Whatever we are doing, we need to be ready to describe it succinctly and to tell why we do it, if we enjoy it, why, and if we find it difficult, and why, and other questions that are often part of our own inner dialogue about what's going on in our lives.
I work with writers, and also I write. It is important to prepare written descriptions and to be ready to answer orally, depending on the inquiring media, whether print, web site and blog information ("about" tabs), and for anyone that interviews you for print, audio, or visual media:
Be ready to answer key questions. You do not want to have to think as you answer. You want to be ready to remember what your answers really are, before the questions are asked.
Be ready to give the same or similar answers every time.
What kind of writing do you do?
Short answer examples: The genres/categories of your writing-fiction, nonfiction, or personal narrative.
Longer answer examples: If fiction/ based on a true story, or romance fiction, or adventure fiction, or historical fiction, or mystery, or children's, for example; if nonfiction, for example: how-to, essays, book (or movie) reviews, op-eds, news (or public interest) columns, biography, general information about...
What is your book about?
Short answer example: You can choose from the genres above, with a little information: It's a novel about a family/navy,WWII, love and hate....use your information to its best advantage to spark interest.
Expanded answer example: It's a novel about two brothers caught up in a competition that threatens to destroy not only them but their community/corps/secret society....choose the best and most interesting and informative words that best describe the true central theme of the story.
Another good example: Read the beginning of "'Mumbai Diaries' Review" in Related Articles at the end of this blog post! Notice how the words carefully selected to describe the 'about' flow to create interest.
How long did it take you to write it?
Are you working on anything else now? What are you working on now? Answer this kind of question in a way that will spark interest yet will not deflect interest from the present work. Refer back to the last published work and continue on its theme or title.
What helped you the most in the writing of this book (article/series, etc.)? Or, What kind of research did you have to do?
How did the idea come to you, to write about this?
How did the characters come to you, especially the villain? Is he/she modeled on someone you know?
What do you most enjoy about writing, and why?
What is most challenging for you, as a writer?
How are sales going? This is a very personal question. If you have a publisher, defer to the publisher, who keeps the numbers. But speak positively about the potential for interest in this book and why people should read it.
Why should I read this book? Why should anyone read this book? This is your chance to be ready, to answer clearly and concisely. For example: I wrote to tell a story that intrigued me. I wrote to bring the reader into it along with the characters (name two key ones, perhaps), and to keep the pages turning with increased interest.
Most of all, take your time, having prepared in advance with answers that are accurate, interesting, and, perhaps, entertaining. Be ready to open yourself up without being wordy and without faltering. You should not have that shocked expression, as if you had never thought about the questions you might get.
Every interview, every summary you write, and every mission statement or book/article description you do for yourself will help prepare you for these moments. Opportunities may come at unexpected times, when a stranger in a group after a meeting or at a get together will ask similar questions of interest.
Be true, be interesting, and be ready!
