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| E.B. Davis |
"When she is not writing or blogging, she can be found at the beach, the setting for many of her stories. She is a member of Sisters In Crime ,its Guppy (The Great Unpublished) Chapter (where she serves on the Steering Committee), and its Chesapeake Chapter and The Short Mystery Fiction Society." -- E.B. Davis' self-description
At Writers Who Kill,
we have long recognized the rare jewel we have in E.B. Davis as a fellow
blogger. E.B. has written fascinating blog messages that give us glimpses into
her life as a voracious reader, committed and disciplined writer, and dedicated
beach bum. Along with her significant ability as a storyteller, she has a real
gift for interviewing authors and presenting their work to existing and
potential readers.
I read E.B.’s interviews for two reasons: (1) to learn about
authors, and (2) to watch a master interviewer at work. E.B. makes the process
seem effortless, like she’s having an intimate conversation with a friend and
inviting the online community to listen. She poses questions to entice an
author to divulge tantalizing tidbits about writing, craft, and life.
Developing some of E.B.’s interviewing skills can be a real
advantage to authors. Not only for appearances on panels, but also to glean
information for a work-in-progress. Often I’ve seen E.B. provide insight on the
Guppy list serv or in a short story critique group based on some background materials
she has studied for her own writing. Taking a few tips from her research
methods can be a true benefit.
So here goes. What are the top five reasons that E.B. Davis
is an excellent interviewer?
1. She is truly
enthusiastic about her subject matter.
Whether E.B. is interviewing someone for the first time or a
friend she has interviewed previously, she is excited about the author and the
author’s work. She is always on the lookout for new work and new writers, but
she’s just as delighted to present an established writer’s new series. She keeps
her eye on the market. That’s beneficial to her, both as a reader and a writer.
She knows what type of work is being published by which publisher. If you
follow her interviews, you’ll know more about the mystery publishing world,
too.
2. She takes the
time to learn about the author and the author’s work.
Usually at the beginning of an interview, E.B. gives a brief
synopsis of the author’s latest book or an overview of what the author has
written. She sets readers up so they are ready to hear from this person. She lets us know what types of mystery books
the author writes and provides a teaser to lure us into the interview.
3. She asks
specific questions about the author’s characters and their motivations.
I’m always amazed at the preparation that must go into E.B.’s
interviews, but I’m particularly impressed by how she carefully studies an
author’s characters and asks incisive questions about why the characters do
what they do. She considers recurrent themes and choices that characters have
to make. I like it best when an author responds to one of her questions by saying
that she brought out a new perspective on the work. E.B.’s adventurous and likes
to discover elements that make good writing stand out or hold stories together.
That’s another reason that she’s a great storyteller.
4. She wants to
know about the details.
Does the author use unfamiliar terminology? E.B. asks the
author to define it. That way, you learn not only about a new concept, but how
the author views it.
What quotation does the author use at the beginning of the
book? How does that quotation fit in with the story? How did the author find
that quote and why did it resonate with the author? E.B. has inquired into all
these issues.
I think asking about details is part of E.B.’s charm, but it’s
also a great strategy. Who wouldn’t be flattered that an interviewer noticed
some very specific aspects of a work? Who doesn’t dig a little deeper to
provide an insightful answer when presented with such a flattering question? E.B.’s
analysis not only draws out a unique author response, but also brings readers
into a more personal connection with the author. And, that personal connection
leads to adding an author to a TBR (to-be-read) list!
5. She has a beach
bum mentality.
Now, don’t disagree before you hear me out. Beach bums get a
bad rap. Bum has a negative connotation. Maybe that’s from jealousy. If you
think about it, those who spend their lives on the sand have discovered their
one true love and focus. They calculate how to be in their favorite place for
the longest periods of time possible doing exactly what they feel makes life meaningful.
Then, they act on their inclinations. Isn’t that the kind of person you would
want evaluating your writing?
E.B. has promised to let me interview her soon, so I thought
I should consider her style and pick up some pointers to use to my advantage.
I know there are more than just five reasons that E.B. is
such a talented interviewer. What have you noticed and enjoyed from reading her
interviews?
