LUCY BURDETTE: Last week was a little bit nerve-racking, because the Friends of the Key West Library held their second annual fundraising gala featuring Carl Hiaasen. As the president, I had the honor of interviewing him. I’ve interviewed plenty of people over the past 15 years, and have also been interviewed–you would think this would be a cake walk! But I spent the weeks ahead of time worrying about developing clever questions, and making sure I showed him off in the very best light as well as entertaining the 130 folks in the audience. He’s a very funny man so I wanted to give him the chance to tell stories to his fans, and really just stay out of his way.
In my work both as a psychologist, and as an author, I know that one of the best tips for interviewing is to pay attention to what the person is saying, rather than what you are going to say next. A second idea is to focus on knowing enough about the speaker that you can ask questions that are thoughtful, maybe even somewhat new. It all went super smoothly and I had a lot of good feedback about the night.
We have some amazing interviewers in this group. I’d love to hear your tips about how to conduct a great interview, and either a horror story or a big success!
HALLIE EPHRON: I love doing interviews. A highlight was interviewing Elizabeth George when she was a guest of honor at Bouchercon. The thing I appreciate MOST when I’m the one being itnerviewed is when I’m asked, “How do you pronounce your name?” It’s not Holly or Haylee or Nora… Grrr.
As an interviewer it’s: come prepared. Research what the author has said about themselves. Read some of their books. Read their published interviews. I once interviewed Scott Turow and I was so excited to be able to ask how on earth he came up with the plot twist (the howdunnit) of Presumed Innocent. (Turns out his dad was a gynecologist. Who knew?!?)
And, oh yeah, do not interrupt. This is the hardest part for me.
JENN McKINLAY: Ha! That’s the hardest part for me, too, Hallie. Lucy, Hub and I got to see Hiaasen years ago (we're both big fans) when he came to AZ. He is a fabulous speaker! I'm sure you were amazing. As an audience member, I love a good interview. I remember being dazzled by our Hank interviewing James Patterson - soooo good!!! As for me, I haven’t done many interviews on either side of the mic. But I am interviewing GOH Kate Carlisle at Bouchercon in San Diego this year! It should go smoothly because we’ve been friends forever - we’re the “I know where she’s buried all the bodies” type of friends. So, yeah…it should be good. Bwa ha ha.
I will say I find television interviews much more stressful. The idea of it living in perpetuity makes me certain I’ll drop an “F” bomb - Eek! Jenn with Brahm Resnik on KPNX Channel 12's Sunday Square Off - Author Edition
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Lucy, that must have been such fun. And I'm sure you were fabulous! All good advice–be prepared, listen, let them talk. My biggest interview success has been interviewing Louise Penny last November for the Dallas Museum of Art Arts and Letter Series. It was a sold out ticketed event and I was really nervous, much more so than if I'd been the one being interviewed. But Louise is an old friend, I'd done a lot of prep, and Louise has no trouble taking off with a question! I'm still hearing from people about how much they enjoyed it.
RHYS BOWEN: I’ve been on both sides of the mike for plenty of interviews. The worst ones are radio and TV shows on book tour when the host has clearly not read my book and has no idea who I am. So.. uh.. Miss Bowden, Miss Brown… Especially at Good Morning Denver at six am this is not amusing.
Like Debs, my favorites recently have been interviewing Louise Penny when she was guest of honor at Malice and then she returned the favor last year and interviewed me. I like interviews that turn into a relaxed chat, but last year when I threw a question back at Louise she said, “This is all about you!” which is a good point to remember. I’ve been interviewed too many times by an interviewer who wants to put their own stamp on the interview, has an agenda or wants to score points. When I interview, my job is making the person feel relaxed and turn it into a chat between friends. Of course the interviewer should have done her homework and know some funny/different things to ask. Louise and I are good friends and have both talked about when we both believed we were royalty as children. Audiences love that sort of thing. Our own Hank is the example of the perfect interviewer. She wants to make the person shine!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Aw, thank you, Rhys. Awww. xooxo And yes, my entire goal with an interview is to make the interviewee absolutely irresistible. To allow them to be the most fabulous they can be, and to shepherd them into having a wonderful time. I love when they laugh, then I know I’ve succeeded. I deeply read their books, and think about them, and research like mad, and plan plan plan. I do have a list of questions, but do NOT ask them in MY order, but in the natural flow of the chat. I try very hard not to ask long questions, and not to have the interview be about me AT ALL.
I honestly want to know the answers to the questions, and I LISTEN to them, and respond by asking the follow-ups that the audience would want to know.
