Class

Nonfiction Basics: Effective Interviewing

The "nonfiction" part of creative nonfiction often means we need to gather information, and the best way to do that is talking to people, i.e. interviewing. Whether interviews are casual (asking a family member about a memory) or formal (interviewing an expert on the record), there are ways to make the process easier. In this class, taught by a writer and journalist with 25+ years of experience conducting interviews, we'll break down the steps to be conduct the most effective interviews possible, from the tech you need to how you can incorporate that information into your writing. We'll do some practice interviews with each other—in a safe, supportive environment—in addition to analyzing examples. Whether you're brand-new to interviewing or just want to brush up on your skills, this class is for you.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.