Jan here, writing to you once again on a beautiful day from the sunny foothills of the Sierras.

In this last post in my series on interviewing, let’s take a look at more ways you can use the interview that you now have skillfully procured . . .

Something new

Usually we have sought permission to use the interview for a particular project, but there are always details within our research or the interview itself that aren’t specifically personal and exclusive to that person you interviewed.

When you researched for your interview, what new information did you unearth? It may not have been something you could use for your present interview or project, but it got your attention. How might you turn that into another interview opportunity or another writing project? Is there a way to incorporate it into a new speaking topic?

While you were interviewing, did your interviewee bring in a new angle of information, perspective, or emotion you hadn’t considered before? Even if it doesn’t work for your current project, explore it some. Get it into a file for future use, such as for a new angle for an article or book or, for fiction writers, for that detail that will add uniqueness to a character, setting, or scene.

Before you close that notebook or that document that contains the details of your interview, use what you’ve written down to prompt you for other details you may not have included. What else did the experience of the interview reveal about a person, a place, or a topic? If you interviewed in person, what do you remember about the setting where the interview took place? What does it tell you about that person or about what they shared?

Consider if God has used some aspect of this interview to grab hold of your heart. Is there something new he’s stirring you to do or to write?

Go Wide

Again, keep permissions in mind, but now that you have this great new information where can you use it and use it widely?

Brainstorm a list of ideas for articles, books, blog posts, and speaking topics. Keep going until you can’t think of anymore. But don’t stop. Go further. Usually when you think you’re done, those next few ideas that don’t come as easily could be your best.

Now write articles that are uniquely informative but that can also add mileage to marketing your book. Write blog posts that will contribute powerful insight to the tired usual. Play with the start of a new story or book.Consider what new interviews you can go after.

Keep the interviewing going!

Summer Interview Series:

Deeper into the Interview – When God might have more in mind for both of you than just getting the story down.

Who You Are as Interviewer – It matters who you are in the presence of another one of God’s created human beings.

Interviewing When the Story Gets Difficult – How to respond when difficult emotions stir in the interviewee.

Interivewing With Powerful Questions – How to create strong, powerful interview questions that won’t be boring.

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Jan writes nonfiction from her home in the foothills of the California Sierras. She is currently working on more material for the teen/ya audience and for those who deeply care about them. She also enjoys life coaching and mentoring writers. Visit her site at www.jankern.com.