check even if the interview is taking an insulting turn.  Once you explode, you give the person what they may have really wanted.  Remain calm and state that you aren’t comfortable.  You can also polite say that you think the interview is going off-topic or that an area they are heading into is private.  For example, an interviewer is asking about your book, but starts heading into the topic of your divorce.  Not their business or on topic, so you have every right to say so.
5. Before the interview, feel free to politely request anything that will make you comfortable. Don’t make demands, but ask if a drink or snack can be made available.  You can even try to ask if a specific venue that you prefer be used.  If they say no to the location then don’t take offense because they may not be comfortable there or have another reason.
6. TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!
7. Watch the interviewer’s body language and listen to their voice tone.  That will help you get a sense of how they are enjoying your responses.  If they are yawning or slouching, you might be boring them.  Part of doing an interview like this is to show that you are worth talking to.  They may have felt that at the beginning, but now you have to prove them right.

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I came up with this post and the one on Friday while I was a TA in an ELA class last school year.  The students had to interview a person, so they were learning about how to ask questions to get deep answers.  This got me thinking about when I did some author interviews and  similar projects while I was a student.  I didn’t think about job interviews though, so these tips might not work there.  Then again, what do I know?

1. Go into an interview with some level of background knowledge.  If you are talking to an author, learn about their books, inspirations, and whatever else you can find.  Check out their blog if they have one.  This information will allow you to come up with questions beyond the basics and create better follow-up questions.
2. Try to avoid ‘yes/no’ and other types of questions that can be answered with a single word or sentence.  This is why planning might be necessary.  Authors might enjoy rambling at length, but you can’t be sure of that.  Some authors can be fairly shy if questions go beyond the book.  Ask about inspirations, concepts that got cut, most difficult of the process, and anything else that might get a conversation.
3. Speaking of conversations, try to treat the interview like one.  A solid conversation is one with back-and-forth, but also depth.  If you’re simply throwing out a question and receiving a simple answer, you aren’t getting the most out of your time.  This is where spontaneous follow-up questions can expand on things.  It might result in other questions getting dropped for time, but you get a more natural flow.
4. LISTEN TO YOUR INTERVIEWEE!
5. Don’t set out to embarrass your interviewee or make them uncomfortable.  There is an audience for ‘gotcha’ questions, but they’re not interested in the author or their book.  They want the type of entertainment that comes from the tearing down of another human being.  Send them to Twitter for that.  You, hopefully, chose to interview this person because you were curious about them, respected them, and wanted to help them get some exposure.  Not to bring them to tears.
6. Do what you can to make your interviewee comfortable.  This can be a relaxing setting, a drink, snacks, or anything that will put them at ease.  You can even ask beforehand if there is anything they would like to feel comfortable.  This will help the interview flow and prevent the event from starting with tension.
7. Pay attention to body language.  This will be a clearer sign that you heading in a comfortable or uncomfortable direction.  Avoiding eye contact, tense muscles, twitching, and many other signs will show if you are heading to an early end to the interview.  You can also figure this out if the answers become more limited and restrained.