The Wilful Sunflower

Nowadays I tell people I'm a freelance writer. Coz it seems like that's what I'm doing right now, and it's easier to explain than "Oh, I have two jobs, and I'm confused about my career..." :P

Ever since I started writing professionally again, I've been reminded of the two greatest pet peeves I had in journalism:

1. People who don't talk, and
2. People who are vague about details.

I love talking with people who are gregarious and talkative coz they give the most interesting interviews. They're passionate about their subject and it comes through when they expound on it. All I have to do is ask a few questions, and they're off! Hardly any need to prompt. I always come away from the interview with stories, anecdotes, and, in journalism-speak, "good quotes". Helps me to write a better, more engaging article.

But with other people... it's like a chunk of gold would fall out the minute their lips are prised open. You ask them one thing, and they give you the shortest answer possible.

Me: "What is your fondest memory?"
He: "My first vacation in a foreign country."
Me: "Why?"
He: "It was enjoyable."
Me: "Where did you go?"
He: "Phuket, Thailand."
Me: "Why did you find it so enjoyable?"

You see? You SEE?!?! It's like pulling teeth!!! Arrrrggghhhh!!!

These are the 'dry' interviews, as I privately call them. When I just have to grit my teeth and keep on digging, prising the information out bit by bit, hoping to hit pay dirt by finding a subject that will get them a little more animated, or at least hoping to get an interesting anecdote or two. Somehow.

And then there are the people who are vague about details.

She: "...and I participated in a national competition and won a medal."
Me: "What was the name of this competition?"
She: "I'm not sure, it was one of the Garland events."
Me: *raises one eyebrow* "You don't know the exact name of the competition?"
She: "Err... something like the Garland Nationals."
Me: (resigned) "When exactly did this take place?"
She: "1999."
Me: "Which month?"
She: "I can't remember. Somewhere towards the end of the year, I think."
Me: "And you won a medal. Gold, silver, or bronze?"

You see, journalists have to be detailed. And it doesn't help me when the people I speak to are vague and careless about details. I understand that in daily life we all tend to gloss over stuff, coz there's never a need to be pedantic and pin things down. But when you're talking to a journalist... do you have to make me ask and ask and ask until I feel like I'm an anal nosy parker who's making a pest of herself??

Once, I was writing an article where the interviewee had mentioned a time when her mother had broken a leg. My boss asked, "Which leg?" I was like, goodness, I'd never thought to ask. Did it even matter? Apparently it did. So I had to call up my interviewee once again just to ask which leg it had been. And SHE couldn't remember! So we chin-chai tembak (simply chose one).

See what I mean? I can just imagine what she must've been thinking: "You called just to ask which leg my mother broke?! How is that important at all? Haiyah, kacau (disturb) people only..."