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Non-Fiction Writers Workshop
by Carolyn Dekat
Feasibility Chat
Host Carolyn_D:
Welcome to our Non-Fiction Workshop. We are discussing how to study the feasibility of your article idea. If this topic interests you, please join in!
Host Carolyn_D says:
Well, my faithful followers. . . Shall we get started <G>
Host Carolyn_D says:
I'm going to go into the questions that were on the Circle, then if there's time, I'll show you my query letter and let you pick it to death! <G>
Host Carolyn_D says:
It's in its early draft stages and needs lots of work.
Host Carolyn_D says:
From Susan:
How do you approach the person you'd like to interview.
What usually is the motivating factor for someone to do an interview.
Host Carolyn_D says:
Lisa Collier Cool reports (How to Sell Every Magazine Article You Write, Writer's Digest Books, 1986)
Host Carolyn_D says:
"Many inexperienced interviewers are intimidated by the prospect of locating and questioning potential sources.
Host Carolyn_D says:
Often worry is equally divided between fear of refusal and fear of acceptance.
Host Carolyn_D says:
While refusal is always a possibility, I've discovered that most people welcome an opportunity to talk about what they know, and enjoy seeing their names in print."
Host Carolyn_D says:
I think we're having some lag difficulties today, so please bear with me.
Host Carolyn says:
Motivating factor for granting interviews. . .
Host Carolyn says:
Usually the motivating factor is personal pride or a chance for publicity. And kind souls love helping out if they have the time and opportunity.
Elena says:
excuse me for interrupting.. but how do you usually handle this?... do we ask questions in between what you are saying or shall I wait till you've given us the info?
Host Carolyn says:
Ask away when you have a question Elena. If I need to wait to answer, I'll let you know.
Elena says:
cool.... thanks..
Elena says:
so, I'm assuming that by interviews you mean while writing a non-fiction article ?
Barb says:
yes ........asking someone what they think know or feel about a subject you plan to write
Elena says:
I should just watch and learn... but I've never been able to stay quiet...
Barb says:
lol
Elena says:
and how do you decide this person you are gonna interview has the info you need?
Barb says:
as in asking a vet what shots a new puppy needs
Barb says:
and how to feed it before it is full grown
Barb says:
or about potty training it
Elena says:
aahhh... ok, got it.. heheh
Barb says:
finding the people with the info depends on the subject matter
Barb says:
dogs just happen to be a favorite subject with me
Elena says:
I was thinking of interviewing my neighbors great-grandmother to write a story about really old people... life and stuff like that.. but I don't know how to approach her or what to ask her.. heheh
Elena says:
hehe.. get much info from them? heheheh
Barb says:
That could be fairly simple i would think
Barb says:
just schedule a visit and get her to talk about herself
Elena says:
should I tell her that I want to write a story about her? and what about taping her and stuff?
Barb says:
i wiould think that there would be noting wrong in asking her if you could tape her answers and of course your purpose would have to be stated
Elena says:
hehe.. I have no idea where I'm going with it Barb...heheh
Host Carolyn says:
Elena, before you can conduct an effective interview, you need to settle on what your article is going to be about. Are you thinking of a profile piece?
Elena says:
not really... I just love her cause she seems so wise and knowledgeable... I thought all that knowledge should be put on paper somewhere... heheh
Host Carolyn says:
We did a workshop on conducting interviews that has a link on the WWOL page.
Elena says:
but a profile piece sounds good too...
Barb says:
maybe if you started with a profile she would lead you into a specific adventure
Host Carolyn says:
She sounds like she'd make a good human interest piece.
Elena says:
yeah.. she's approaching her 100th birthday...
Host Carolyn says:
Maybe you could zero in on one aspect of her life that particularly interests you.
Elena says:
I suppose people love to write about people who have made it that long eh?
Barb says:
if your close to your neighbor it would make a beautiful family present
Host Carolyn says:
We will eventually touch on writing about interesting people as a subject in itself, too. Just can't tell you when at this point! <G>
Elena says:
you got a point there Barb... that would be nice... a story about their ancestor...
Elena says:
ok Carolyn.. sounds good...
Elena says:
so let's get back to interviewing all those people who can give us info.. heheh
Host Carolyn says:
There would be a wealth of possibilities there for you!
Host Carolyn says:
K. Sounds good! <g>
Host Carolyn says:
How to ask for the interview?
Host Carolyn says:
Collier suggests: "I'm writing an article on X and would like to ask you a few questions about it."
Host Carolyn says:
If you are asked what publication you're writing for, a good reply is: "I'm targeting it to ABC magazine,"
Elena says:
sounds simple enough... right to the point eh? heheh
Host Carolyn says:
or "I have several magazines in mind, depending no the precise direction the interviews take."
