Are the seasons turning where you are? I sure hope so. Change is often stressful, but a change in climate is usually a good thing. It’s one thing I love about living where I do—getting all four seasons instead of ten months of OH MY WORD, I’M MELTING!

Another welcome change is getting new reading material when the well has run dry. For me, that means…

CRITIQUES 4 U!

CONTEST CLOSED!

If you’re working on a first page (in any genre except erotica) and would like some objective feedback, please leave a comment. Any comment :). As long as the email address associated with your WordPress account is up-to-date, I’ll be able to contact you if you win. Just please know that if I’m unable to get in touch with you through that address, I’ll have to choose an alternate winner.

Two caveats:

• Please be sure your first page is ready to go so I can critique it before next month’s contest rolls around. If it needs some work and you won’t be able to get it to me right away, let me ask that you plan on entering the next contest, once any necessary tweaking has been taken care of.
• I’d like to be able to use portions of winning submissions as illustrations in an upcoming presentation I’m creating on first pages. By entering the Critiques 4 U contest, you’ll be granting permission for me to use small writing samples only (no author names or book titles).

Three commenters’ names will be randomly drawn and posted tomorrow. If you win, you can email me your first page and I’ll offer my feedback. Best of luck!

ALSO, HEADS UP! Two giveaways are ending today:

For a chance to win 1 of 4 six-month One Stop for Writers subscriptions, sign up for our newsletter (and always be the first to know what new tools are being added to our One Stop site!)

For a chance to win great writing craft books by our Resident Writing Coaches, sign up to our Writers Helping Writers newsletter (unless you’re into spam because we definitely don’t spam people and you’ll only be disappointed by the updates & helpful writing links we always share).

Recently I hit a roadblock with my current manuscript. It wasn’t a typical “writer’s block,” though. Rather, I made an inspired decision first: My protagonist’s father would be the owner / manager of a home remodeling company. (I blame my love of home improvement TV shows for this!) Then came the stumble: Apart from those TV shows, which focus on the “external” aspects of construction and remodeling, I had no idea what’s involved in running such a business.

That’s when I realized, in order to get the information I needed, I’d have to talk to owners of home remodeling companies.

Yes, I freaked out at first. But it wasn’t the only instance where I interviewed people for this manuscript. (The story also involves characters of diverse backgrounds and/or struggling with mental illness.) Then again, informational interviews aren’t unheard of in the creative writing world. Authors, bloggers, and even poets turn to this journalistic form of research when books, articles, and documentaries aren’t enough. And when we find the right people, the knowledge they share with us can be invaluable.

So how should writers pursue these kinds of interviews? What should we do during the exchange so that the interviewee feels comfortable and respected? And, how should we demonstrate our gratitude for the other person’s time and generosity? Here are pointers for before, during, and after the interview that can make an initially intimidating experience more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved. These tips apply to all types of interviews, from in-person conversations to phone / video calls and email interviews.

Before the Interview

Brainstorm your questions. It’s important to confirm what you already know about the topic and what you need to learn before contacting potential interviewees. First, spend some time reviewing how the topic plays into the story. Then, develop a list of questions, paying close attention to how you word them. You don’t need to sound like an expert (that’s why you’re pursuing these interviews, after all!), but you should phrase the questions respectfully and use appropriate terminology you’re familiar with.

Use your network to generate a list of contacts. Start by asking friends, relatives, and colleagues if they know someone who’s knowledgeable about the topic. Even better, if one of your contacts has the right experience, ask if they would feel comfortable answering your questions. And if you need to broaden your search further, try posting a “call for help” on Facebook or Twitter, or use Google or LinkedIn to find professionals or experts and their contact information. You’ll be less likely to get an interview without the help or name of a mutual friend, but that won’t make it impossible. For example, I talked to friends who struggled with anxiety or depression for my mental health interviews, but I landed an interview with a local home remodeling contractor through a cold call.

Prepare talking points in advance. Before reaching out to these contacts, write down bullet points (or complete sentences, if you prefer) to help you remember what to say. Include a brief introduction of yourself, the name of the mutual friend who referred you to that contact, and why you’re contacting them. (So, yes, plan on saying that you’re a writer and why you need their help with research for your story.) That way, the other person will better understand how they can help you, and you’ll be more confident in delivering your pitch.