Three of my recent (and probably forever) favorites: Lisa Jewell, James Patterson, and Ruth Ware. SO fabulous. And such pros. (Oh, yes, and Anthony Horowitz. I had to try not to swoon the whole time.)
(And did you see that James Patterson mentioned me in his autobiography as an interviewer he loved? Awwww. I think it’s on page 178, if you want to look.)
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Hank, I remember asking you for tips on interviewing ages ago when we were getting to know one another. So here’s my first tip: if you have the chance, ask an excerpt. One thing you told me that holds true for live or online appearances? Pick your outfit carefully. Avoid patterns, flashy jewelry, lots of accessories. Readers, if you look at the pictures of Debs and Jenn interviewing, you can see they also took Hank’s advice! The goal is to look neat and professional but not draw attention to yourself.
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| Photo courtesy of Edith Maxwell @ The Wickeds |
When Sarah Stewart Taylor interviewed me at Malice Domestic last year, I was impressed with her skills. We’ve known each other for many years, which always helps, but she had done her prep - she asked questions I had never been asked before, which is so much more exciting than “Where do you get your ideas,” etc. By the way, Rhys, I’ve had that same experience with drive time radio hosts - “So, your book. It’s fiction?”
When Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson started a new series - an action thriller with a religious bent - I was asked to interview them. This was a time when I didn’t have a long relationship with the subject; aside from a Zoom meeting to go over some points, we all went in cold. I think we had a great rapport, however, and I’m happy with the way everything turned out. Looking at this recording reminds me I need to do something about my background, however. My office is just too busy from that angle. I need to set up an interviewing station with a wall o’ books behind me.
Red readers, what was the best interview you've seen? any suggestions about how to be the best guest or interviewer?
And PS, Debs had some very big news this week: #8 on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list!!! We are so thrilled for her!
It is easy to tell when an interviewer has done the homework or not. And when they are excited to be conducting the interview. I love it when you can feel that there is a relationship between them. And I definitely love hearing answers to questions I haven't heard a lot of times before, either the same questions everyone gets or if I've heard the author speak several times before.
ReplyDeleteAnd I should add, congrats on the successful interview, Lucy. It's always a relief when you work pays off and everyone likes what you did.
Deletethanks Mark, that's definitely what we are going for!
DeleteLucy, is there a link you can provide of the interview with Carl Hiaasen? I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to hear it. :)
DeleteIt will eventually be on our Youtube channel, but right now just scrambling to finish the rest of the speaker series! https://www.youtube.com/@friendsofthekeywestlibrary8140/videos
DeleteThanks so much Lucy!
DeleteIt sounds like your interview was perfect, Lucy. The best interviews I’ve seen are the ones in which the interviewer does exactly what you suggested: being prepared and paying attention to what is being said. It’s especially interesting when the interviewer’s questions are thoughtful and bring something special to the discussion.
ReplyDeletethat's it Joan, know the writer and pay attention to what they are saying...
DeleteLucy, sounds like the interview was a success. The best interviews are those that have you wanting more, especially when the allocated time has elapsed.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Deb on #8 placement in WSJ.
We are so proud--Debs is hot stuff!
DeleteThanks, Dru!
DeleteLucy, wish I could have been there!!
ReplyDeleteWhether it is written or in person or electronic, we all know when an interview is good because it satisfies us. I want to feel like I have learned something about the person being interviewed and his/her work, be it an author, a celebrity or a politician. I want to feel like it was "an experience " to be in the audience, even on Zoom.
While it is okay for the interviewer to establish the fact that there is a friendship, when the interview slides into that bog of "remember when we were in Paris together in 1989?" I am pretty frustrated and realize that I won't hear much about the book, or the plans for the next book in series. I have not seen many "Reds" conduct interviews, but I have seen Hank. She is terrific.
Yes Hank is our role model for interviewing! And you are so right about not just telling in jokes and rehashing memories...
DeleteLUCY: Your interview with Carl would have been fun to watch. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteIMHO, HANK is the master interviewer. I have seen her interview so many different writers over the years. And yes, it has been fun to see her being interviewed by others during THE HOUSE GUEST tour. The GBH interview was really good.
The most recent interview I enjoyed in person was at the Minneapolis Bouchercon with GOH WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER and Mindy Mejia. It was clear that they were long-time friends.
Awwwww thank you so much! Xxxxx
DeleteKrueger's tea time interview with Ellen Hart was wonderful, too, Grace. She had to be there via Zoom on a huge screen, but their deep friendship and rapport was lovely, and made the interview feel cozy and intimate, instead of techno and sterile.