Barb says:
oh you mean you can't walk in and say listen jerk i need to know
Host Carolyn says:
Well, Barb, I'd phrase it a bit differently, but essentially, yes....
Host Carolyn says:
LOL!
Elena says:
LOL
Host Carolyn says:
Bottom line is: Just ask. The worst you can get is a curt "no."
Barb says:
I am sure that would get more than a curt hno
Host Carolyn says:
The best you can get is the most wonderful interview you've conducted yet! <G>
Host Carolyn says:
Well, Barb, you are right there!
Elena says:
how about handing out a business card?.. that's how I used to get info from people when I was a lawyer... but then, that was a different sit.. hehehhe
Host Carolyn says:
Well, Elena, I'm sure that could work.
Barb says:
you know business cards now are in
Barb says:
and they are not expensive
Elena says:
yeah.. they can be made on your puter too...
Elena says:
one could just put..."writer" as the title of it...
Host Carolyn says:
It would give you a certain legitimacy.
Host Carolyn says:
Or "freelancer"
Elena says:
Freelance Writer... heheh
Host Carolyn says:
There you go! <g>
Host Carolyn says:
Sure, and if the interviewee needed to get back in touch (something he/she really wanted to say and didn't) you are easy to get back in touch with.
Barb says:
Or even nothing but your name and address
Host Carolyn says:
Good idea!
Elena says:
and if you put your name on it and you can't get the interview right there, they can call you later...
Host Carolyn says:
LaVonne wrote on the Circle: Please explain what are "clips" and "tear sheets". Thanks LaVonne
Host Carolyn says:
For a short but interesting history lesson. . . "Tear sheets" is an antiquated term originating from the time when freelancers were given the page on which their work appeared, torn out of the newspaper.
Host Carolyn says:
The writer pasted his copy from the tear sheets in one-column widths, then used a string to indicate the linear inches.
Host Carolyn says:
The string was held up to a yardstick to see how much he would be paid; they were paid by the inch at the end of the week.
Host Carolyn says:
Today a tear sheet is a copy of a freelancer's published work, as is a clip. When an editor asks for a tear sheet or clip, he/she is asking for a copy of your published work.
Host Carolyn says:
If you have none, then opt instead for a strong bio in the query letter itself and don't even mention the fact that you have no clips!
Host Carolyn says:
Any further questions on tear sheets or clips?
Barb says:
and if you have no bio fly?
Host Carolyn says:
Everyone has a bio. Fact of life--you can come up with a bio.
Elena says:
humm.. so you would send the actual tearsheet of the article that was published or a copy of the article itself?
Host Carolyn says:
A copy will do the trick.
Host Carolyn says:
Just be sure your copy shows the publication and publication date (usually listed at the top/bottom of the page along with the page number.)
Elena says:
and that would include what?.... article? Publication? date?
Elena says:
ok.. you answered my question.. hehe
Host Carolyn says:
Great minds, Elena! <g>
Elena says:
no kidding... I'm beginning to love this... hehehhe
Host Carolyn says:
Ready for Kim's question?
Elena says:
shoot.. heheh
Host Carolyn says:
With me, Barb? <g>
Barb says:
of course
Host Carolyn says:
When setting up an interview, or at least writing a letter to someone asking for one. Can you include the types of questions you will be asking. Or for that matter just ask them , and send a SASE for them to reply if they would like to? That seem less time consuming for them and also they can do it at thier leisure. What do you think?
Host Carolyn says:
As mentioned in the responses to your question, this all depends on the time you have available.
Host Carolyn says:
It can certainly be an effective form of interview for those who tend to shy away from face-to-face interviews or phone interviews.
Host Carolyn says:
Marcia Yudkin explained that the editor of Inklings
Host Carolyn says:
when doing a profile article, actually e-mailed her a few questions at a time.
Host Carolyn says:
She was able to jot off answers as she could, and the interview was accomplished that way. Another option would be to mail the questions and follow up with a phone call.
Elena says:
hummm... yeah.. if you know where you are going with it... but seems to me that asking one question and getting the answer can lead to other questions and other answers....
Host Carolyn says:
Elena--that is an excellent point and one of the keys of effective interviewing.
Host Carolyn says:
A good interview will let the answers from one question lead to questions that draw out details.
Host Carolyn says:
"How did you feel about that?" Describe the room.... Those kinds of things that give detail to your article.
Elena says:
yeah.. well, I've done my share of cross examinations.. hehe... one never lets a potential answer go unquestioned... LOL
Barb says:
i think in a letter of enquiry such as this you need the ol' sales trick of choice
Host Carolyn says:
That legal training is sure going to come in handy here, Elena!
Barb says:
i would like to interview
Barb says:
would you prefer that
Host Carolyn says:
I think I understand what you're saying Barb--offer them the choice of what they are most comfortable with?
Elena says:
what's the old sales trick choice Barb?
