“There will be no cooking of live (or still wiggling) animals”
I’m giving my first TV interview this morning. Don’t! Let’s not talk about it!
What I do want to mention is that yesterday I studied the Frequently Asked Questions sheet the news station sends to people to help them prepare for their interviews, and there’s some awfully helpful information on that. My favorite being, “There will be no cooking of live (or still wiggling) animals allowed on the show under any circumstances.” I like the “under any circumstances” part, because obviously people have tried to get them to make exceptions. “But he’s only a little bit alive–” “NO!”
The tip sheet also reminds us to not wear white (doesn’t show up well), to “be practiced and polished, avoid the word ‘um,’ and be sure to bring an upbeat attitude and a big smile.”
Nothing at all about not hurling right before you go on.
I don’t think I’m nervous, but then I’m not there yet. I still have to make the long drive up to Phoenix this morning, overthinking it along the way. Plus I’ve had to ditch my all-white ensemble–was going for the Tom Wolfe look, but I guess that’s shot down–and instead I’ll be wearing my second choice of nice jeans, nice top, and a black jacket that hopefully won’t show my sweat. I’ve been informed not to expect anyone to do my hair or makeup, so they’ll just have to take me as I am, bright blue eye shadow and clown cheeks the way I always have them. Kidding. I actually don’t really wear makeup anymore, so this should be interesting.
Last week I flirted with the idea of switching back to contacts for this interview, but ultimately I decided not to pretend in any way. This is what I look like–yes, maybe I have been eating a lot of Chex Mix lately, why do you ask?–and this is how I dress and this is how I sound, and maybe that includes a few “ums” here and there.
But I do not cook live or still wiggling animals, so at least I’m that far ahead. No one will have to speak to me sternly.
Time to get it together, folks. I’ll let you know how it goes.
What’s the name of my book again?
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Author Interviews, Television Interviews, There Will Be No Cooking of Wiggling Authors
August 27th, 2007 at 5:06 am
You have a book?
When is it coming out?
August 27th, 2007 at 5:45 am
Good luck! I’ve been on TV twice now. I think it gets better with time. I don’t look half as nervous the second time around.
They never sent me a tip sheet about live animals, though. Pity.
August 27th, 2007 at 6:03 am
Do you think they were trying to subtly reassure you with the “there will be no cooking of live animals”? I mean, that includes authors, too, right? So I take that to mean that the studio lights won’t be overly hot, that the questions will be fun and just thought-provoking enough, and that YOU will be providing the intellectual hotness. Uh-huh!
August 27th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Oh, Robin, you can get Ritz snack mix in the 100 calorie packs now. I was so happy, because I love snack mix.
I’m sure you will do fine. You have a lovely voice and you a fun personality. And your outfit sounds cute.
August 27th, 2007 at 7:54 am
And that was so riddled with typos that I think I’m going to hurl now.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I did a craft segment deal on the morning news here in town about six or so years ago, and I totally threw up before I went on, but then it all went just fine. Robert Frost threw up pretty much every time he did a live event, so I figure I’m in good company. Of course, he wasn’t much of a reader. (Have you ever heard a recording of him reading his own poetry? Total monotone.)
I say “um” and “yeah” all the time. How does one NOT say “um” and “yeah”? I don’t know. Plus if I don’t pay extremely careful attention, my country-ish regionalisms start popping up (”crick” instead of “creek,” for instance).
August 27th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I’ve done two TV interviews and I thought it was a lot of fun. Just go with it - you’ve earned this - enjoy it thoroughly!
August 27th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Um, can you, um, wear white if it’s before labor day? And what if you wanted to cook an animal that morning, um, for like, um, breakfast? Is that allowed? And are you allowed to bring, um, still wiggling animals on for, um, show and tell as long as you promise not to, um, y’know, cook ‘em?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Break a still-wiggly leg!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Robin! Robin! Robin!!! You’ll do awesome. You’ve got your own personal cheerleading squad over on your blog. So if you start feeling a little nervous, think about what Patrick and (A)annette would be talking about, and I bet you’ll be fine.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:14 am
We would be talking about ME! Good plan Vivian! Think about ME, Robin!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:29 am
I hope the interview goes well (I’m sure it will).
