Let the person you want to interview decide when you will visit. That way, you are likely to have their full attention. Sometimes, we have to wait weeks to do an interview. A person might have visitors from out of town, or might be sick. We never try to force anyone to talk to us. It is disappointing when someone says no, but a person who does not want to talk would not give a good interview anyway.

Doing an interview is scary at first. Will the person like you? Will you learn the things you want to know? Each interview is a surprise. But most people are happy to talk about their lives. When you do your first interviews, it is easy to get excited and talk too much. In one of my first interviews, I talked to a woman about people she had known. I told this woman everything I had learned about these people from books I had read about them. I told her so much that she thought I knew everything I needed to know. I did not learn what she might have told me if I had listened. I blew it.

To be a good interviewer, you have to be a good listener. You learn not to rush on to the next question too quickly. You learn to be quiet and let people talk, even when they are saying things you think you already know. Sometimes, what they tell you will surprise you.

When you begin your interview, explain your project again. Tell about your project and what the interview will be used for. Many people are afraid their interviews will end up on the radio, or that lots of people will listen to the tape. You can make them more comfortable by explaining what you are doing.

When you interview, it is good to keep the tape recorder running, even when you think you are finished. Sometimes, when people relax, they remember stories and important facts they had forgotten. But it is wrong to tape record anyone without permission. Never, ever tape anyone without letting them know.

At the end of the interview, thank the person, and let them know that their help is important. If you think you might want to come back again, say so. It is always good to write a thank you note and show the person anything you will write using the information you got from their interview.