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Susan Kuklin's books
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From: Susan Kuklin <76641.3035>
Date: 24 Apr 97 16:24:42 EDT
Dearest Ginnie:
I cherish your support!
You asked me how I make it possible for young people to speak out. The answer is rather simplistic: ask a question and then listen to the answer. People, especially young people, so want their voices to be heard. How many times have we heard (or uttered) the phrase, "You're not listening to me!" We say it to our spouses and friends. Youngsters say it to their parents and teachers. The need to be heard, warts and all, is a common trait we all seem to share.
I don't want to "hog" this terrific istserver so I will try to give you a short version about how I get people to speak out in my books. First and most important, the interviewee and I get to know each other. Before I begin to tape or photograph, we become friends. (this works for ANY age person.) Secondly, I make certain that the person fully understands the purpose of my project. They have to want to participate, coaxing never works. During the interview I listen. Really listen. It's their time, not mine. It's their thoughts and opinions. (I get to have my say in the introduction.) I always ask open-ended questions. And those questions are very specific. I try not to put the person on the defensive and never disapprove. We chit chat, eat, hang out, laugh, cry, it's all very loose.
After two or three 2-hour taping sessions, I all transcribe all the tapes to " put their voices in my bones." During the writing and editing process, we phone back and forth with more answers to fill in gaps and refine ideas. Interviewees get to see the final version of their piece to check for accuracy. No one has ever, and I mean ever, tried to change their persona after reading their interview. There's a reason for that: I work with some of the most fabulous, adorable, inciteful, perfect people in the world (notice the objectivity here).
If you want specific information, just give a hollar. In the meantime I so enjoy reading your listserve. We authors, librarians, and teachers are partners in the exciting world of books. CCBC helps me to feel closer to you all.
Susan Kuklin
Received on Thu 24 Apr 1997 03:24:42 PM CDT
Date: 24 Apr 97 16:24:42 EDT
Dearest Ginnie:
I cherish your support!
You asked me how I make it possible for young people to speak out. The answer is rather simplistic: ask a question and then listen to the answer. People, especially young people, so want their voices to be heard. How many times have we heard (or uttered) the phrase, "You're not listening to me!" We say it to our spouses and friends. Youngsters say it to their parents and teachers. The need to be heard, warts and all, is a common trait we all seem to share.
I don't want to "hog" this terrific istserver so I will try to give you a short version about how I get people to speak out in my books. First and most important, the interviewee and I get to know each other. Before I begin to tape or photograph, we become friends. (this works for ANY age person.) Secondly, I make certain that the person fully understands the purpose of my project. They have to want to participate, coaxing never works. During the interview I listen. Really listen. It's their time, not mine. It's their thoughts and opinions. (I get to have my say in the introduction.) I always ask open-ended questions. And those questions are very specific. I try not to put the person on the defensive and never disapprove. We chit chat, eat, hang out, laugh, cry, it's all very loose.
After two or three 2-hour taping sessions, I all transcribe all the tapes to " put their voices in my bones." During the writing and editing process, we phone back and forth with more answers to fill in gaps and refine ideas. Interviewees get to see the final version of their piece to check for accuracy. No one has ever, and I mean ever, tried to change their persona after reading their interview. There's a reason for that: I work with some of the most fabulous, adorable, inciteful, perfect people in the world (notice the objectivity here).
If you want specific information, just give a hollar. In the meantime I so enjoy reading your listserve. We authors, librarians, and teachers are partners in the exciting world of books. CCBC helps me to feel closer to you all.
Susan Kuklin
Received on Thu 24 Apr 1997 03:24:42 PM CDT
