I've been asked to interview one of the performers appearing at the Write on the Fringe Festival.
What a wonderful opportunity, I first thought. And an honour. I was chuffed actually.
And then my old companions fear and doubt paid me a visit. They tried to talk me out of it. You don't know how to interview people, they said to me. You're not a journalist. You don't know how to write anything other than reflective wisdom-type creative non-fiction...about yourself!
I did my best to ignore them and decided the best thing to do was to ask for help...after all, I have a dear friend who does this sort of stuff for a living - he'd be happy to help me out.
Yesterday after deciding I would call him, I had a change of heart - something in me said No...just wait. Intrigued, and for once, happy to be patient, I followed this guidance and this morning I know why.
This morning I felt compelled to look at my interviewee's web page again, to get a bit more of a feel for who she is and what she does. What became apparent was the need in me to connect. And I did - with her inspiration, her purpose, her creativity. And then it came to me - the hook I needed - my way in to the piece that I would endeavour to write.
This wouldn't have happened if I'd sought the help of my writer friend. I'd have missed the real opportunity here - to get past the doubt and the fear and to trust that I knew exactly what I needed to do. Cos it's not about being the best journalist, or doing it the way everyone else does it - it's about finding your own way. Learning to trust. Learning by trial.
