Out on the Wire Out on the Wire Episode 5.5: Workshop
8 snips
Nov 16, 2015 Dean Johnson, a Minnesota storyteller with hands-on experience in interviewing, shares his unique approach to connecting with those experiencing homelessness. He discusses his memorable encounter with a man begging at a gas station, emphasizing the importance of open questions and active listening. Johnson reveals how he created a comfortable recording setup, helping subjects share their life stories. The conversation also dives into the emotional depth interviews provide, showcasing how unexpected narratives can unfold from genuine curiosity.
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Episode notes
Use Experts As Research, Not Radio Stars
- Interview experts to build an intellectual framework before pursuing human stories.
- Use that framework to shape further interviews but avoid relying on dry academic quotes for your final piece.
Talk To Real Monastics For Fictional Space Orders
- For fictional research, interview real-world analogues to ground characters' motivations and rituals.
- Ask about turning points and faith challenges to evoke stories you can adapt into fiction.
Pair Books With Interviews For Lived Detail
- Combine book research with interviews to access off-the-record emotion and unrecorded experiences.
- Seek people who haven't written books; their lived detail may enrich your narrative texture.
