Have you ever read a great book and then YouTubed the author hoping for a great interview? If yes, sorry for your disappointment! I remember the first time I watched Anne Lamott being interviewed for her masterpiece Bird By Bird. Instead of listening to the eloquent words I was used to reading, I watched an awkward exchange decorated with incomplete thoughts and moments of strange hesitation. It was painful.
I am not Anne Lamott. Not even close. But I am notoriously awkward, so being interviewed without knowing the questions ahead of time is a recipe for long rambles and awkward pauses. The fact is Writers are not the same as Speakers. Writers are used to editing and constructing and thinking things through. Speakers are used to flying off the cuff. Speakers have the amazing ability to come up with brilliant, witty, intelligent sentences at a moment’s notice. How convenient!
Earlier this month I did a radio interview for a local podcast. A few days before it happened, my dad gave me some advice (he is in radio). He said: before you answer a question, take a beat and think about what you’re going to say. Don’t just start rambling.
Great advice! So I did the exact opposite. I ran at the mouth, said things I don’t mean, and came across as a self professed “expert” blogger who talks a lot about poop in a slightly pornographic voice. Excellent!
Anyways, here. And a big thank you to The Lancast for conversing with me despite my awkwardness and inability to finish a sentence. You rock.
oh my gosh. i’m laughing. you did really well, but i still laughed. xo.
now i feel bad because everyone else is being so sweet and encouraging and saying things that are nice, and i said i was laughing. the truth is you did really great and you should know you are a good speaker as well as writer. as i was listening i felt very proud of you and happy you were getting recognized for your talent. that being said, it’s also true that i laughed hard. and maybe even spit out a bit of coffee. and i plan to listen again with kyle, who i’m sure will laugh too. but you know we love you so i think that’s ok.
Do not feel bad. I think if you know me, it’s even weirder? Also thank you for laughing. Laughing is better than shaking your head and being embarrassed you know me.
Thanks for linking the interview! I listened past minute three. I actually listened to the entire 27 minutes and I thought you sounded sweet and real and funny. As a reader in the 90%, who does not know you, I say you did a really great job, Kate!
I also appreciate you sharing that Anne Lamott quote about writing as if your parents are dead. It really does open up a lot of doors if you think of it that way.
Love that quote. Thanks for listening Jenna! And making me feel less weird about it.
I listened to the whole thing. I thought you did great! Better than I ever could. I seriously sound like a preteen on anything recorded (as I’ve been told numerous times). I don’t think it was as awkward sounding as you think, even the parts about pooping :)
Maybe the more we talk about poop, the less awkward it is? Honestly what’s most terrible for me to listen to is the parts where I talk about blogging like I know everything. I know maybe two things about blogging. I think I was just trying to sound confident to make up for my nerves!
I will listen to this when I don’t have kids around. I’m sure I’ll make it past minute 3. :) Certainly you have better things to say than the NRA dude — I only made it into minute three for him. ;) xoxo.
I didn’t last long with him either.
LOL. The porn voice. It’s kind of awesome.
THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING IT.
Great piece! The title certainly is a grabber. You are right. Writers are behind the scenes people. Great rewriters and editors. Only a few are great raconteurs, able to spin out endlessly fascinating prose at will. Those that are usually have also been performers or entertainers like Groucho Marx and Robert Benchley. Even the Gore Vidals and Norman Mailers and William F Buckleys could ramble on and on and disappoint. I heard them do just that. Doris Kearns Goodwin is one person, non-entertainer or performer, who comes across well in interviews. You can watch her listening and thinking and processing and then saying something brief and to the point. I hear Shakespeare was not a great interview (overly theatrical), and that Chaucer went on and on, and John Milton had a terrible overbite that caused him to swallow his words….(only kidding) We’ll never know.
You are most excellent. Still waiting for that guest post.
That was great! I never would have guessed you didn’t have the questions ahead of time.
My favorite part was hearing you read part of a post. When I read I tend to enunciate a certain way and emphasize certain words, and I often wonder how the author hears it as they’re writing it, and if I’m at all close. Very enlightening!
Also, I think your voice is wonderful on radio. Very soft and calming. Not at all like a man’s.
Confession: When I was a kid I tried writing a story based on my siblings and me. I tried killing my parents off in the story because I thought it might help. It just made it even more awkward. Oh well.
I would like to read that story.
The part where I read an excerpt makes me laugh. Where did that voice come from? Oy. When my friend Carrie listened to it, she texted me “Your reading voice is….interesting.”
Yes indeed.
Oh Kate, the interview is great! I keep wanting to answer, ask questions. You are a wonderful conversationalist making it so easy to listen to you (and want to respond!) So good.
Thanks Shannon! Idea flash: Guest post with some of my favorite bloggers all answering the same questions (short answers) about blogging. Maybe it’s been done (and overdone?)
you did a great job!!
And I totally agree about the people having different opinions but being respectful about those opinions!!
I loved this!! The cool thing is that you sound exactly like I imagined you would… :) I loved hearing all sorts of things that happen behind the scenes and getting to know you a little more. Thanks for posting it!
Well, I can’t wait to hear this!! and your Dad might be wrong! I wouldn’t listen to his advice!
Im a non-mom (im 21!) reader and I love reading your blog and I thought your interview was great!
Cheers to non mom readers!
A big thanks to Kate for coming on the show and opening up! Quite personally I don’t think you came across as awkward as you perceive, we’ve had a decent amount of examples of what awkward really sounds like. haha And honestly you might want to think about refining your reading aloud technique. You’ve got a great radio voice and you might find some employ in audio books. Just a thought. Thanks again!
Haha…thank you for having me!
Listened to it, loved it, slightly reminded me of this video http://www.hulu.com/watch/4156 but not in a bad way. In a funny way.
I am laughing.
LISTENED. and you’re crazy–it was totally good. you were a natural. i’m not just saying it. you didn’t seem nervous and the post partum poop was perfectly appropriate. that is some major p-alliteration right there. i think it was really good, kate.
Thanks Bridget!
wow- awesome! you sound so real. and you have a nice voice.
I listened on my way to work yesterday! Your voice is very soothing, especially through traffic. I enjoyed the “insider” info on the writing process…sort of makes me miss blogging.
I miss your blogging!
Good job!
Something you said reminded me of this book that I read. Maybe you would like it. It’s called Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. It was an interesting read. I mean I’m not critic or anything when it comes to books but for my taste it was a little dry at times but the information the author presented was good.
I’ve heard great things about that book. Thanks for mentioning it! Adding to my library list.
Well done! You’re the first blogger voice I’ve heard that I didn’t cringe at. Seriously, when I first heard the Pioneer Woman’s voice, I was like, “really?” But your voice totally sounds like your blog…does that even make sense?
I could kiss you!
Also, I would totally watch your pilot. Do it.
I’m a devoted reader in the 90% who just wants you to know how much I appreciate your writing. I listened to the whole thing and thought you did great! You are an entertaining writer and speaker. Also, this is a bit creepy, but I totally thought of you last night as I was trying to figure out what to prepare for dinner and came across a surprisingly delicious chicken noodle soup recipe that uses top ramen. :) Keep up the writing and I can’t wait to buy your book one day!
Not creepy! Ramen is a staple in this house. I’ve got the stretch pants to prove it.
Your title still makes me giggle to myself. As a single woman (and apparently potential brothel employee of the pre-kid variety), thanks again for putting out funny, pithy, and occasionally deep material that helps me relate to the mom demographic.