August 27th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Good luck with the interview and please,please let us know when it is on and what show it’s on-that way,it’ll be easier for us to track it down on YouTube:)
August 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
“what Patrick and annette would be talking about”–bad advice there vivian as, coincidently, patrick and i have been talking of little else other than the offing of live, still wiggling animals. in fact we’re thiinking of collaborating on a cookbook. (ugh, better stop, this is starting to sound a little jeffery damer-ish).
rb, you know you will kick phoenix butt, they will be beggin’ for more.
August 27th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I made it! No puking, and only very little sweating. I think the spot was only three minutes long, and even though I know I said words the whole time, it’s just a blur in my brain. But I think it went all right.
Thank you all so much for the sweet and funny and kind and helpful tips and well-wishes. You have no idea how good it feels to know that I have a home team section back here. Makes me feel very protected.
As for the YouTube talk, I seriously doubt if my little 3-minute deal will show up anywhere. I don’t even know how that works–how anyone knows to find it and post it. But Lady T, just because you asked, I will tell you it was on Good Day Arizona, Channel 3 Phoenix, at 11:39 AM this morning. Followed immediately by a local hair salon doing back-to-school makeovers on a few college students. I stuck around for that, but left before the bakery people came on to talk about their cookies.
A very weird day today, I must tell you all. But fun!
Thanks so much for caring!
August 27th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Oh, yay, Robin! (It’s totally normal that it’s a blur- it’s always like that for me. I guess by the end, you’re mortified or exhilarated, and it’s tough to recall the details.)
August 27th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
No luck in finging your interview so far,Robin(even went to the Channel 3 station’s website and registered with them,but they don’t have a video clip of you yet)but I did see this on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sWrl1aZFsgQ
August 27th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Arrgh,I meant “finding” not “finging”! Darn my excited typing ways!
August 27th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Congrats on doing so well, Robin! I can’t wait until it turns up somewhere I can watch it.
Ink: since when are you on TV?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Lady T, you’re really on this! I can’t believe the lengths you’ve already gone to–thank you! Wow! And thanks for posting that book trailer. I stumbled across that last week, and was so happily surprised. I didn’t even know they were doing that!
Miri and Ink, I know you know each other because you’re both making costumes for DragonCon.
August 28th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Break a leg! Okay, so I’m a day late with the broken limb wishes, but they still count. How did it go?
Save the animals! (Vegetarian & animal rights activist alert…)
August 28th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Aw,come on,Robin-you’re making me blush over here:)! Glad to post your book trailer and I’ll be adding it to my September book preview post today.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Robin, I just ‘happened’ to have my tv on the channel you appeared at the right time. Here is my impression of your interview—–you did great and your responses followed the correct list of do’s and don’ts. However, I could detect that slight sparkle out of the corner of your eye and knew you really wanted to get up and tap dance in the studio. Enough about your book, you have other talents that you wanted to show right then on stage under the lights. Don’t try to fool us, your toes were itching to do a heel, heel, toe, toe. Am I right?
August 29th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I have to head on over to Lady T’s to check out the trailer. YouTube, YouTube, YouTube.
August 29th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Just gave a little SCREAM about the book trailer. **Shriek!!** **SHRIEK!!!!**
Okay, two shrieks. And a lot of chair dancing.
Wow, you and your peeps are TV-savvy. I’m not worthy! Maybe the station has a copy of the interview they’ll let you have?
Yay, Robin!
August 29th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Little Willow, I had that same sort of “Ew” save the animals kind of reaction, too. Luckily the people who went on after me were from a local bakery, and they were all about cookies. Mmm.
Lady T, thanks so much for doing that! You are so YouTube savvy–just like TadMack says. I bow to your skillz.
MJG, thank you! You’re so nice. But I think that “slight sparkle” you noticed was really just me thinking, “Gah! I’m on TV! This ride is spinning too fast!”
Kelly, I’m with you on the YouTube chant. So much entertainment.
TadMack, thanks for the shrieks on my behalf! Aren’t you just a sweetie! That tip sheet the station sent me says they don’t give interviewees a copy, but the publicist at Random House told me she’s ordering one in case anyone wants to see it before booking me for their program. Gulp. I didn’t realize it was going to be my audition tape. All so weird!