“Sweeten the deal.” When making these inquiries, offer something of potential value to your contact. It can be a mention in the novel’s acknowledgements, paying for the contact’s coffee or lunch (if you’re meeting them in person), or something else that’s appropriate. Not only will it show that you take yourself and your writing seriously, but it will also serve as a gesture of your appreciation for the other person’s time and knowledge. Plus, it could be the one detail that persuades your contact to say “yes.”

Be gracious and courageous. It’s easy to expect “no” from a potential interviewee (or to not hear back from them at all). But the only way you’ll guarantee you don’t land an informational interview is if you give up. So if one of your contacts turns down your inquiry, do your best to remain pleasant and thank them for their time, then move on to the next person on your list.

During the Interview

Maintain a professional appearance and attitude. The information you’re about to glean will help make your story more authentic, so treat the interview – and the interviewee – with the utmost respect. You can demonstrate this by dressing appropriately (think business casual) and speaking courteously in a calm, even tone. And regardless of how the interview will be conducted, ensure you arrive at the agreed-upon location, or are ready and waiting at your computer or with your phone, about 5 to 10 minutes early. This will also help you avoid the stress of last-minute rushing.

Be mindful of the interviewee’s time. Depending on everyone’s schedule, you might only have a short window (30 or 45 minutes) to talk to them. Do your best to stick to the planned timeframe, and prioritize your questions accordingly. Chances are that the interviewee will invite you to reach out them if you have more questions – and if they do, then follow up on that offer within a few days. As for email interviews, arrange for a target reply date that works for both you and the other person. And if the interviewee asks for more time, be flexible and honor their request.

Take notes and record the interview audio. No interviewer wants to lose their only copy of a transcript, or feel pressured into writing or typing quickly enough to capture every word. Play it safe by using an audio recording device as well as a notebook for writing (or a laptop, tablet, etc. for typing) short-hand notes. That way, you’ll have two copies of the precious interview and eliminate the stress of copying entire answers. Also, as a general courtesy, ask the interviewee if they’re OK with you recording the interview.

Pace yourself and the interviewee. No matter how much time you’ve scheduled for the interview, it’s important to not rush through it. Allow the interviewee to answer each question completely, and leave a brief silence as you finish your note-taking before moving on. This will help the both of you feel more relaxed and create an easy rapport between you.

After the Interview

Compile your notes and/or audio transcript. After interviewing the home remodeling contractor, I spent between 30 minutes to 1 hour for the next couple days listening to the recording and typing my handwritten notes and highlights from the audio. Doing this reinforced the facts I absorbed and created a single, convenient document I could later use as reference material.

Incorporate pertinent information into the story. If you’re inspired after transcribing the notes and audio, why not dive in and integrate your research into relevant scenes now? This might be more attractive if you plot your stories in advance and/or write your first drafts out of sequence. If you prefer writing scenes in order, you can certainly wait until you’re ready to do this.

Send a thank-you note. Whether you send an email or a handwritten note is personal preference. (My suggestion: Send a handwritten note if the interview was in person and the interviewee lives or works within driving distance, and an email in all other cases.) What matters more is that you share your gratitude for the interviewee’s time and generosity. So, in your thank-you, use your personal “writing voice” to ensure the message is genuine, and include one or two highlights from the interview (one thing you learned, a compliment on the interviewee’s friendliness or knowledgeability, etc.). Also, send the thank-you in a timely manner so that the interviewee receives it while the exchange is still fresh in their mind.

Add the interviewee to your book’s acknowledgements. This is the section where the author thanks their family, friends, agent, editor, and other people who were involved with the manuscript’s development. So it’s the perfect place to express your appreciation to the interviewee once again for their help. Plus, it never hurts to start writing that list early. 😉 You can also blog about your interview experience if the end result for the writing project won’t be a published book.

No matter how passionate you may be about your story, the thought of doing an informational interview for research can be nail-biting. But with a little common sense and a lot of determination, you can find people who will be willing to share their experience or area of expertise with you. And who knows? Maybe you’ll enjoy the actual interview more than you think you will. Just remember that these interviews will benefit your work as a writer – and that fact alone might be all the motivation you need to pursue them.

