Like most people who listen to interviews on TV channels or read them in print, I was diffident about interviewing people. However, studying a short and helpful module in a course called, “English for Journalism,” offered online by Pennsylvania University, equipped me with the needed skill and the confidence. The course made me realize I had it in me to go ahead. I had published a freewheeling discussion with India’s best-known cartoonist, RK Laxman in 2019, but had thought it was a fluke!

Soon after I’d completed the course, I pitched an editor interview to Freedom with Writing (FWW), and he accepted it. I interviewed Margaret Guroff, a senior editor at a top lifestyle magazine in the USA. Jacob Jans, the editor of FWW, wrote back to say he’d like me to interview one editor every month, paying me $125 per interview. Since then, I’ve completed thirteen interviews.

Magazines such as Marie Claire which asks for ‘buzzy’ interviews, Bitch Media wants writers to profile feminists who attempt to ‘remake’ culture, Dream of Travel Writing seeks interviews with celebrities, and profiles, and others who seek interviews with women achievers, feminists, celebrities, and profiles, and pay well. For example, Yes! Magazine had called for an interview with Justice Ayesha Mallik, the first Chief Justice of Pakistan. I would’ve loved to speak with her, but the logistics were impossible to organize.

Here are guidelines I have used to help you succeed as an interviewer.

First, understand your readers. Readers could be curious to know the juicy parts of a celebrity’s personal life, their affairs, marriage, divorce, failure, success and how they do what they do, and so on. Women readers might love to know things like how Serena Williams could stay at the top after motherhood. Those fond of traveling would like to read about the people who’ve kept a traditional cuisine alive to this day in Sri Lanka.

Research your interviewee. Find out more about their life than is known. What are their ambitions? Goals? Hobbies? And other interests? Capture all the unique facts that could enthrall your readers. Make it a habit.

Prepare a list of questions in advance that would make your interviewee think of interesting answers. Carry these questions to the interview so that you feel confident from the start and know where to begin. You could consider starting with some lighter remarks, generous compliments that break the ice, before you ask more searching questions. That would help the conversation flow smoothly. If your interviewee is articulate, such as the renowned writer, Salman Rushdie, you’ve only to ask a good question, and have them talking. But, but if they’re clipped speakers, you’ll need to ask many more questions and give them time to answer.

You may not use all the questions, but your opening questions can set the tone and the comfort level for you and your guest.

Ask open questions and listen well. If you ask Justice Ayesha Mallik, questions such as, “What was your male colleagues’ first reaction to this honor?” you could get an interesting response. Never interrupt the interviewee. You can decide on what to glean out later, but getting a flow is important.

Know interview etiquette. Record with permission. Further, whether you record the interview, or write it later, it’s mandatory that you send a completed draft to the interviewee and avoid libel for misquoting them or misinterpreting their views.

With these guidelines, you could brace yourself for entering a fresh field in your writing life and making a decent income. You’d be amazed at the diversity of publications in print and online that appreciate a good interview.

Bio: Viney Kirpal (PH.D) was professor of English at IIT Bombay, a corporate trainer and consultant, and founder president of a non-profit for quality education of less privileged school students between1974-2019. Since 2019, she’s a full-time freelance writer. She’s been running a series of editor interviews for Freedom with Writing since January, 2022. Viney, a trained health and personal essay writer, has published in Cure Today, Yoga Journal,Huffpost.com, two in onevillage.io, Readers’ Digest, and other magazines. She has published research books and articles in peer reviewed international journals. She is available on https:/inlinkedin.com, www.twitter.com (@KirpalViney), and Google.

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