Thursday, October 25, 2012
Publishing News
Already there's good news from our Tuesday send-out blitz.
PITTSBURGH PARENT has accepted Matt Kochasic's Q&A with Kristin Asplin on "Why Kids Lie."
Look for Matt's piece in PP online soon.
Congrats, Matt!
PITTSBURGH PARENT has accepted Matt Kochasic's Q&A with Kristin Asplin on "Why Kids Lie."
Look for Matt's piece in PP online soon.
Congrats, Matt!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Submission Bombers
Looking for good lit-mag homes for your work? Join Submission Bombers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/submission.bombers/?fref=ts
Assignment Updates: Tuesday, Oct. 23 -- Thursday, Oct. 25
We're about a week behind, so today (Tuesday, Oct. 23), we'll review your revised Q&As and draft cover letters. We'll submit your pieces to your target markets during class.
We'll review interview techniques and begin discussions of some of the interviews from the book.
On Thursday, we'll continue our discussion of the Rolling Stone interviews. Please be sure to have read the following:
TRUMAN CAPOTE by Andy Warhol
KURT COBAIN by David Fricke
COURTNEY LOVE by David Fricke
JOHN LENNON by Jann Wenner
DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON by P.J. O'Rourke
BILL CLINTON by Jann S. Wenner
Your Rolling Stone-modeled interviews will now be due next Tuesday, Oct. 30. Please bring hard and electronic copies to class.
We'll review interview techniques and begin discussions of some of the interviews from the book.
On Thursday, we'll continue our discussion of the Rolling Stone interviews. Please be sure to have read the following:
TRUMAN CAPOTE by Andy Warhol
KURT COBAIN by David Fricke
COURTNEY LOVE by David Fricke
JOHN LENNON by Jann Wenner
DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON by P.J. O'Rourke
BILL CLINTON by Jann S. Wenner
Your Rolling Stone-modeled interviews will now be due next Tuesday, Oct. 30. Please bring hard and electronic copies to class.
Interview: Warhol, Capote and more
New York Times Tips for Crafting Great Interviews
General tips include these:
Research. Read and obtain background information about the subject, source or topic at hand before interviewing so that you can ask informed questions.
Ask simple questions. Keep your questions short, to the point and focused. Otherwise you risk distracting or confusing your subject, or allowing him or her to answer only part of a complex question. Break down complicated questions into shorter, simpler questions.
Limit closed-ended questions; use mostly open-ended questions. Closed-ended questions are yes-or-no questions or those that invite very basic, one-word answers. Open-ended questions often begin with “Why?” and “How?” or phrases such as “Tell me about … ” or “How does that make you feel?” They invite longer, more insightful responses.
Ask follow-up questions. An inexperienced interviewer asks a question, notes the response then moves on to the next question. Don’t stick to the script — listen to the answers and probe further before moving on to your prepared questions. Often it is during a follow-up question that the right quote falls into your lap. “Following up” can also involve a non-question, like a sympathetic response or a gesture of surprise or admiration.
Take notes. While having an audio recorder is helpful, always keep a notebook handy and use it to jot down quotes, statistics or facts that strike you. You might also want to write down physical details about your environment and your subject’s appearance, facial expressions and voice. But be sure to look up from your notebook and maintain eye contact.
Be conversational without having a conversation. Keep the interview informal and casual, not overly scripted, and go with the flow, allowing your subject to switch directions –- as long as you remain in control of the interview and are prepared to steer it back to your topic as needed.
Research. Read and obtain background information about the subject, source or topic at hand before interviewing so that you can ask informed questions.
Ask simple questions. Keep your questions short, to the point and focused. Otherwise you risk distracting or confusing your subject, or allowing him or her to answer only part of a complex question. Break down complicated questions into shorter, simpler questions.
Limit closed-ended questions; use mostly open-ended questions. Closed-ended questions are yes-or-no questions or those that invite very basic, one-word answers. Open-ended questions often begin with “Why?” and “How?” or phrases such as “Tell me about … ” or “How does that make you feel?” They invite longer, more insightful responses.
Ask follow-up questions. An inexperienced interviewer asks a question, notes the response then moves on to the next question. Don’t stick to the script — listen to the answers and probe further before moving on to your prepared questions. Often it is during a follow-up question that the right quote falls into your lap. “Following up” can also involve a non-question, like a sympathetic response or a gesture of surprise or admiration.
Take notes. While having an audio recorder is helpful, always keep a notebook handy and use it to jot down quotes, statistics or facts that strike you. You might also want to write down physical details about your environment and your subject’s appearance, facial expressions and voice. But be sure to look up from your notebook and maintain eye contact.
Be conversational without having a conversation. Keep the interview informal and casual, not overly scripted, and go with the flow, allowing your subject to switch directions –- as long as you remain in control of the interview and are prepared to steer it back to your topic as needed.
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