The Interview Process
Hello dear reader,
You may know from my last post that I’m currently at the gathering information stage for an anthology that I’m compiling called Take the First Step, Unique and Inspiring Stories of Women in Small Business
An anthology is basically a selection of stories or writings by various authors often around a particular theme. Interviews are an excellent way to conduct research for anthologies so that’s the method I’m using.
I love interviewing people, its great fun, and an honour to share someone’s story. Stories are powerful. They celebrate people’s lives - the ups, the downs, the passions, the fears – in the words of Brene Brown they are ‘’ data with soul’.
How do I collect stories? A quick outline
There are a few steps in this process.
My book is completely built on stories. Each chapter is devoted to one woman telling her unique story in a question-and-answer format.
The more stories I collect, the more patterns and themes emerge. This is great because it helps me with the outline of chapter groupings in an organic way. Yay!
My process starts by choosing an inspiring person I would like to interview or that someone has recommended to me. I trust my instincts here.
If they’re agreeable, we’ll set up a meeting. At the meeting I’ll ask them to fill in a release form giving me permission to use their stories.
Then I will either record the interview on my iPhone or use Zoom, which can also record. If someone is super busy, I suggest a 15-to-20-minute chat on the phone.
When the interview is complete, I edit and transcribe the interview onto a Word document, print it out and set it aside for later. This step alone is worthy of a future blog post.
How do I collect stories? The details:
1) Set up the interview.
Put together an interview invitation – a short, clear, simple blurb on the topic and purpose of your book, what information you’d like to find out and any credentials you may have.
Create a list of questions around what you would like to know and what you think your reader might be curious about.
Email is a great way to send your invitations. Don’t forget to include your name and contact details and any website/socials link.
I also include the list of interview questions. It gives people time to think and to prepare.
2) Prepare
Preparation is key. Do an internet search to find any articles, interviews, or stories about your interviewee. See if they have a webpage or socials. If they have a book, read it.
This sort of preparation allows you to ask informed questions. Get a basic understanding about their area of expertise.
Also make sure, the night before the interview that all your equipment is charged and running properly. You don’t want your phone to redline at a crucial moment!
Set up the interview in a place where you are both comfortable. This could be at your home, their home, their business place, a local café or even a park.
3) The actual interview.
Make sure you leave plenty of time to find your meeting place. It’s no fun getting lost on the day running frantically up and down the road getting drenched in sideways rain, and then arriving late all flustered – no fun - trust me, I have done this!
Most of my interviews have been done ‘in the field’ using the recording setting on my iPhone. Otherwise, I use Zoom which can also record.
This frees me up to focus on enjoying the conversation without having to take lengthy notes. I just jot down the odd word or two that might jump out at me.
Don’t forget to ask your person’s permission to record.
Start off the interview with general chit chat to put your person at ease. Relax! At the end of the day, it’s just a conversation.
Be confident and excited and trust your instincts, really listen to what your person is saying.
I find that an interview will take on a life of its own once we get going. The questions are there mainly as a guide to make sure I’ve covered everything.
4) After the interview
Make sure the person has your contact details and check that you have their correct contact and business details, especially check spelling. Thank them and encourage them to contact you if they think of anything else.
5) Expect the unexpected
Expect technical hitches, like the internet randomly cutting out completely on a Zoom call or the recording not working properly. Don’t stress, do what you can, it’s not the end of the world and these things have a way of working themselves out!
In a nutshell
Be prepared
Be relaxed
Listen well
Let your curiosity guide you
Have fun
It’s a total privilege to share and hold someone’s story. Every interview takes on its own persona and is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible. Stories encourage, empower, and uplift people around them in a powerful way.
Until next time
