Tracey Wallace shares two key tips for mastering the art of interviewing. The first tip, "Follow the Pain," encourages interviewers to discern subtle cues indicating hardships or challenges faced by interviewees. By delving into these experiences, interviewers can uncover compelling stories that resonate with audiences, making the interviewee more relatable. Wallace suggests active listening and recording interviews to capture authentic narratives effortlessly.
The second tip, "Make Them the Hero of the Story," revolves around crafting a storytelling arc akin to the Hero's Journey. Interviewers guide interviewees through their journey, exploring the before, initiation, and return phases of change or challenges they encountered. By positioning interviewees as heroes within their narratives, interviewers can extract valuable insights and emotions, understanding the motivations that drive individuals. This approach humanizes the storytelling process, aiming to connect readers with the interviewee's unique and relatable experiences. Ultimately, Wallace emphasizes the importance of understanding human motivations and weaving these into storytelling for a truly compelling narrative.