tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post9207693897300190405..comments2024-02-07T09:39:13.250-10:00Comments on Over the Hill: the Books and Stuff: Lessons from a Literature FestivalJOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-81385692893177338272013-10-05T22:15:47.015-10:002013-10-05T22:15:47.015-10:00You're right, Jenny - it was largely the inter...You're right, Jenny - it was largely the interviewers fault.<br /><br />As for putting myself up - we'll see. You know where I live, and my face doesn't always fit with the high and the mighty (who run the festival!)JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-83257404036349248332013-10-05T21:33:57.566-10:002013-10-05T21:33:57.566-10:00Without having seen the well known writer, Jo, I w...Without having seen the well known writer, Jo, I would hazard a guess that it is almost certainly the interviewer's fault. Writers are writers, and don't necessarily set themselves up as public speakers - although I suppose some do. Many, though become writers I believe in order to avoid having to show themselves off in person. I personally would be terrified at being interviewed, although I have done enough interviewing to take control, I suppose - unless the vibes were too difficult. <br /><br />People who agree to conduct an interview, are supposed to get interesting information out of your subject.. I'm just so sorry for this writer being caught by someone else's incompetence. <br /><br />OMG I do envy people who have the knack of dealing with an audience. What a gift, and as you say you have it or you don't. I know I don't. Though I wonder if it might be learned - at least up to a point. <br /><br />Have you considered putting yourself forward to speak next year? Your own experiences are very interesting and most of the locals won't have read your blog. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-30406032311114250702013-10-04T22:39:17.965-10:002013-10-04T22:39:17.965-10:00Go for it!!Go for it!!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-78510262800519636672013-10-04T09:30:49.082-10:002013-10-04T09:30:49.082-10:00Sounds like a great experience... doing booky thin...Sounds like a great experience... doing booky things with a bunch of other booky people. As for that first speaker, (s)he shares the blame for such a poor performance. If an interviewer isn't doing a proper job, it falls on the interviewee to step it up a bit and turn things around. But as you said... (s)he obviously wasn't prepared.<br /><br />Me, I'm usually over-prepared, and am disgustingly "nice". Now all I have to do is write a book worthy of a Booker, huh? Piece of cake. Riiiiight.<br />Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-32851563296011442542013-10-04T07:30:23.660-10:002013-10-04T07:30:23.660-10:00I know we all know this stuff, Val - but sometimes...I know we all know this stuff, Val - but sometimes seeing it in action brings it home!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-20964054686470847042013-10-04T07:29:42.113-10:002013-10-04T07:29:42.113-10:00The speaker might have been better if the intervie...The speaker might have been better if the interviewer had a clue what she was doing, Anne!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-86972920537010242182013-10-04T01:27:15.064-10:002013-10-04T01:27:15.064-10:00What good insights, Jo. Be prepared (both sides), ...What good insights, Jo. Be prepared (both sides), know your stuff and avoid negativity. Good things to keep in mind! A lovely event in any case!Vallypeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08309284606572565277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-8050236802536606362013-10-03T23:53:09.807-10:002013-10-03T23:53:09.807-10:00It's great to sit and listen to an interesting...It's great to sit and listen to an interesting speaker,not so great one who makes you cringe a bit inside.Anne Macklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-56166259659965784122013-10-03T07:16:50.464-10:002013-10-03T07:16:50.464-10:00I think all of us doing teaching/lectury stuff had...I think all of us doing teaching/lectury stuff had those dreams, Ros - but this woman actually did it!! <br /><br />(And if you ever have a chance to see Jackie Kay - take it!!)JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-38904884146147186332013-10-03T07:13:51.106-10:002013-10-03T07:13:51.106-10:00It's an art, yes - and most of us do the best ...It's an art, yes - and most of us do the best we can, but we're better if we prepare a list of questions,and have some idea what you hope your interviewee might like to talk about!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-12945192079728375222013-10-03T04:47:47.774-10:002013-10-03T04:47:47.774-10:00That first interview sounds like one of those horr...That first interview sounds like one of those horrendous dreams you're relieved to wake up from. When I was a teacher my recurring nightmare was being faced with a class of kids and not having a clue what I was supposed to be teaching them. *shudders*<br /><br />Glad the rest of the Festival was enjoyable :-)Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251035797708672975.post-69922102560979299302013-10-02T23:55:42.756-10:002013-10-02T23:55:42.756-10:00Very wise advice - and I agree, I have always thou...Very wise advice - and I agree, I have always thought that the responsibility for great interviews lies with the interviewer. Sadly, asking great questions, and ones that draw authors out of themselves, is a rare artDan Hollowayhttp://danholloway.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com