Become a Writer Today How to Use Expert Interviews For Your Book with Market Wizards Author Jack Schwager
How can interviews help you if you are writing a non-fiction book?
I spent a lot of time interviewing guests for this podcast and as a freelance journalist. Interviews can seem like they're pretty straightforward to do. But it can take almost as long to prepare for an interview, particularly if you don't know the topic well.
Even if you're knowledgeable about a topic, it's still helpful to figure out an angle for your interview because it gives a strong structure.
I have learned to use interviews in my non-fiction because they help add a third-party voice. If you're writing a non-fiction book about a particular topic, interviewing an expert in your niche adds credibility.
One series of books that's made a significant impact on me is the Market Wizards series by Jack Schwager. He profiles day traders, investors, and various types of financial entrepreneurs who have made money in the markets.
Now, I don't day trade, but I particularly like these books because they give a good insight into a different type of career. They also reveal commonalities between writers who spend a lot of time alone in a room writing and day traders who can do the same except in front of their terminals or computer screens.
Jack uses interviews to craft a compelling argument throughout the chapters. The Market Wizards series extends over five books, and he's spent 30 years working on this particular series.
So when I caught up with Jack, I had a stack of questions for him.
I hope you enjoy my catch-up with Jack about his Market Wizards series of books. I recommend them even if you're not interested in day trading. They offer excellent advice about risk management and starting your own business, and they are a great read.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How Jack gets ready to interview day traders, investors, and people who found success in the markets
- How Jack had sustained his interest in a topic for over 30 years
- How difficult it is to find new angles and ways to talk about the same ideas or topics
Resources:
Website: https://jackschwager.com/
If you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollins
Thanks for listening!