Usually, you know almost right away if an interview is going to be easy or is going to be like pulling a bear’s rotten teeth. The interviews for this story were fun and that was clear to see from the start.
It’s always easier when you’re asking about something that your subject wants to talk about. Also, it works better if your subjects have given some thought to what they do and why they do it, as is the case when you do a story about a transition in someone’s life or business. I’ve had interviews in which the subject was perfectly amiable but they couldn’t verbalize why they do what they do. “It’s just what I’ve always done.” That makes it less easy for a writer.
It also must be easier to do such interviews in the South, where many folks are expansive and will keep talking just to fight off an awkward silence. Northerners who don’t know you are more likely to let that silence fall and just stare at you. They will have a challenge in their eyes that says, “What else, buddy? Are we done here yet?”
Over at Stevens & Wilkinson I could have hung out for an added hour and not run out of good stories to hear. Glad to write some of their stories down.
http://www.columbiabusinessreport.com/news/50906-architect-of-columbia-skyline-undergoes-change