Have you ever conducted informational interviews for your writing projects? If so, what was the experience like? Also, what was the topic and the interviewee’s role or relationship with this topic?

Sara is a fantasy writer living in Massachusetts who devours good books, geeks out about character arcs, and drinks too much tea. In addition to WHW’s Resident Writing Coach Program, she writes the Theme: A Story’s Soul column at DIY MFA and is hard at work on a YA/New Adult magical realism manuscript. Find out more about Sara here, visit her personal blog, Goodreads profile, and find her online.
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Jobs are as important for our characters as they are for real people. A character’s career might be their dream job or one they’ve chosen due to necessity. In your story, they might be trying to get that job or are already working in the field. Whatever the situation, as with any defining aspect for your character, you’ll need to do the proper research to be able to write that career knowledgeably.

Enter the Occupation Thesaurus. Here, you’ll find important background information on a variety of career options for your character. In addition to the basics, we’ll also be covering related info that relates to character arc and story planning, such as sources of conflict (internal and external) and how the job might impact basic human needs, thereby affecting the character’s goals. It’s our hope that this thesaurus will share some of your research burden while also giving you ideas about your character’s occupation that you might not have considered before.

Occupation: Pest Control Technician

Overview: A Pest Control Technician removes unwanted pests in residential and commercial areas. The types of pests will be dependent on the location, but commonly these include ants, roaches, bedbugs, termites, ticks, spiders, wasps, rats and mice that infest structures. In some areas, they may also be called in to take care of snakes, scorpions, crocodiles, birds, and alligators. Typically poisonous fog, baited traps, and sprays are used to remove these pests. Technicians run site inspections, assessments, and carry out fumigations and removals using spraying equipment, power fog machines, bait guns, and traps. Because technicians may be required to kneel, crawl, enter small spaces, and possibly work in sewers or other locations that are undesirable, a reasonable level of fitness and strong mental constitution is required.

Necessary Training: Characters looking to get into this profession usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, and often require a certification to practice. Training is also given on the job and technicians must have a clear understanding of the chemicals and pesticides they use as well as how to apply them safely. All work must be in accordance with any local environmental laws and regulations regarding the use of pesticides. Having skills in math is also important to accurately plan the quantities of pesticides needed for the job as well as the time it will take to effectively complete the task (especially when it comes to fumigation and the use of chemicals in residential areas). Technicians must also have a valid driver’s license for transporting equipment and driving to locations to assess the problem.

Useful Skills, Talents, or Abilities: A way with animals, basic first aid, blending in, carpentry, enhanced hearing, exceptional memory, foraging, high pain tolerance, mechanically inclined, parkour, predicting the weather, self-defense, strategic thinking, strong breath control, super strength, swift-footedness, wilderness navigation, wrestling

Helpful Character Traits:

POSITIVE: Adaptable, adventurous, alert, analytical, cautious, centered, courageous, disciplined, efficient, independent, industrious, observant, organized, patient, proactive, professional, resourceful, responsible

NEGATIVE: Cruel, Cynical, Perfectionist, Stubborn

Sources of Friction: Discovering irresponsible homeowners are part of the infestation problem (by not getting rid of trash, by not caring for the property as they should, etc.), pests that are resistant to one’s methods, angry homeowners who take it out on the technician, dealing with poisonous pests (especially if one needs to get into areas that are tight-spaced or dangerous to work in), having ethical problems with the company’s methods or policies, working with a partner who is unnecessarily cruel, being accused of theft after fumigating a home

People They Might Interact With: home owners and building managers, wildlife officers (in the case of larger pests), other technicians, supply reps, health and safety inspectors, business owners

How This Occupation Might Impact One’s Basic Needs:

• Esteem and Recognition: A person in this field may struggle because of the public perception of this work is undesirable. This could affect their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.
  
• Love and Belonging: Having this as a profession may create a hurdle in the romance department. Many possible partners may not be able to look past their disgust of the work being done, or make unfair assumptions about the character as a result of the work they choose to do.
  
