Listen to this lesson (1:06)
[audio:http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/authorcartel/Rule%202.9%20-%20interview.mp3]It’s your turn. Interview an author, writer, or blogger.
Start by reaching out to your friends and family over Facebook or email for any writers they might know. If not, you can ask to connect with a more experienced writer in the Story Cartel forums.
Then, just follow the steps from the last lesson:
- Email your fellow writer.
- Ask to chat over the phone or, if possible, in person.
- Meet them and ask the three most important questions (their story, what would they do in your shoes, anyone else you can talk to)
- End on time!
- Follow up with a thank you note.
That’s it!
Once you finish your information interview, share your story with us in the forums, along with any fears or doubts you have right now.
Good luck!
In the next lesson you’ll learn more about the kinds of people you need in your Cartel. Ready to move on?
I just sent out an email to a local author. I hope she responds!
Good for you Joy! Good luck!
I received a reply today. 🙂 we’ll be chatting next week!
Though I realize why a more personal contact is best for this assignment, the introvert in me hates phone calls. Haha…
I used to too, Sunny! Hate hate. Now as long as I do my research about them beforehand and can be walking while we talk, I’m usually fine. Practice, unsurprisingly, works.
Listening to your interviews, I’d never guess you hate talking on the phone. Gives me a little hope!
Ha! I’m glad to hear my pain gives you hope, Sunny. 🙂
I hate making phone calls too. It didn’t help that I worked for a stint in the correspondence department of a call centre. Stats, stats, stats, productivity target this, quality target that. Believe me there’s nothing more daunting than phoning a customer up, asking for more money.
I guess you have to expect most things that are worth doing to feel daunting the first few times, and then they get easier with practice.
I worked as a switchboard operator for my family’s (very busy) business and a doctor’s office for a while. That’s probably why I avoid the phone as much as possible now. 😛
I can do it!
A couple of days ago, I was talking to a woman I know through volunteering, about setting up a blog. She told me that she has a friend who lives locally who published a memoir earlier on in the year. I haven’t asked about interviewing him, but I’ve expressed an interest in reading his book, and reviewing it. I think if I approach it in the right way, then he may be flattered that I’ve showed an interest.
Absolutely! You should definitely do it, Katie. 🙂
Just finished my phone interview with a very sweet woman. Going to work on the assignment so y’all can learn from her, too!
Email requests just sent to 3 authors with whom I have a passing acquaintance. I’ll let you know who responds and how the interview goes.
Awesome, Jim!
I just set up an audio interview with Charles Yallowitz, a published author from Long Island, New York.
I’ve uploaded the audio interview at Google, Audio Interview with Charles Yallowitz, a fantasy author.
Great interview, James! Thanks for sharing
I’ve just sent an email to an author I know from way back. He’s published a trilogy of fantasy novels, has written for the radio, and is about to publish his first children’s picture book. We’d lost touch, but thankfully, he remembered me.
He said I could phone him any time. He’s in meetings next week, but is free the week after. I’m planning on calling him the week after, and will let you know how I get on.
So cool, Katie. It could be huge to have that kind of friend!
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