Let me tell you, when you want to truly capture what makes a place special, what makes a travel story sing, it all comes down to one thing: talking to people, really talking to them. It’s not just about asking questions; it’s about making a real connection, building trust, and being good at listening. That’s how you dig up those raw, honest details that can turn a good story into an amazing one. I’m going to share some strategies I’ve picked up, stuff that has transformed how I approach interviews, helping me get those compelling insights, and ultimately, totally captivating readers with the real spirit of a place or experience.
Why Talking to People is Absolutely Essential for Travel Stories
Sure, seeing things with your own eyes is super important for travel writing. But honestly, interviews are what bring your stories to life in ways just describing things can’t. They bring you:
- Stories Straight From the Source: Beyond just what you see, talking to people tells you why things are the way they are, the history behind them, how they affect people, and those subtle cultural understandings. You get the inside scoop, directly.
- Real, Honest Voices: When you use direct quotes, it adds so much credibility, emotion, and that authentic local flavor. It lets your readers “hear” the people who are part of your story, making it feel more real and immersive.
- Those Special, Unique Tidbits: You know, the best stuff often comes from personal stories. A local guide remembering their childhood, a chef’s moment of discovery with a dish, or a craftsperson sharing wisdom passed down through generations – these are pure gold for truly touching stories.
- Surprising New Angles: The people you talk to often know things you’d never discover just by exploring on your own. They can point you to hidden gems, explain traditions you’ve never heard of, or reveal unexpected challenges. All of this just enriches your story with fresh perspectives.
- Credibility and Depth: When you include voices from the community itself, it really solidifies your reporting. It shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely committed to understanding the subject matter way beyond just surface-level observations.
Without knowing how to do good interviews, travel writing can easily become a nice, but ultimately shallow, recounting of sights. But with it? You go beyond the ordinary, delivering stories that truly impact and stay with people.
Getting Ready: Setting the Stage for Interview Success
A lot of the time, whether an interview is successful or not is decided before you even ask the first question. Being super prepared isn’t just an option; it’s absolutely critical.
1. Figure Out Your Story’s Core and What You Need to Learn
Before you approach anyone, nail down exactly what information you absolutely need.
- For Example: Let’s say I’m writing about sustainable tourism in Costa Rica. My main story might be “how ecotourism affects local communities.” So, for my interviews, I’d want to:
- Understand the specific challenges a local conservation group faces.
- Get some personal stories from a resort owner about switching to eco-friendly practices.
- Learn about the daily lives of community members who are benefiting (or not) from tourism.
Avoid just hoping for the best. Knowing your angle means your questions will be focused and efficient.
2. Research, Research, Research: Go Deeper Than What You See on the Surface
Trying to interview without doing enough research is like trying to navigate a new city without a map – you’ll just get lost.
- The Topic Itself: Understand the history, culture, politics, and what’s currently happening in your destination and topic. This prevents you from asking basic questions that are easily found online and lets you ask more sophisticated, insightful follow-ups.
- Here’s a Real Example: If I’m interviewing a chef about a traditional dish, I’d research the dish’s origins, typical ingredients, and different versions. This allows me to ask, “I noticed you use plantains in your Mofongo, while some recipes call for yuca. What led to that adaptation?” – which is way more engaging than “What are the ingredients?”
- The Person You’re Talking To: If you can, research the person you’re interviewing. Their background, previous interviews they’ve done, projects they’ve worked on, or things they’ve said publicly can give you invaluable context and help you customize your questions.
- Another Example: If I’m interviewing a well-known environmentalist, I’d read their published papers or watch their past talks. I might find out they’re particularly passionate about marine conservation, which would lead me to ask, “Given your extensive work with coral reefs, how do you see the current tourism boom impacting the local marine ecosystem here?” This shows respect and that I’m truly engaged.
3. Create a Smart Question Plan: It’s a Guide, Not a Strict Script
Think of your question plan as a guide, not something you have to read word-for-word. It just makes sure you cover all the important areas while still letting the conversation flow naturally.
- Open-Ended Questions: These encourage detailed answers, rich in emotion and information. They start with “How,” “Why,” “What was it like,” “Tell me about…”
- Not Great: “Did you like the festival?” (Yes/No)
- Much Better: “Tell me about your most vivid memory from the Día de los Muertos celebration last year. What did you see, hear, smell, feel?”
- Closed-Ended Questions (Use Sparingly): Only use these for specific facts (dates, numbers, names) or to confirm information.
- Example: “What year was this temple consecrated?”
- Hypothetical Questions: These can really reveal deeper intentions or values.
- Example: “If you could change one thing about the tourism industry here, what would it be and why?”
- Behavioral Questions: Focus on past experiences to get an idea of future thoughts or reveal character.
- Example: “Describe a time when a tourist interaction really surprised or delighted you.”
- Order Your Questions: Start broad, then get more specific. Go from general observations to personal experiences, and finally to opinions and insights.
- Think About Follow-Up Questions: For every main question, imagine what they might say and prepare a follow-up question based on that. This shows you’re actively listening and thinking ahead.
- Example (Question): “What are the biggest challenges facing local artisans here?”
