Episode 31: Cheryl Fusco Johnson—Shy Writers Do It, Too: Enlivening Writing by Harnessing the Power of Effective Interviewing Techniques

Summary: Enrich poetry, fiction, nonfiction and blog posts by unleashing people’s innate desire to share what they know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! This presentation will help you identify potential interviewees, pose questions that elicit intriguing responses, assess technological pros and cons, and evaluate the material your interview produces. We’ll also discuss how to recognize and weave the juiciest kernels of information into your writing project, whatever it is. Cheryl Fusco Johnson honed her interviewing skills in courts of law while serving as a public defender in Washington State. Currently, she interviews newsmakers for The Iowa Source and authors—including Natalie Goldberg, Larry Brooks, and Anne Lamott—for the radio show, Writers Voices.