DeleteYour wise comments make me realize how much it’s a two way street—being the interviewee is an art as well, right? Let the interviewer lead, don’t yammer on and on, respect the question. And the audience, and the time.
ReplyDeletegood points all Hank!
DeleteYes, and some don't get that, alas. I've seen some interviews that went way off the rails because of the ego of the interviewee.
DeleteVery good advice!
DeleteI'll throw in a slightly contrarian view and say that all the prep in the world by the interviewer won't save the conversation if the interviewee is either reluctant or bored -- or, if not bored, then monosyllabic or skimpy in their responses. IMHO, the best questions can land dead if the interviewee doesn't use them as a springboard for an engaging response.
ReplyDeleteTrue Amanda...
DeleteAmanda, I can't even imagine how hard it would be to interview someone like that. It would be a nightmare. I suppose an interviewer could ask, "So, what would you like to talk about?" LOL
DeleteYes, Judy, it would be a nightmare! Especially on radio, where emptiness is dead air.
DeleteIt's so much fun to watch a good interview... I had a blast watching Lucy and Carl Hiassen. And both of them seemed to have so much fun doing it. I've watched Hank interview many authors and of course she's a pro. So brilliant. The silver lining of covid has been bringing all of us the possibility of watching many more "live" interviews via Zoom.
ReplyDeleteZoom did do that for us, even if we are sick to death of it:). Hallie, you are a superb interviewer as well--always prepared with interesting questions!
DeleteCongratulations, Debs!
ReplyDeleteI always like going to the interviews the Reds are in - on either side of the mic. Loved the interviews from Malice last year!
Thanks, Liz!
DeleteRoberta, I really wish I could have been there for your chat with Hiassen. He's so smart and funny, and I suspect you had a wonderful time asking him leading questions.
ReplyDeleteAlso: dynamite sandals!
I've done a couple hundred interviews, but never in front of an audience. One woman I wanted a profile of for my first book, who had appeared on a TV show for years, refused to do a phone interview (like everyone else). She asked me to send the questions and she'd tape her answers on a cassette and mail it to me. So no follow-up questions on some of her answers. And there was no getting in touch with her, either. This was in 1993, before it was easy to reach people on social media, etc. When I did see her in person, at least once a year, I could not get past that intimidation. It was so weird, especially since her public persona was always so approachable.
Rhys's interview of Louise Penny was so much fun. I knew Louise had a great sense of humor, and of course Rhys does, too, but together, they were a blast. Catriona MacPherson is another really good, non-Red interviewer.
I remember when Craig Ferguson was just starting as the host of The Late Late Show, before it devolved into one long slapstick routine. He actually read really good books, and had fabulous interviews with authors, with thoughtful and well-considered questions. I fell hard for him and got really into his show (staying up way too late, too). The producers must have put the kibosh on that kind of bit, because he quit having author guests. But he was every bit as good as Dick Cavett had been, and surprisingly cerebral.
DeleteKaren, I could not watch Jon Stuart interview anyone. It was painful. He interrupted, he made fun of them. You had to have a steel spine to appear on his show.
DeleteKaren, I was a huge fan of Craig Ferguson in those early days. He's so smart and well-read and I would stay up to watch the author interviews. Sadly, I suspect you're right about those segments not drawing enough audience.
DeleteDebs, have you read either of his books? The novel he wrote is freaking brilliant, Between the Bridge and the River.
DeleteI have read the novel and the autobiography, which is also terrific. I wonder what's he's doing these days?
DeleteOur local morning show has a really terrible interviewer. He never listens, and ahh’s his way through the next question which is never prepared. He wants to make a ‘headline point’ so it will go on the next news report. In a word, really terrible (and I usually just get up and have a shower!) As you probably know we sell eggs, and raise butterflies – the two are not dependent one upon the other. One of our customers, it turns out is a very soft spoken professor who speaks on the programme every two weeks about Acadian Affairs. We figured this out weeks after meeting him, so unassuming was he. He was always so interested in the butterflies and what was going on – just normal chit-chat, I presumed. Late in tagging season, he said I had a story to tell and asked me if I would be interested in going on CBC and telling the story of the Monarchs. No way, I said. So & so is such a terrible and irritating interviewer. He replied “yes he is”. I then asked how he could stand being questioned by him every two weeks, and he replied, “I never stop talking, so he can’t get a word in edgewise – soon the time is up, and I get my message across.” Hits him with a soft stick…
ReplyDeleteOnly 10 weeks until I read up on Gemma and Duncan…
Margo, LOL!! That is hilarious! Some interviewers make every guest look like the subject of a 60 minutes investigation. That soft-spoken professor had his own technique.
