Interviewing 101

One of the best ways to add a personal touch and details to any piece of writing you are working is to get first-hand details from a person. Well, duh, right? But it’s easier said than done. Most people really don’t like to talk about themselves, so you’re going to have to help them out.

I’m a professional journalist and have been interviewing people for 25 years. But don’t think I’m any kind of expert. I still get the butterflies if I need to interview a high-profile politician, or a sobbing child who’s lost their dog.

We talk often in writing about having your own voice in your piece. But in my opinion we don’t shut up enough when we write. I think it’s equally as important to let the voice of our subjects speak for themselves. Here’s some ideas I’ve learned over the years.

Ask questions. It’s often said that you never know unless you ask. I can’t tell you how many interviews I’ve gone into expecting a source to stay quiet, only to be shocked when they spill the beans after I asked them a leading question. If you want to know the answer to something, ask them. The worst they can do is not answer the question. Even better, go in knowing the answers to your questions. When I used to cover the Mayor’s office for a major daily, he had a general disdain for the press. But I let him know in no subtle terms that he needed me more than I needed him. By letting a source know you know the answer to a question, it puts them on the spot to give their side.

Then, be quiet. Once you get someone talking, let them go. Chances are once they become comfortable about talking about a topic, they will keep going. Or maybe they aren’t comfortable, and that’s why they keep talking. Sometimes, that’s what you want.

Ask for description. Don’t try to describe a scene by yourself if you weren’t there. When you interview a subject, ask them for as much detail as they can remember. What did it sound like when the plane came down? Can they describe the look, feel, or even the sound of the Northern Lights? (I’ve seen them in Iceland, and the electricity in the sky makes a unique buzz).

Have them open up about memories. Let’s say you’re talking to Grandma about her life, and you plan to write about it as a family keepsake. Ask Nana about things she remembers about milestones in her life. Chances are she has fascinating memories of growing up in a simpler time, hard times surviving (and probably falling in love with your grandfather) during the war, and interesting opinions about how the world has gotten way too complex and big. Allow her to speak her piece and write as fast as you can to get it all down in her own voice.

Be wary of anonymous sources, but don’t be afraid to use them. There is an awful lot of talk these days about whether or not it is journalistically correct to use anonymous sources. I say that in all cases possible, use sources that are willing to speak on the record and with attribution. That’s not always possible, and I certainly have used my share of anonymous sources in my writing. You have to be careful; there are some sources who will use you to try to defame another. You need to make certain they know you will do your due diligence and seek out the truth. If a person gives you some juicy information, you can bet someone else knows it, too. Make sure you seek out those sources and back the information up.