1. Start at home. Interview somebody you know,
such as your child's pediatrician about new treatments for childhood leukemia,
or your former psychology professor about the origin of phobias. For my very
first interview, I chose my husband, a massage therapist specializing in Thai
massage, as my subject. I sent the manuscript to a local newspaper that
focuses on alternative medicine and New Age topics, but the editor rejected it
because he'd already accepted an article about Thai massage for the next
issue. In his letter, however, he also said that if I had any other ideas, I
should drop him a line. I called him right away (even though I didn't have a
clear proposal for a new article), and he asked me if I could interview an
internationally known psychiatrist and author of several bestsellers for the
November issue. Even though sweat started dripping from my armpits, I said yes
and my very first interview, with my byline, was published two months later.
Start at home, but don't be afraid to venture into new terrain. In other
words, don't aim high for your first few interviews, but accept the
opportunity to converse with a well-known figure if it comes your
way.
2. Do your homework. Tina Kennedy, freelance
writer and former assistant editor of the electronic newsletter
Inklings, says that "to overcome those feelings of intimidation
[concerning interviews] I decided to become, at the very least, an informed
fool." Learn the terminology of the topic you'll be writing on; read about it
so that you can raise relevant questions, questions that the readers would
also like to see answered. When Kennedy started freelancing around ten years
ago, she often wrote a summary of all she knew about an issue before walking
into an interview. She says, "Once I had the summary I could easily decide
what questions needed to be asked and answered. Overall, becoming well
informed, and having a comprehensive outline kept me focused and able to
overcome the fear [of interviews]." For starters, choose a topic you're
already familiar with. For instance, is papermaking your hobby? Why not
interview your teacher, the one who first taught you about choosing fibers,
colors, checking the water's pH? Choose a slant: how to make ends meet as a
papermaker, or papermaking as therapy, or the best fibers for papermaking.
Deciding on a slant will also help you narrow down markets for your final
draft.
3. Use a buffer. Today we're fortunate to have
e-mail, fax, and phones. If that will make you more comfortable, use a buffer
between yourself and your subject. The interview I conducted with the
psychiatrist was done by phone as we were in different states. But even if he
lived in the next neighborhood, I could still have used the phone. There's no
rule that dictates interviews must be done in person. The one I conducted with
Tina Kennedy, who lives in Canada, was done by e-mail. I could have used the
phone, the fax or mailed her a questionnaire. Choose your interview method
based on two things: feasibility and convenience (mainly your subject's, who
is, after all, doing you a favor). It wouldn't have been financially feasible
for me to fly to Canada to interview Kennedy. I had her e-mail address, so I
started by approaching her electronically, and she felt comfortable with that.
Others wouldn't have. As you set up your interview, find out what method would
best suit the two of you. Somebody with a busy schedule may ask that you
forward a questionnaire that can be answered and returned to you. Whichever
vehicle you decide to use, you should always pick up the tab--no collect
calls, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope if the answers are to be
mailed back to you. Other than that, be flexible and creative.
4. Take a deep breath and throw yourself to
the lion. The more interviews you conduct, the more confident you'll feel.
Soon you'll notice the lion turning into a docile
kitten.