Deletethat is very funny, and tragic too!
DeleteI just found a blog post I wrote about Murder by the Books owner McKenna Jordan's zoom interview with Ann Cleeves, sitting at her kitchen table in Northumberland talking to Houston. Excellent interview with lots of insights about Ann's writing process, three different main characters, and settings.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I'd seen that!
DeleteExcellent advice, all - I'm taking notes!
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful interview has give and take, spontaneity, and a sense of engagement on both sides--the sides here being the host and guest AND the audience. Hate it when the audience is basically ignored!
ReplyDeleteAnd a big shout-out to Deborah! I did it!! I read A KILLING OF INNOCENTS from cover to cover. And in one sitting, I might add. I was afraid to start the book--afraid I wouldn't be able to give it the attention it would deserve, but it was such a pleasure to finally find myself totally engrossed in a book again. Might have to read it a second time :-)
So right about the audience engagement! At Bouchercon Minneapolis Dennis LeHane interviewed SA (Sean) Cosby, and they devolved into bragging about how much money they made from writing. It was supremely off-putting. That was a conversation they should have definitely had in private.
DeleteFlora, thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed the book. I hope it's a start to getting your reading mojo back!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOh, well done, Deborah! I like to watch a good interview with smart people. Just recently I was missing watching Graham Norton's show. He is outrageous and funny, but also extracts some great stories from his guests. And HE does not dress conservatively! Has anyone ever been interviewed by him?
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I'd put being interviewed by Graham Norton on my aspirational list! He is terrific.
DeleteI can’t think of any specific interview that I thought was particularly good or bad. (I’ve heard good ones and bad ones, but I’m at the age where I just can’t remember everything right away!) However, I’ve heard too many interviewers interrupt the interviewee on almost every question so that I never learned anything about the person. It always makes me feel sorry for the person being interviewed!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Lucy, congrats on the success of your latest interview.
ReplyDeleteI have no tips to offer though. Though I've been writing online since 2005, I've done exactly 3 interviews in all that time. I strictly adhere to doing CD or book reviews but the three interviews were can't miss opportunities so I did them.
Particularly regarding musicians, I refuse to do interviews because if they turn out to be jerks, it would affect how I feel about the music. I'd rather not be in the know so I can still enjoy the music.
The interviews I did do however, were three different styles. I did an interview with Hank that was live in person after a book signing she did in Mattapoisett. I prepped, had my notes and recorder and I think it turned out well. (You'd have to ask Hank for confirmation on that last part).
The next interview I did was a phone interview. That was with Leather Leone, a singer I've adored for three decades. I had the recorder for the audio set up, plus every piece of music I owned that she had recorded, all my questions printed out covering each aspect of the interview I wanted to touch on. Hell I even had my concert ticket handy for a show that ended up being cancelled. And that interview went great. She called my house (that is still cool to me, BTW) and off we went. My boss at KNAC followed up with her after I was done to check and see how it went and she gave great feedback.
The third and final interview was with the band Illusory. That was an email interview. It didn't really allow for much in the way of follow up questions but since they are from Greece, the time difference and the potential language barrier made it the best way to do it. And that was excellent because I was then, and still am now, quite enamored with the album that they were promoting at the time.
I don't see myself doing any more interviews but you never know if something might come along that makes me want to do the job.
Eagerly reading because I am interviewing Deb a week from today!
ReplyDeleteSo excited, Barb! We will have a great time!
DeleteOh, that's one to watch!!!
DeleteCongratulations on your interview with Carl Hiaasen, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteAgreed that it is important to do your homework before interviewing an author. When I was in school, we were assigned to interview someone of our choices and we HAD to do our homework and research first before interviewing the person. In my opinion, the questions make sense when I do my homework, right?
A few questions for ALL of the JRWs:
Wonder if any of you were interviewed by schoolchildren for their school projects?
Does it help or hinder the interview if you Already are good friends with the author you are interviewing?
Do you interview IRL or Zoom /FaceTime or by email?
Delicate question: No names please.
Just wondered if you ever interviewed someone who was rude to you or having a bad day? And how did you handle it?
Great topic today!
Diana
Diana, I did some grade school teaching about writing mysteries. Their first question was almost always "how much $ do you make?" LOL
DeleteLucy, this sounds like their teacher did not see their interview questions before they asked you these questions. I was surprised there was not a child interested in becoming an author.
DeleteDiana
Lucy, thanks so much for the shout on the WSJ list! I'm still pinching myself. And I should mention that that's my lovely daughter in the photo with Louise and me. And that I am so excited about my visit to Key West where I not only get to see Lucy/Roberta but Hallie and Barb Ross! I don't guarantee I'll live up to Carl Hiaasen on the interviewee front, however.