Barb says:
yes
Barb says:
never ask a dead in quetion
Barb says:
always leave a choice
Barb says:
would you liek this or that
Barb says:
can you do this or that
Elena says:
I see.... never ask a yes or no question? ... heheh..
Barb says:
is this time or that time best
Barb says:
do you want blue or bluer
Elena says:
but on non-fiction writing... you are dealing with facts...how can you give a choice?
Host Carolyn says:
Good, Barb. Show you're willing to meet them on their terms.
Barb says:
getting the interview is at the others persons discresion
Host Carolyn says:
Well, Elena, I think we're talking more about setting up the interview here than anything else.
Elena says:
ok.. I get you... heheh
Elena says:
I'm getting ahead of myself here.. heheh
Host Carolyn says:
You have a choice--phone, face-to-face, or via snail or e-mail. I personally would opt for the one that seems to suit the situation best.
Host Carolyn says:
If you're on a strict deadline, writing may not be an option.
Host Carolyn says:
Ready for your question, Barb?
Barb says:
yep
Host Carolyn says:
how long you have to keep the articles after you get what information you want to use out of them.
Host Carolyn says:
I'm assuming you mean, when can you clear the research out of your file?
Barb says:
yes
Host Carolyn says:
I'm such a pack rat. I don't know! <G>
Barb says:
LoL i set up a data base for info
Host Carolyn says:
I would say once it's published, you can't go back and check any more facts, so your research sources would have done their job.
Barb says:
and i wondered after the facts where documented if i really needed to keep the articles
Host Carolyn says:
No. Keep track of the sources.
Host Carolyn says:
But if you have the info you need and know how to get back to it if you have to, that's all you really need.
Barb says:
as long as i can prove where who when and why the facts where found then
Host Carolyn says:
you're okay.
Barb says:
that what i was thinking
Host Carolyn says:
Great! See you knew what you were doing!
Host Carolyn says:
LaVonne had one more question and we have just enough time for it.... Ready to move on?
Host Carolyn says:
In two cases, two different magazines published by the same publisher, same street address, same building, different floors of the building and different editors. Am I going to be in trouble for sending queries to both magazines? I am hoping they do not look over each other's shoulders
Host Carolyn says:
Sounds like you're okay unless the editors meet in an editorial meeting every Monday morning and your name comes up twice? <G>
Host Carolyn says:
Actually, this may be a good place to apply that rule of thumb that says to send out half your queries, and wait for the responses in case several editors make similar suggestions.
Barb says:
LOL
Host Carolyn says:
That way you can make changes in the query before trying the second group on your market list. Split up the ones going to the two magazines under the same publisher.
Elena says:
she should be so lucky to have two mags who want to publish her eh? ... I'd love to have that problem...
Host Carolyn says:
It's not a very common problem from what I understand. Actually LaVonne is sending out mass quantities of queries! <G>
Barb says:
we all would elena
Host Carolyn says:
So she may end up with that problem! <G>
Elena says:
what's considered Mass?
Barb says:
how many queries shoul you really send out on one article at a time
Host Carolyn says:
bunches.... I think she said she mailed out 8 the other day.
Host Carolyn says:
I'm not sure Barb. I'd have trouble keeping track of much more than five at a time, I think...
Elena says:
oh good !.. my first thougth when you said mass.. was 100's... heheh
Barb says:
i think 5 would be apporiate
Host Carolyn says:
But if you're organized enough to handle more, then go for it.
Elena says:
mass to me is ONE.... LOL
Barb says:
i think that would be a good cross section or the market to tell you if it is even feasible
Host Carolyn says:
Possibly.
Barb says:
i do not see a quick return on your queries
Host Carolyn says:
But according to Cool, she says don't ever give up.
Elena says:
ok.. question before this is over Carolyn... how do you know all this stuff? heheheh
Host Carolyn says:
Research! <G>
Host Carolyn says:
Barb--it takes a long time. Usually a month or more.
Host Carolyn says:
That's why the professional will have several different article ideas in various stages of planning.
Barb says:
that is what i was thinking about
Host Carolyn says:
Elena--I'm learning, too.
Barb says:
i think 5 or 6 and move on to somehting else
Elena says:
yeah.. sounds about right... give them what they want eh? heheh
Host Carolyn says:
Sure. And it gives you some variety as well.
Host Carolyn says:
Burgett recommends 10 market sources and send out five at a time. But send to the second five if none of the first five bite.
Barb says:
it would keep something in the mail anyway
Elena says:
humm.. I get it now.... that's why people who write books are called to testify as "experts"... eh? LOL... they did it all.. heheh
Host Carolyn says:
:-)
Host Carolyn says:
Well, I guess I'll post my query letter.
Barb says:
ga
Host Carolyn says:
And let the gals on the Circle make suggestions.
© 1998 Carolyn Dekat
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