How NOT to Introduce a New Character
Last night, I stayed up way too late finishing Ben Marcus’ short story, “What Have You Done,” in the New Yorker. Short stories like this one are studies in brevity. You have a lot to do in just a few pages.
And the first thing that gets cut is usually backstory.
Eleven Habits of Highly Effective Interviewers
This week, we’ve heard from some great interviewers—bloggers and journalists who have interviewed presidents (like G.H.W. Bush), celebrities (like Sting and Kevin Bacon), and niche celebrities (like Seth Godin and Steven Pressfield).
If you’ve been following along, you now know:
Interviews are a powerful promotional tool
You should never stake someone out for an interview
However, chasing busy interviewees into elevators and cabs is cool
Dumb questions make for great interviews
When interviewing liars, meet them in person (polar bears, too)
Should You Interview People In Person or By Email?
Most bloggers interview by email. Most journalists interview face-to-face or over the phone.
Why the split?
I don’t blame the bloggers. I once interviewed five Kashmiri men for an article in a newspaper. Kashmiri’s like to talk, and they talk fast. I tried to keep notes, but after each interview, my hand was so cramped it felt like Dauood—with his large, round belly—had sat on it for an hour.
What To Do When Your Interviewee Won’t Talk to You
What do you do when someone doesn’t want to be interviewed?
This has happened to me. When I began working on this series, I made some big asks. I emailed Malcolm Gladwell. His assistant emailed me back, “Malcolm asked me to thank you for your kind invitation to interview, and to apologize for not being able to accept it. Thanks for your understanding.”
You’re welcome, nice assistant. I do understand.
