Help! I'm going to be on Radio!!!!

Firstly congrates...

OK OK I did a half hour interview for my BBC thing and it really isnt that bad at all. Its just like a natural convosation, dont be afraid to show your reactions, laugh, just be yourself.
If you think its nessesary get someone to give you a practice round of questions that need to be more consise such as about what your next novel is about.
However, I never got warned about the interview until about a minute before and didnt get time to see the questions let alone plan any answers! But this worked better for me because it was natural and didnt sound rehersed.
It is very inlikely to be live...in fact basically impossible and I'm sure they will tell you that if you fluff up the answer you can do it again and they will edit it out, but i'd check any way!

good luck!

What Ruby said and...breathe!
I'd jot down a few key notes that you'd like to get across during the interview. But other than that, be yourself. You'll do fine!

And congratulations!

Just want to say Congratulations. The only advice I could lend, is talk with them as if you're talking with a friend. Relax, and let it flow. Some people prefer a copy of the questions beforehand. But to me all this does, is prepare you to answer questions a certain way of which you practiced or rehearsed. I like the spur of the moment questions, I think it keeps the atmosphere comfortable, especially for radio. No visual, just voice. Good Luck!

If it's live and by phone, here are the mechanics of what happens. It's pretty simple. Someone at the station, probably a producer, makes an appointment with you to call at a certain time. You wait for the call. (Pick a place free of background noise. For an hour interview, it makes sense to have something to drink handy.) When the call comes in, they'll verify that the right person has answered it. Then they'll put you on hold for five minutes. You'll hear the station's broadcast through the phone: the host winding up with the previous guest, commercials, traffic and weather, whatever's on. You'll know it's almost your turn when you hear the host introducing you. Then the host will greet you, and you'll start talking spontaneously and eloquently.

Listening to a few interviews on the same program might give you an idea of what sort of questions to expect.

Congratulations!

You might also want to have your GRIT submission handy in case a specific portion is mentioned (amazing how the brain can freeze up - if you have the magazine handy it will help) or you get inspired to read a passage based on something you're talking about.

Cool! You'll do great. Drink a Hot Lemon Drop before you go.


1 large lemon wedge, squeezed

1 cup of hot water

sweeten to taste (honey, sweetner or sugar)



Clears your throat and calms the nerves (because you're having something warm and yummy).

Congrats.

I have no useful advice on this topic. Just have fun with it. That's all anyone can expect...

Sheryl Nantus said:

now I come to those who know MUCH better than I...

HELP!!!

what should I expect, what should I do/not do, what should I say/not say...

Click to expand...

I've been on several radio interviews for:

a charity I coordinate/run
plays I've been in
fundraising for a Red Cross Sumo Wrestling event
station ids/commercial work

Here's what I can tell you. Relax. You know your stuff. It'll be you and the host and maybe a few other people in the room. No pressure yes? The microphone is just there to broadcast your voice, no biggie. Be comfortable, be relaxed. Go in early if you don't know the host of the show so that you can chat and get to know the person a little. It helps, believe me. (I've been fortunate in that I'm at least friendly with all the radio hosts I've worked with and was able to chat before/after the show about things. A friend who was doing the Red Cross work with me didn't know the host and so almost froze up).

Most importantly tough, RELAX! It's the HOST'S job to make sure the program works! If you're obviously not comfortable, they'll steer the conversation toward comfortable subjects, they'll ask you stuff you already know so that you can 'get the swing of things'. Once you get over the 'panic/nerves' mode of doing something, you'll find your doing well.

Besides, you've got great stuff to talk about don't you?

Rabe...