It’s been super fun but also, my schedule is way overloaded. I didn’t anticipate needing so much time after each interview to listen to the recording, take more notes, and make decisions about what goes on the blog based on how influential or telling of the subject’s personality or potentially inspiring the material is. Humans are so complex and interesting and it’s difficult trying to pick out just one part of an interview. Also, it’s tough figuring out what questions to ask what people, as everyone’s trains of thought are different and everyone has different preferences on how they want themselves represented and interpreted by the general public.
Next week, I’m probably going to go for a lighter schedule with fewer interviews so I have time to give each person’s statements the careful review I promised.
That’s pretty cool. What kind of people have you interviewed?
Thanks! So far it’s just been people I know but hopefully will get some interviews set up with acquaintances soon.
Do you try to ask questions that steer people away from presenting themselves in a certain way? Not in a bad way, of course, just in an attempt to get something that seems more candid.
That’s a tough one. I let them present themselves in the way they want to be presented, then I read in between the lines and make it a habit to ask follow-up questions based on that rather than what they said blatantly. It’s tricky though; no matter what, the things they say will be filtered just because they’re talking to another human. Plus, it’s hard walking the line of things they’re comfortable talking about, period. I don’t want to be intrusive, but I do want candidness and truth. Not yet sure if I’ve found the right balance with any of that yet.
This project is super interesting and I can’t wait to see it progress! What inspired you to choose this as your project?