The Interview

One of my favourite parts of writing is the interview. This is where I get into the "head" of my client. I'm always well prepared ahead of time with questions. And I have a knack for quickly absorbing information and turning it into copy that resonates with both the client and their target audience.

Sounds like shameless self-promotion? Well, maybe a little, but the point I'm making is I wasn't born with these skills, I've spent years honing my craft.

• My ultra-fast note-taking ability stems from years as a minute-taker at meetings from small business groups to large corporate entities as well as years of transcription experince and being a captioner for the hard-of-hearing.
  
• My interview questions are pointed and meant to elicit exactly the information I need to write the piece. This I have learned from years of interviewing clients, and people for newspaper or magazine articles or advertorials, and from my naturally inquisitive nature, e.g. I'm always interested in what makes people tick.
  
• And the writing. Well, to be honest, I've never attended journalism school or had any formal writing training, I've just been blessed with many great writing opportunities (they don't just magically appear, I go in search of them). But I've had to prove myself, working hard on every project, learning as I go. Now, the many satisfied clients and publishing credits speak to the fact that I must be doing the right thing!

I really love the whole process of writing from concept through to final piece, bringing together thoughts, ideas, quotes, weaving key points in, and adding flavour with the subject's personality. The whole thing just really jazzes me, but it's the interview that really kick-starts the process and is the piece I most enjoy doing.