I was interviewed for a podcast for The National Writing for Children Center today. The podcast should be up on their site sometime next week. I’ve never done a TV interview before (I’ve only been asked to do one once — right after M is for Minnesota came out. And I turned it down), but I have done radio before. Doing a podcast is kind of like doing a radio interview. And I’m not normally any more excited about doing radio interviews than I am about doing TV interviews. Even though the audience can’t actually see you on a radio interview, they can HEAR you. So you have to sound articulate. And there usually isn’t a whole lot of editing of the actual interview (sometimes the interview is even LIVE!), so whatever you say, that’s what goes on the air.
Still…the podcast thing went okay. (I wouldn’t blog about it if it hadn’t gone at least okay…) I didn’t stumble over my words TOO badly. I did have a few ah’s and um’s…probably not as many as I would have had if I hadn’t joined Toastmasters last fall. It helped that I had the questions ahead of time and knew what was going to be asked. And Suzanne was a very nice interviewer (I’ve known her online for many years, so it was nice to hear her voice).
The one thing I didn’t think about until after the interview was over was: with a radio interview, you do it and it’s gone. Very few people will ever find the interview again once it’s been on the air. But a podcast could be around forever! I HOPE I was articulate.
The more of these kinds of things I do, the more comfortable I’ll get with them. So I’m glad I had the opportunity. And I know it’s good to do things like this…just like it’s good to eat vegetables. And exercise. I’ve gotten to the point where I actually enjoy vegetables and exercise, so maybe one day I’ll enjoy being interviewed and doing speaking engagements? (I already enjoy SOME speaking engagements…I enjoy talking to KIDS…it’s grown-ups who scare me.)
Congrats about the interview! Sounds great!
I know about being nervous–I just did a half-hour cable TV interview last week (it hasn’t aired yet…probably on Monday). I was soooo nervous. I’m still unsure if I’ll have the courage to look at myself on TV when it comes on. But I do know I did okay. And I think others (especially writers) should enjoy watching it.
It felt so good afterwards when I finished because I’d done something out of my comfort zone. Sounds like you felt the same way. Good for you!!
Linda (still waiting and hoping on an agent…)
It’s good that you can separate out your own nervousness and realize that other people might enjoy seeing you!
Actually, I realized I lied! I HAVE done an interview for a cable access channel in my hometown (not to be confused with the town I live in now). I donated some of my books and manuscript pages to the county museum’s new exhibit on local authors and there was a Grand Opening celebration for this exhibit and the TV people were there and I didn’t have an opportunity to say no. They just turned the camera on and started asking questions. They sent me a tape afterwards…I’ve never watched it.
Your Book Bites for Kids Interview
Hi, Dori,
I thought you were GREAT on Book Bites for Kids! And, you even inspired me to start getting some DAILY exercise, since I’m also a writer – one who tends to stay glued to my computer too much.
Listeners are already starting to send me emails telling me how much they enjoyed the podcast! Thanks again.
Happy writing!
Suzanne Lieurance
Book Bites for Kids – The National Writing for Children Center
http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com
Re: Your Book Bites for Kids Interview
Well, you were a good interviewer. That helped! 🙂