- Possible Answers & Follow-ups:
- “Competition from imported goods.” -> “How do you make your products stand out?”
- “Not enough access to markets.” -> “What kind of support would really make a difference?”
- “Passing on traditional skills.” -> “How do younger generations feel about these crafts?”
4. Logistics: The Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Make sure everything is set up for a smooth conversation.
- Scheduling: Confirm the date, time, and how long you expect it to last. Be on time!
- Location: Pick a quiet, comfortable place that’s good for talking. Avoid noisy cafes if you need to get deep insights. If you’re interviewing out in the field, think about background noise.
- Tools:
- Recorder: Absolutely essential for accuracy. Always ask for permission before you start recording. Have a main one and a backup (your phone app is a great backup). Test it out beforehand.
- Notebook and Pens: For quickly jotting down important phrases, observations, body language, or things you want to follow up on later. Sometimes a quick note is faster than stopping the audio flow.
- Camera (Optional): If visuals are part of your story, ask if taking photos would be alright after the interview or as a separate thing.
- Permission: Clearly state why you’re doing the interview and how the information will be used (e.g., “for an article in Traveler Magazine about…”). Make sure they’re comfortable with being quoted.
The Art of the Interview: Connecting and Finding Those Gems
The interview itself is like a dance, a delicate balance of being in control and being spontaneous, guiding and listening.
1. Building Trust: It’s More Than Just Being Polite
Building trust isn’t about becoming best friends; it’s about making them feel comfortable and safe enough to share honest insights.
- Warm Welcome: Start with a genuine greeting. Thank them for their time.
- Brief Small Talk: Comment on the location, the weather, something casual to break the ice. This isn’t wasted time; it’s about making it a human interaction.
- Really Listen with Your Whole Self:
- Eye Contact: Shows you’re engaged.
- Body Language: Lean in a little, nod, uncross your arms. Show you’re open.
- Verbal Cues: “Mm-hmm,” “I see,” “Go on…”
- Don’t Interrupt: Let them finish their thoughts. Resist the urge to jump in with your next question.
- Empathy and Understanding: Try to imagine yourself in their shoes. If they share a difficult experience, acknowledge it with a brief, empathetic statement (“That sounds hard,” or “I can imagine how much pressure you felt”).
- Show You’re Genuinely Curious: Your questions should show you truly want to learn, not just tick boxes. This leads to more enthusiastic and detailed answers.
2. Asking Questions: The Dynamic Flow
This is where your plan meets reality. You have to be flexible.
- Start Broad, Then Get Specific: Ease into the conversation with general questions to make them feel comfortable before getting into more sensitive or specific topics.
- Initial: “Tell me about growing up in this village.”
- Later: “What role did the annual fishing festival play in your childhood here?”
- Listen More Than You Talk: You’re there to get information, not to impress them with what you know. Resist the urge to jump in with your own opinions or stories.
- Embrace Silence: It can be uncomfortable for some, but silence can be incredibly powerful. Often, after a short pause, someone will offer a deeper thought or a crucial detail they were hesitant to share. Don’t rush to fill it.
- The Power of “Tell Me More” or “Can You Explain That?”: These simple prompts are so valuable. When you hear something interesting, don’t just move on. Dig deeper.
- Example: “You mentioned the river being the ‘heartbeat’ of the community. Can you explain what you mean by that? What specific parts of life here revolve around the river?”
- Go With the Flow: If someone brings up something unexpected but relevant, be ready to slightly change your plan. This is often where the most compelling, unscripted content comes out.
- Example: You’re talking about a food tradition, and they mention a unique local ingredient that grows nowhere else. Ditch your next planned question and ask, “That’s fascinating! Tell me more about that ingredient. How does it change the taste, and are there any stories connected to collecting it?”
- Avoid Leading Questions: Don’t put words in their mouth or suggest an answer.
- Not Good: “Wasn’t that sunset absolutely breathtaking from the viewpoint?” (Implies an expected answer)
- Much Better: “Describe the view from the viewpoint at sunset. What did you notice?”
- Clear Up Anything Unclear: If an answer is vague or not clear, politely ask for specifics.
- Example: “When you say ‘things are changing,’ could you give me a concrete example of a recent change you’ve seen?”
- The “Five Whys” Technique: For a deeper understanding, keep asking “Why?” to uncover the layers of a situation or belief. (Use this carefully so you don’t sound like you’re interrogating them).
- Example: “Why do you think young people are leaving this village?” -> “Because opportunities are elsewhere.” -> “Why are opportunities elsewhere?” -> “Larger cities have better education and jobs.” -> “Why don’t those exist here?” (and so on)
3. Capturing the Story: Beyond Just Words
Recording is crucial, but really capturing the story involves more.
- Keywords and Phrases: While recording, jot down strong quotes, unique local phrases, or important terms that stand out. These will really help you find specific moments during transcription and remember the core of their response.
- Sensory Details: Note down what you observe about the person or their surroundings: their hand gestures, the traditional clothes they’re wearing, the smell of spices from the kitchen, the sounds outside their window. These sensory details can be woven into your story, adding so much richness.