• Safety and Security: Because a character often must go where homeowners and property managers dare not, safety is a concern, especially if the pests are poisonous or dangerous. The nature of a Pest Control Technician’s work is risky, and if they mishandle their equipment and poisons the result could be deadly.

Common Work-Related Settings: alley, attic, backyard, barn, basement, big city street, casual dining restaurant, cheap motel, child’s bedroom, condemned apartment building, construction site, convenience store, custodial supply room, deli, diner, elementary school classroom, factory, farm, fast food restaurant, flower garden, flower shop, greenhouse, grocery store, high school cafeteria, high school hallway, hotel room, kitchen, living room, man cave, mansion, nursery, nursing home, office cubicle, orchard, outdoor pool, outhouse, pond, public restroom, rec center, root cellar, run-down apartment, secret passageway, sewers, shopping mall, slaughterhouse, small town street, subway tunnel, swamp, teenager’s bedroom, teenager’s bedroom closet, tool shed, trailer park, underground storm shelter

Twisting the Fictional Stereotype: Characters in this occupation are often portrayed as uneducated or society misfits. If you’re working with this profession, make sure your characters break free of these stereotype. The work involved requires very specific handling of toxic pesticides and sometimes dangerous pests, so logically, the character would have to be intelligent enough to work in this area safely. And like any other character, they should have qualities that humanize them and make them interesting. Also, in fiction, most characters seem to be men…so why not try a female in this position?

Visit the other Occupations in our collection HERE.

Jobs are as important for our characters as they are for real people. A character’s career might be their dream job or one they’ve chosen due to necessity. In your story, they might be trying to get that job or are already working in the field. Whatever the situation, as with any defining aspect for your character, you’ll need to do the proper research to be able to write that career knowledgeably.

Enter the Occupation Thesaurus. Here, you’ll find important background information on a variety of career options for your character. In addition to the basics, we’ll also be covering related info that relates to character arc and story planning, such as sources of conflict (internal and external) and how the job might impact basic human needs, thereby affecting the character’s goals. It’s our hope that this thesaurus will share some of your research burden while also giving you ideas about your character’s occupation that you might not have considered before.

Occupation: Clergy

Overview: Clergy is a general term referring to someone in a position as the head of an organized religious group. Pastor, bishop, priestess, rabbi, and imam are some of the titles used to indicate this leadership role in various religions.

The roles will differ depending on the tenets of the associated religion. Main duties of a clergy member may include interpreting sacred texts, educating followers, ministering to their followers and others within the community, and seeing to certain religious duties, such as offering sacrifices, intervening with the deity on behalf of the people, and overseeing sacraments specific to the religion, such as baptism, communion, prayer, and ordinances associated with holy days.

Some clergy are paid full time while others work on a part-time or voluntary basis. Depending on the structure, some make very good money while others make next to nothing.

Workspaces will also differ from one religion to another. Some work out of church offices while others work from home. Some lead services in an official church, synagogue, mosque, etc., while others hold services in rented facilities, homes, or in a natural setting.

Necessary Training: Some religions require their leaders to attend an affiliated religious institution for a certain period of time and receive a degree before starting work. Others might require their clergy to go through an apprentice-like situation where they work with an existing leader and learn as they go. Clergy members in remote locations may have no formal training beyond a passion for their religion and a basic knowledge of its tenets.

Useful Skills, Talents, or Abilities: Charm, empathy, gaining the trust of others, good listening skills, hospitality, multitasking, reading people, writing

Helpful Character Traits: Bold, centered, charming, confident, cooperative, courteous, creative, diplomatic, disciplined, discreet, empathetic, enthusiastic, extroverted, honest, honorable, hospitable, humble, idealistic, inspirational, intelligent, just, kind, loyal, merciful, nurturing, obedient, organized, passionate, persuasive, philosophical, spiritual, studious, supportive, unselfish, wholesome, wise

Sources of Friction: Not being paid enough to support oneself, bureaucratic red tape that keeps one from doing the important aspects one’s job, disagreements with parishioners or higher-ups about doctrine, politics within the religious organization, conflict with the public when the tenets of one’s beliefs go against cultural norms, clashes with traditional parishioners over modern ideas, knowing a follower needs a certain kind of help but they’re unwilling to listen, dealing with misperceptions and unfair stereotypes about one’s religion, facing persecution for one’s beliefs, risking one’s life to lead a group of people in a society where the religion is outlawed, struggling with forbidden temptations and addictions (alcohol abuse, sexual transgressions, etc.), being a leader for others but having no one to confide in or go to for advice

People They Might Interact With: Parishioners or followers, officials within the religious hierarchy, those that they serve outside of the “church” (the homeless, social pariahs, the poor, etc.), members of the media, other staff members, local clergy members, strangers seeking something the religion may be able to provide (peace, absolution, knowledge, community, physical care, etc.)

