Are You Ready
For Your Talk Show Interview?
If
you're a
writer, this scenario must sound familiar...
You're
stretched out in a warm bath. Your
eyes are closed, and that creative mind of yours begins to
wander. You see your book in print. You see an eager press clamoring to get your
attention. You see
your favorite talk show host offering you a seat!
Questions swirl: When did
you know you wanted to be a writer? Where did you get the
inspiration for this book? Did you ever expect it to sell so
well?
Your
answers are gracious, witty and highly intelligent. The host
hangs on every word. You're a downright genius within the walls
of your darkened bathroom, but will it be the same when you sit for
the real thing, in the light of day?
1. You're
on the Today Show with Matt Lauer. When he introduces you to the
viewing public, he mispronounces your last name. What do you do?
a) Kick him in the shin.
b) Fold your arms, call him, "Mr. Liar."
c) Wait until he completes his introduction, then
provide the correct pronunciation of your last name.
2. Regis Philbin asks if there were any particular writers who
influenced your work. What do you do?
a) Pull out an alphabetical list.
b) Fold your arms and say, "My only hero is myself."
c) Name the few writers you mentally listed prior
to the show.
3. Barbara Walters is convinced your protagonist is really you.
What do you do?
a) Burst into tears.
b) Fold your arms and say, "Who are you, my therapist?"
c) Agree that, to a certain extent, all writers add some
of their traits to the characters they invent.
4. David Letterman admits he hasn't read your book yet. What do
you do?
a) Break
his microphone.
b) Fold your arms and say, "Yeah
well, I haven't watched your show
yet."
c) Thank him for having you as a guest anyway.
5. Jimmy
Fallon reads an excerpt from your book, then cracks a joke about
the lead character. What do you do?
a) Grab the book and
hug it.
b) Fold your arms and say,
"I fail to see the humor in that."
c) Laugh along with the crowd.
Obviously
the A and
B answers would make for
one interesting interview, but might not guarantee a second one.
If you
plan on writing more than one book, and sitting for more than
one interview, perhaps you should stick with the
C answers. They resemble that
gracious, witty and highly intelligent
individual you know from the bathtub.
Thorough
perusal
