Tutors told me things that made perfect sense regarding how to engage with key actor for my research. I’ve done this before, this isn’t new to me, and yet, here I am, making all kinds of rookie mistakes.
They told me: “Put your interviews in your calendar.”
Obvious, right? And still, I showed up a whole day later to one interview because I had written the wrong date. What’s wrong with me? I wouldn’t make that kind of mistake at work.
They told me: “Have a short answer prepared about your project, in case someone asks.”
Of course. And still, last week, after what I’d say was a really good interview, the interviewee surprised me by asking about my project: he wanted to connect me with other artists. I didn’t expect that. My response? “Eh, uh… my research is… eh, just starting, and it’s about… eh… *mumbling in Spanish*, yes.” I completely fumbled.
They told me: “Read your interviewee’s books beforehand”
This one was my favourite one because it sounded less obvious than the others. I used to think: If I’m interviewing someone, it’s because I want to learn about their work, it’s not a problem if I am not an expert in their work, right? Well, I had an interview with someone I had been trying to talk to for a month. I might only get this one chance. At the half of the interview I realized I was asking her things she had already answered in her book. More than making her uncomfortable and unread, my concer is that I could have gone deeper. The conversation could have been even more concrete, straightforward and action-based.
I missed that chance. Now I might have to wait until September -after summer- before I can speak with her again.