ReplyDeleteSuch helpful comments from everyone today. Great post idea, Lucy!
What a delightful topic, and I'm sure your Hiassen interview was fabulous, Lucy. I saw all the Malice interviews mentioned and loved them. When I'm tapped to be a guest of honor (ha, dream on), I'm going to ask for NOT a tall stool. These short legs can't handle that.
ReplyDeleteI haven't interviewed anyone famous (yet), but I'm going to follow all these tips when I do!
(I'm tuning in late today because we left the western mountains of Puerto Rico at 4:30 this morning to get Hugh and one of my sisters to the airport by 7. Now my bestie and I are ensconced in a beach cottage on the east coast for a few days. And yes, the wedding was fabulous...)
Ha, Edith. I was just looking at the photo of Lucy and Carl Hiaasen at the Key West library and wondering if my feet were going to reach the bottom rung of the stools!
DeleteI still remember Hanks' interview of Sue Grafton at California Crime Writers - Sue is happy to be in conversation and Hank picked up on that kind of quiet approach. Debs will be GOH at this year's CCEW conference and I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteA good interview is such a joy! My main complaint is when the interviewer injects too many of their own stories into the conversation and changes the focus.
ReplyDeleteLucy, I would love to see your interview of Carl Hiaasen. I read in the comments above that the interview will be available soon. I'll be watching that for sure. I saw him speak some years ago, not in an interview, and I laughed from the beginning to the end of his talk. Anyone who has a chance to hear him speak or in an interview, please do it.
ReplyDeleteI love to watch interviews with the Reds interviewing each other or their close friends. It's always a relaxing chat, no awkwardness at all. And, Hank, you really should give a class on interviewing authors. You said in this post, "I honestly want to know the answers to the questions," and that is so major to an interview's success. If the interviewer isn't engaged and interested in what the person interviewed is saying, why would the audience be. Along with that is Lucy stating, "to pay attention to what the person is saying, rather than what you are going to say next." I can imagine if interviewing someone, I would be worrying and thinking ahead to what I was going to go to next, and that would definitely take away from the interest and attention you're paying the interviewee. Hallie, not interrupting would be hard for me, too. In my enthusiasm or interest, I can imagine jumping in with a related remark or two. Rhys, you talk about Louise telling you that the interview was all about you, and I think you were a great example of this in the Poisoned Pen interview/conversation you did with Debs about A Killing of Innocents. You tempered your participation to let the spotlight shine of Debs. Julia, I bet it is a great change to receive a new question, although I will note that few people see every interview an author's done, and so the audience wants to hear some of the repeated stuff, too. In keeping with your delight in answering a new question, I've only done paper interviews with authors, but my last question is always to ask what talent or interest the author has that isn't about her writing. I've gotten answers from playing different instruments to collecting items to being a hop-scotch champion (ok, I made that one up, but you get the idea). Jenn, I feel your anxiety about being taped in perpetuity. I have found myself trying to be careful on a Zoom sometimes.
Debs, a huge congratulations on being #8 on the Wall Street Journal list. You know how much I loved A Killing of Innocents. Your success is so well deserved.
Thank you, Kathy! Big hugs!
DeleteI'm so glad that your interview with Carl Hiaasen was a big success, Lucy, and, Debs, it's great news that your book is selling as well as it deserves to! All of you have provided so many good tips about being a good interviewer and a good interview subject. Thank you. I've been interviewed a few times for radio and podcasts since PESTICIDE came out ten months ago (nothing important but still a new experience), and I was aware even as I was speaking that I was having trouble answering the interview's questions straightforwardly, without interrupting myself to qualify what I'd just said or going off on tangents. As several of you have pointed out, there's an art to being a good interviewee as well as a good interviewer. If I ever have to interview anyone in public, I'll take tips from this post! Sounds like I need to watch a number of you Reds in action as interviewers to get my lesson in the art of interviewing authors about books.
ReplyDeleteI have a pet peeve. So many amateur interviewers turn the interview to themselves. I don’t really care about their personal experiences or much of anything else about them. I want to know more about the person being interviewed, their anecdote and trail and tribulations in the world of writing. It’s so easy to tell when the interviewer is more interested in the interviewee that in herself.
ReplyDeleteOther than the excellent people here, my favorite interviewers are Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and the inimitable Catriona McPherson. They all make me feel as if they’ve waited all their lives just to talk to this one person. It’s an inborn skill I thinking. They are incapable of screwing up an interview!