Fantasy Keys Won't Get You In

Becoming a great guest takes practice, practice, practice

Image by by Dharma Comics

In chapter 1 of Bird by Bird, Anne Lamont talks about teaching classes to writers, and rather than ask her how to become a better writer, they wanted to ask her how to get published, how to get an agent, and things like that. No matter how often she assured them that the key to becoming a published author is to first become a better writer, they didn't want to listen to her – they didn't want to do that hard work or, as she says, "practice their scales." I'm listening to the audiobook, narrated by the author herself, and in her signature dry yet radical candor and humor, she tells a hilarious story about her son:

"Sam, at three and a half, had these keys to a set of plastic handcuffs, and one morning he intentionally locked himself out of the house. I was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper when I heard him stick his plastic keys into the doorknob and try to open the door. Then I heard him say, "Oh, shit." My whole face widened, like the guy in Edvard Munch's Scream. After a moment I got up and opened the front door.

"Honey," I said, "what'd you just say?"

"I said, 'Oh, shit,'" he said.

"But, honey, that's a naughty word. Both of us have absolutely got to stop using it. Okay?"

He hung his head for a moment, nodded, and said, "Okay, Mom." Then he leaned forward and said confidentially, "But I'll tell you why I said 'shit.'" I said Okay, and he said, "Because of the fucking keys!"

You see, Anne explains, fantasy keys won't get you in.

While she's referring to writers who don't want to do the hard work required to become published authors and gain an audience, this example also illustrates authors who wish to be on top podcasts and TV shows but have yet to master being compelling and engaging guests. They may have excellent things to say and valuable information to offer, but there's a skill and a craft to getting your message across in interviews, and it takes practice, practice, practice.

Learning to answer questions in sound bites, learning to answer questions you don't want to answer, learning to get your message points across, and learning to do 60-minute, 10-minute, and 4-minute interviews—all in a way that is engaging, informative, and promotional but not too promotional—these are skills, but there's also an art to them. The art of great storytelling is just as important in interviews as it is in writing.  

When you're first starting out, say yes to everything. Yes to the smaller podcasts, yes to the blogs, newsletters, YouTubers, etc. First, it's good practice. Second, you never know who's listening – it only takes one person to make a big difference. Third, you also never know which small media outlets will later become BIG media outlets. It's always a good idea to be a great guest who gets asked back many times, and when that media outlet gets more selective, hopefully, they will remember you were an excellent resource that helped them grow.

Keep reading for 3 things worth your attention this week. Hope everyone is having a great, long weekend.

Cheers!

Carina

P.S. Interested in working together? Find me at www.parallel33pr.com.

SOMETHING TO READ

Which print magazines are thriving, and why? Dive into this excellent piece on the 'slow read' movement. My passion for publishing began at a lifestyle magazine, and I'm all for keeping print alive and thriving! Print magazines aren't just valuable resources—they offer a chance to disconnect from screens and savor the experience of quality writing and content. In my experience, many authors still dream of seeing their work in print media.

The Surfer’s Journal, first published in 1992, is thriving today. Publisher Debbee Pezman, now 69, says:

“There’s a difference between ‘lean in’ and ‘lean back’,” Pezman explained. Digital content forces you to lean in, she added. “It’s harder on my eyes, my body. My muscles are a little tighter. A printed coffee-table book, including a National Geographic, is a lean back – I lean back on my sofa, open it and relax.”

SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont (audiobook). I love listening to her share stories about “shitty first drafts” (think shitty first interviews), school lunches, and lessons learned over her many, many years as a New York Times bestselling author several times over.

SOMETHING TO WATCH

Ryan Holiday’s video about launching his latest book, Right Thing, Right Now, is excellent. He shares what he does to prepare, including how he starts his day before a Today Show appearance with a run and doing something good for others. Watch how everything he planned to discuss in the interview went out the window with the first question. He adapted quickly and made it an engaging and impactful conversation—a masterful media appearance.

A QUOTE TO INSPIRE

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" - Oscar Wilde