The First Interview

To prepare for this trip, I read through tips, tricks, questions and samples that might help make the most of the interview process. Armed only with my laptop and a list of questions and thoughts on what a non-chrono yet succinct set of chapters might look like, I was determined to perfectly capture Grandma.

Her assignment before I got here was to look through old photographs and memorabilia to help jog her memory. I suppose I had it in my head that her only other assignment was to sit and answer my questions as well as she could.

Hah!

Our first round of interviews, while I maintain that it went swimmingly, was anything but. Before we even started, I knew I was going to have to pay for bringing a video recorder instead of a voice recorder. True to form, Grandma fussed for a solid half an hour about lighting, angles, which was her good side, and "No Jessica, you cannot record while I take a sip from my glass."

The first round of interviews was just as much a learning experience about our family lineage as it was how best to tell Go Go that the videos can be edited, no we will not be stopping while dates are confirmed, and there WILL be time to fill in details. Aunt Sherry sat and listened while she took notes - just as interested in the project as I believe myself to be.

There are more thoughts, but as I am now a day or two behind on Grandma Blog, I think I will save those for posts to come. Until then!