How This Occupation Might Impact One’s Basic Needs:

• Self-Actualization: Spirituality and being true to oneself are big parts of being fully actualized. A clergy member who’s required to sacrifice their personal beliefs and priorities in the course of their job will find themselves lacking in the area of personal fulfillment.
• Esteem and Recognition: Most people in this occupation are living a life somewhat characterized by self-sacrifice; they’re seeking to fulfill a purpose higher than themselves. But if they care very much about the opinions of others, and they find themselves being dismissed or criticized for their choice of occupation, it could impact their need for respect and esteem.
• Love and Belonging: A clergy member who too-strictly interprets the religious laws and puts them above true love and caring for others—sacrificing love in the pursuit of justice—may find him or herself without loving relationships of their own.
• Physiological Needs: In many cultures, both past and present, the practice of certain religions has been outlawed, and those breaking the law face jail time, physical abuse, banishment, or execution. In these cases, being a clergy member literally could put one’s life at risk.

Common Work-Related Settings: Church, community center, emergency room, forest, funeral home, graveyard, hospital (interior), hospital room, medieval castle (speculative), military base, police station, prison cell, wake, wedding reception

Twisting the Stereotype: While some clergy members adhere to their religious beliefs to the point of hateful and abusive behavior, this practice has decreased significantly and is much less prevalent than it used to be. Historically, this was common, but it isn’t so much anymore. Take this into account when writing your character.

Also, the hypocritical, two-faced sexual deviant has become a common trope for clergy members in literature. Make yours multi-dimensional and come up with a fresh portrayal.

Jobs are as important for our characters as they are for real people. A character’s career might be their dream job or one they’ve chosen due to necessity. In your story, they might be trying to get that job or are already working in the field. Whatever the situation, as with any defining aspect for your character, you’ll need to do the proper research to be able to write that career knowledgeably.

Enter the Occupation Thesaurus. Here, you’ll find important background information on a variety of career options for your character. In addition to the basics, we’ll also be covering related info that relates to character arc and story planning, such as sources of conflict (internal and external) and how the job might impact basic human needs, thereby affecting the character’s goals. It’s our hope that this thesaurus will share some of your research burden while also giving you ideas about your character’s occupation that you might not have considered before.

Everything is bigger in the outback…including termite mounds! (With Australian tour guide Rick.)

Occupation: Tour Guide

Overview: Similar to an Outdoor Guide, a tour guide is someone who acts as a knowledgeable companion for a group of people wishing to experience local sights in a safe and educational way. Excursions might be a few hours (usually at a landmark location like a museum or a walking tour of an urban center) to several weeks, depending on the type of tour. Guides travel with their group, showing them landmarks, historical sites, and other areas of interest, encouraging tourists to immerse themselves in the culture, activities, cuisine, and adventure of the place they have traveled to.

If the tour is a longer one, the guide is also the go-between when it comes to hotel accommodation, restaurant reservations, travel arrangements, transfers, etc. and will interpret between clients and locals if there is a language barrier. They also advise travelers on how to purchase items (bartering), hot to secure transport for non-group activities, and make recommendations for things to see and do with one’s free time. Guides will also ensure travelers in their care understand local laws and customs, and will pass on any other dangers to watch out for (if there are any). Tour guides may operate within a city, take their group to multiple locations in a specified area, travel with them to different parts of the country, or even accompany the group on a multi-country trip.

