Interviewing for nonfiction is essential. Nonfiction is not memoir. Readers don’t pick up the Sunday paper to read all the clever and beautiful wanderings of your brain.
For this reason, it is imperative to honor the interviewee’s words. They are the lifeblood of your article. The most bucolic scene imagined will never replace hearing the savory the words of a real, live human being. The deep profundity and irresistible quirkiness of people is what makes nonfiction alive. Sometimes the best stories in the library are not found on the bookshelves, but within the people wandering the aisles.
Even the most dull office building is full of interesting people with interesting opinions and experiences. Stop. Ask. Listen. Learn. Then write.
There are several things a writer can do to ease the process of the interview:
Yet you are also obliged to do their words justice. If the interviewee rambles or talks in circles, don’t print it. You may crop and preen as needed, keeping in the spirit of their message. Journalism requires these kind of judgement calls. Let integrity always come first.
Principles from “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser.
For this reason, it is imperative to honor the interviewee’s words. They are the lifeblood of your article. The most bucolic scene imagined will never replace hearing the savory the words of a real, live human being. The deep profundity and irresistible quirkiness of people is what makes nonfiction alive. Sometimes the best stories in the library are not found on the bookshelves, but within the people wandering the aisles.
Even the most dull office building is full of interesting people with interesting opinions and experiences. Stop. Ask. Listen. Learn. Then write.
There are several things a writer can do to ease the process of the interview:
- Bring adequate materials. Pencil, notebook, tape recorder.
- Chat for a while. Don’t intimidate your subject with your oh-so-official journalist’s notebook.
- Preform a list of questions. This gives direction and saves you from dreaming them up on the spot.
- Be humble but not fearful. Remember people usually like talking about themselves.
- If their speech outraces your writing, ask them to hold on a moment.
Yet you are also obliged to do their words justice. If the interviewee rambles or talks in circles, don’t print it. You may crop and preen as needed, keeping in the spirit of their message. Journalism requires these kind of judgement calls. Let integrity always come first.
Principles from “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser.