Over the past year, I’ve met so many fascinating writers and readers that I’m rolling out an interview series to learn more about them. And, of course, to share that with you. I’m inspired by ’s brilliant series, “8 Questions For. . . ,” where she explores how fiction writers use Substack. If you’re writing fiction, or really anything, on Substack, her series is a must-read.
The best interviews start with good questions. I thought it would be fun to ask you all: what sort of interview would you most enjoy—either as a reader or as an interviewee? Here are five types of interviews to choose from, with a quick poll at the end for your official vote.
The Proust Lite1
If not yourself, who would you be?
What do you most appreciate about your friends?
What makes you happy?
What are you most afraid of?
What is your motto?
Where would you most like to live?
The Wendell Berry, aka Patience in an Emergency2
What do you wish everyone understood about the place where you live?
Are you part of a movement?
If so, how would you define it and how do you think it’s going?
What advice do you have for your 21-year-old self?
Does Nature speak to you?
How are you building hope?
The Terri Gross3
Please share a favorite passage of your own writing.
What makes you laugh, every time?
What makes you cry?
If you could be best friends with a living writer, who would it be?
Who did you try like hell to write like until you realized you aren’t them?
Do you ever binge bad TV?
The Krista Tippett4
Could you say something about the religious or spiritual background of your childhood, however you think of that?
When you look back at your childhood, where do you see the seeds of your life as a writer?
Where do stories come from in you?
What if the mightiest word is love?
With all the crises and problems in the world, is writing a luxury?
What if Descartes could get pregnant? How would that have changed the western canon?5
The Job Interview
What surprises you?
What bores you?
Who do you most trust?
Who inspires you?
What makes you hopeful?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Your turn: please vote for your favorite
Which set of interview questions is the most interesting to you, either as a reader or as an interviewee?
Building Hope is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Another way to show love is to share this post with others by restacking it on Notes, via the Substack app. Thanks!
From the debut of the Building Hope podcast, this post gets into Wendell Berry’s brilliant advice on patience.
Speaks for itself
Also speaks for itself
Asked in this interview with Krista Tippett by the poet Dr. Jane Alexander.
Very little people chose the Krista Tippett but I think that they have the potential to result in the craziest and most inspiring interviews.
I love a question about, “what’s a time when you changed your mind?” Maybe about a big belief or just way of approaching something routine.