Necessary Training: Education will depend on the type of guiding the character is doing, but many will have a degree in the area of tourism and travel as well as supplemental training and education that pertains to their area of focus. For example, a guide who focuses on a specific location such as a museum or historical site will have in-depth knowledge of that area, and possibly even an art history degree. If a guide covers a specific town or city, they will have significant knowledge of the history, landmarks, culture, arts, and language of that location, and will be able to answer a range of questions their clients may ask, everything from the specifics surrounding the type of tour and historical and cultural facts of the area to what to see and do after the tour is over.

Tour guides that take longer excursions will have a broader skill set as they will be required to not only be knowledgeable about each area they visit, but to also organizing all management aspects of the trip including accommodation, tickets, transfers, etc. and deal with any problems as they crop up. If the tour includes outdoor camping and overland travel, just as an outdoor guide would, they are in charge of camp management and transport (often driving the group from location to location for part or all of the trip). If the tour is international, they will navigate clients through border crossings and customs which may be very different from the processes they are used to in their home country. Guides have extensive knowledge of the areas they visit and be able to ensure the safety of their guests at all times and will receive a great deal training and mentor ship from the guiding company they are affiliated with.

Many guides speak a second language or even multiple languages as this helps with the work they do (and becomes a side effect of spending so much time with different cultures as they travel). Most will require a license to operate. Because this is a people-focused occupation, they are often extroverted, love travel and adventure, have a friendly disposition, and excel at organization and time management.

Useful Skills, Talents, or Abilities: A knack for languages, basic first aid, charm, enhanced hearing, exceptional memory, haggling, hospitality, making people laugh, multitasking, photographic memory, predicting the weather, promotion, reading people, survival skills, throwing one’s voice, wilderness navigation

Helpful Character Traits: Adaptable, adventurous, calm, charming, confident, courteous, diplomatic, disciplined, discreet, easygoing, efficient, enthusiastic, extroverted, friendly, funny, hospitable, intelligent, introverted, observant, optimistic, organized, passionate, patient, socially aware, spunky, thrifty, tolerant, wholesome, wise, witty

Sources of Friction: A group member entering an off-limits area at a historical site or causing damage to property, clients who wander away during the tour, having clients who are hard-of-hearing when in busy areas, having to compete to be heard over the throngs of tourists and tour groups in a particular area, accommodation mix-ups (not enough rooms at a hotel, rooms being less-than ideal, etc.), personality conflicts between one’s group members, a breakdown, travel delays, a client being pick pocketed, a client breaking a law because it’s not a big deal where they are from, a group member being injured or growing ill and needing a hospital, a mix-up in transfers (a van doesn’t arrive when it should, or the tuk-tuks are a no-show), group members who are given free time in an area and then don’t show up at the meeting spot when they should, causing everyone to wait, language barriers, clients who are entitled and don’t help out as expected with certain aspects of the tour (being on time, being organized, helping to clean up group areas, etc.), demanding clients who expect their tastes and desires to be fully catered to regardless of other group members, food poisoning, other tourists that try to join the group at historical sites to benefit from the guide’s knowledge without paying for it

People They Might Interact With: travelers, bus and cab drivers, other tour group leaders, custom officials, museum curators and employees, security personal, hotel staff, airport staff, restaurant staff, shopkeepers

How This Occupation Might Impact One’s Basic Needs:

• Love and Belonging: A character with this job is away from home often, putting in long (or odd) hours. Their energy levels may be sapped from having to look after the every need of others, longer term travel, or both. This may make it difficult to maintain certain types of relationships.
  
• Safety and Security: Having members on one’s tour group not realizing the danger of certain areas may place the guide into trouble if the client ignores warnings or breaks rules.

Common Work-Related Settings:  airplane, airport, ancient ruins, antiques shop, art gallery, badlands, bank, bazaar, beach, big city street, campsite, canyon, casual dining restaurant, cave, cheap motel, city bus, coffeehouse, convenience store, country road, desert, diner, elevator, emergency room, farmer’s market, fast food restaurant, fishing boat, forest, grotto, hiking trail, hospital (interior), hospital room, hotel room, hot springs, lake, laundromat, marina, marsh, mausoleum, meadow, moors, museum, ocean, orchard, outdoor pool, parking lot, public restroom, rainforest, ranch, subway train, train station, tropical island, upscale hotel lobby, waterfall, winery, zoo

For other occupations in this collection, visit our full list HERE.