That's such a difficult one! These are all great approaches.
In my very first journalism job, when I was 22, I worked at an IT magazine and one of the things I had to write each month was "5 minutes with ..." an IT manager or Manager of Information Services. I loved doing it because most of the answers were predictable, but the one about "if you weren't [in this job], what would you be doing" was fascinating. I never interviewed a single person in that role who didn't have a very specific, clearly imagined answer. Like one person wanted to manage a big hotel in Europe. Another wanted to build a public sculpture garden. It made me a little sad -- all of those dreams set aside! -- but on the other hand most of them truly seemed to enjoy their work and the lives it afforded them.
What a fabulous question. And I could see the wistfulness of it. It’s funny, here on Substack I have this unrealistic idea that everyone is living their best life so maybe their answer would be, “I’m living it!” Writing here is such a dream “job” most of the time. 🥰
I always have a pile of answers to this (paleontologist, anthropologist, wildland firefighter, Bookmobile driver, surveyor, ...) but in the end it's that I'm curious about so much, which is what writing allows me to explore!
Though there's the reality of how many people can say they're making a full living from writing. Most of my income still comes from copy editing, which I enjoy! But being able to only write for a living would certainly be a dream ... 💚
For sure. A bookmobile would be so fun. Mine are political cartoonist (or just cartoonist), standup comedian, holding the purse strings of a massive foundation supporting artists, service dog puppy raiser. . . . Maybe I DO need a question like that. 🤔
Perhaps you could give your interviewees the option to choose x number of questions from any one of the different styles?🥰 by the way, I love the names for each style🥰
That’s exactly what I was thinking. In this case, the first 4 choices present a coherent menu of interviews “in the manner of —.”Regular readers would look forward to which set the interviewee chooses, as well as the answers.
Tara, if I go that route, you don’t think it would be asking too much of the interviewee? Or annoy them? Maybe I could say, Here’s the six questions unless you’d rather choose from these others? 🤔
Option A: You could have a rotation known to yourself. If I’m a subject, you could say your next scheduled interview is inspired by Marcel Proust, but you’d offer me a link to a static page of interview styles and questions, in case I’d like another. If I don’t look, I get the Proust treatment. If I’m intrigued, I look and say, oh yeah, dish up your best Krista Tippett.
But it’s a little complicated.
Option B: You just rotate interview styles, deciding yourself which will be most interesting for that subject.
Yes, very hard. In my interviews because I love processes I always start with childhood. It has given me an idea to ask my subscribers for questions as I am doing a collaboration without someone outside Substack. But I find him fascinating… he is 70, lived in Japan for 20 years, and is doing a 1250 mile walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. Amazing.
Oh wow. Yeah, to be honest this is pretty artificial because it’s going to be asynchronous, whereas the best interviews are a conversation that changes as you go. That guy sounds amazing tho.
Because of my life, it is easier to do all the Substack reading in one go. I noticed it gives me a chance to really see how your posts are evolving in such a wonderful way.
The last time I had a regular car commute was back when I was teaching computer classes. I would try to finish a few minutes early so I could be in the car by four, just in time for Fresh Air with Terri Gross on WNYC. I'm realizing that was the 1990s! After that, I became more of a Krista Tippett fan, and then several years I'd catch the Rich Roll podcast. These days it's mostly written interviews here on Substack.
For me it when I stopped car commuting. I've barely listened to the radio in 20 years. After a while, I can't even do podcasts. I make an exception for some of the lovely voiceovers here.
Very little people chose the Krista Tippett but I think that they have the potential to result in the craziest and most inspiring interviews.
Yeah - maybe that question about Decartes scared people off? 😂
I loved it! Had to immediately think of Elon Musk and his desire to spread his DNA all over the planet.
Ewwwww!! 🤯😂
He already has 10 children and hopes to have more.
🙄👀
There's even something like hipster eugenics.
If Ghengis Khan could, why can’t Musk, technically speaking?
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/1-in-200-men-direct-descendants-of-genghis-khan
Ghengis Khan is actually his idol. 🤣
But ol’ Ghengis definitely has a head start in the competition.
I don't think Elon would appreciate this comment...
And they look alike!
I love a question about, “what’s a time when you changed your mind?” Maybe about a big belief or just way of approaching something routine.
That’s brilliant! It’s going on the list. Thank you! 😊
I like that, too.
That's such a difficult one! These are all great approaches.
In my very first journalism job, when I was 22, I worked at an IT magazine and one of the things I had to write each month was "5 minutes with ..." an IT manager or Manager of Information Services. I loved doing it because most of the answers were predictable, but the one about "if you weren't [in this job], what would you be doing" was fascinating. I never interviewed a single person in that role who didn't have a very specific, clearly imagined answer. Like one person wanted to manage a big hotel in Europe. Another wanted to build a public sculpture garden. It made me a little sad -- all of those dreams set aside! -- but on the other hand most of them truly seemed to enjoy their work and the lives it afforded them.
What a fabulous question. And I could see the wistfulness of it. It’s funny, here on Substack I have this unrealistic idea that everyone is living their best life so maybe their answer would be, “I’m living it!” Writing here is such a dream “job” most of the time. 🥰
I always have a pile of answers to this (paleontologist, anthropologist, wildland firefighter, Bookmobile driver, surveyor, ...) but in the end it's that I'm curious about so much, which is what writing allows me to explore!
Though there's the reality of how many people can say they're making a full living from writing. Most of my income still comes from copy editing, which I enjoy! But being able to only write for a living would certainly be a dream ... 💚
For sure. A bookmobile would be so fun. Mine are political cartoonist (or just cartoonist), standup comedian, holding the purse strings of a massive foundation supporting artists, service dog puppy raiser. . . . Maybe I DO need a question like that. 🤔
Those are so cool! And yes, maybe?!
My only question is whether any given writer wears pajamas when they write. Without an answer, our understanding of the world is incomplete.
Good one. I might rephrase it to ask if they wear anything else *but* pajamas.
Aren’t ’jammies required required wear for airline flights and shopping malls these days?
Perhaps you could give your interviewees the option to choose x number of questions from any one of the different styles?🥰 by the way, I love the names for each style🥰
Thanks, Camilla. I had fun with it. Great idea to give options.
That’s exactly what I was thinking. In this case, the first 4 choices present a coherent menu of interviews “in the manner of —.”Regular readers would look forward to which set the interviewee chooses, as well as the answers.
Tara, if I go that route, you don’t think it would be asking too much of the interviewee? Or annoy them? Maybe I could say, Here’s the six questions unless you’d rather choose from these others? 🤔
Option A: You could have a rotation known to yourself. If I’m a subject, you could say your next scheduled interview is inspired by Marcel Proust, but you’d offer me a link to a static page of interview styles and questions, in case I’d like another. If I don’t look, I get the Proust treatment. If I’m intrigued, I look and say, oh yeah, dish up your best Krista Tippett.
But it’s a little complicated.
Option B: You just rotate interview styles, deciding yourself which will be most interesting for that subject.
Thanks! I like both of these. Will see how the poll comes out and start sending out invitations soon. (Hint: you’re on the list!) 😉
Your interview is shaping up to be the love child of Terri Gross and Marcel Proust. If Gross got wind of that, it might land you on Fresh Air. 😅
HAHAHAHAAAAA!!
Yes, very hard. In my interviews because I love processes I always start with childhood. It has given me an idea to ask my subscribers for questions as I am doing a collaboration without someone outside Substack. But I find him fascinating… he is 70, lived in Japan for 20 years, and is doing a 1250 mile walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. Amazing.
Oh wow. Yeah, to be honest this is pretty artificial because it’s going to be asynchronous, whereas the best interviews are a conversation that changes as you go. That guy sounds amazing tho.
Such a difficult choice. Of course, I wanted Wendell Berry (I'm a nature girl so of course) but Proust felt so on the mark.
Thanks for weighing in, Stacy! I owe you an email. Soon! 😊
I thought the different styles each had juicy questions!
Thanks, Priya. Maybe I’ll end up using different ones for different writers.
Lots of good questions—I had a hard time choosing just one interview.
Why do you think I threw it out to readers to decide?! 😂 Thanks for weighing in!
These were so fun Julie. I enjoyed reading the choices and it cheered me up today!
I’m so glad! Still hatching this series. Getting closer to figuring it out. Stay tuned.
Because of my life, it is easier to do all the Substack reading in one go. I noticed it gives me a chance to really see how your posts are evolving in such a wonderful way.
Thank you so much! It’s lovely to hear that.
"Are you part of a movement?" What a great question.
I asked it for the podcast and we got some fascinating answers.
The last time I had a regular car commute was back when I was teaching computer classes. I would try to finish a few minutes early so I could be in the car by four, just in time for Fresh Air with Terri Gross on WNYC. I'm realizing that was the 1990s! After that, I became more of a Krista Tippett fan, and then several years I'd catch the Rich Roll podcast. These days it's mostly written interviews here on Substack.
I’ve had a similar trajectory. For some reason, I don’t listen much to either anymore. Maybe too many podcasts now?
Here's another Substack interviewer I really enjoy: https://janeratcliffe.substack.com/s/the-body-brain-and-books. I love Jane's eleven questions.
4. What’s an article of clothing that makes you feel most like you?
Oh, fantastic. Thanks for the link. Will definitely check it out.
For me it when I stopped car commuting. I've barely listened to the radio in 20 years. After a while, I can't even do podcasts. I make an exception for some of the lovely voiceovers here.
And you didn’t even include a Julie Gabrielli!
😂😆
I like them all but the Proust might be a catchy way to describe your series. Love shoutout to Wendell Berry as well.
I only learned about the Proust questionnaire a year ago. It’s fascinating.