- Emotional Cues: Is their voice tinged with nostalgia? Do their eyes light up when they talk about something they’re passionate about? Does a topic make them sigh or frown? These non-verbal cues give you a deeper understanding and can inform how you describe their answers.
After the Interview: Making the Most of Your Great Finds
The interview isn’t over when you shake hands. The work keeps going.
1. Say Thank You and Keep It Professional
- Immediately Thank Them: Thank them sincerely for their time and insights. Reiterate how valuable their contribution is to your story.
- Follow Up (If Needed): If you promised to send them the article, or if you have a quick follow-up question, send a polite email within 24 hours.
2. Transcribe and Organize: Digging Through the Data
This is where raw information turns into something you can actually use.
- Transcription:
- Full Transcription: For super important interviews, a word-for-word transcript is invaluable. It lets you analyze every small detail and find exact quotes. AI transcription services can give you a decent first draft, but always review and correct them. Local accents or specific words can confuse them.
- Summary Transcription: For less critical interviews, you might just summarize main points, noting time markers for crucial quotes you might want to pull directly.
- Highlight and Categorize: Once transcribed, go through with virtual highlighters.
- Key Quotes: Phrases that are powerful, insightful, or beautifully put.
- Anecdotes/Stories: Short narratives they told.
- Facts/Figures: Data points.
- Personal Opinions/Emotions: Insights into how they feel.
- Unanswered Questions: What still needs to be researched or asked?
- Group by Theme: Group similar information or quotes under themes relevant to your story’s outline.
- Example: All quotes about “economic impact” in one place, “cultural preservation” in another, “personal challenges” in a third. This makes writing so much easier.
3. Fact-Checking and Verification
Never assume everything someone says is 100% accurate, especially if you’re dealing with historical events or complex data.
- Cross-Reference: Verify names, dates, titles, and factual claims using independent sources.
- Get Multiple Perspectives: If a story relies heavily on one person’s account, try to confirm parts of it with other sources. This adds strength to your reporting and avoids bias.
4. Weaving Interviews into Your Narrative
This is where the magic really happens – taking raw material and turning it into compelling writing.
- Don’t Just Drop Quotes: Weave quotes smoothly into your writing. Introduce them, explain their context, and then follow up with analysis or a transition.
- Not Effective: “‘The mountain is sacred to us.'”
- Effective: “Elena, a village elder whose family has lived at the base of the peak for generations, spoke with reverence. ‘The mountain is sacred to us,’ she explained, her voice softening as she gazed toward its mist-shrouded summit. ‘It is where our ancestors rest, and where our children learn patience from the unyielding stone.'”
- Mix Up Your Attribution: Don’t always say “he said” or “she said.” Try “explained,” “recounted,” “observed,” “mused,” “lamented,” “declared,” “whispered.”
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use the quotes and anecdotes to illustrate your points, rather than just stating them.
- Focus on the Best Bits: You don’t need to include every single word. Select the most impactful, evocative, and relevant quotes and stories that directly serve your narrative. This requires a strong editorial eye.
- Build Character: Use quotes to reveal the interviewee’s personality, passion, or perspective. Their unique way of speaking can add profound depth.
Advanced Interview Techniques: Taking Your Skills to the Next Level
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, these techniques will make your interviews go from good to extraordinary.
1. The “Off-Ramp” Question: Uncovering Unexpected Gems
Right as the interview is ending, ask a final, open-ended question that might seem unrelated to your main topic but gives them a chance to share something totally new.
- Example: “Before we finish, is there anything else you wish more people knew about [this place/your craft/your community]?” or “What’s one local secret or a favorite personal spot you’d recommend to a curious visitor, completely off the well-trodden path?” This often uncovers surprising, deeply personal, and super valuable insights that wouldn’t have emerged from your structured questions.
2. Using Silence and Empathy for Deeper Sharing
We talked about silence, but using it strategically is powerful. If someone shows strong emotion or hesitates, a compassionate silence, combined with eye contact, can be an invitation for them to open up more.
- Example: If they tell you about a difficult experience and then pause, don’t immediately jump in. A sympathetic look and a simple, genuine “That sounds incredibly challenging,” can be more effective than a bunch of questions. It shows you’re truly listening and understanding, building deeper trust.
3. Being Ready for “No Comment” or Resistance
Not every interview goes perfectly smoothly. Some people might be guarded, or certain topics might be sensitive.
- Rephrase Questions: If a question is met with resistance, try phrasing it in a less direct or more general way.
- Reassure (if appropriate): Remind them why you’re doing the interview and how important their insights are. Offer to talk off-the-record if needed (but be clear about what that means for attribution).
- Move On: If a topic is clearly off-limits, gracefully change the subject. Pushing too hard can damage the trust you’ve built. Sometimes, not being able to get an answer is a story in itself.
4. Guiding the Interviewee to Tell a Story
Gently guide the person you’re interviewing to tell a story instead of just giving you facts.
- “Walk me through…” “Walk me through a typical morning on this farm during harvest season.” This invites a narrative.
- “Describe a specific instance when…” Instead of “Is tourism good for the economy?”, ask “Describe a specific instance when you saw tourism directly benefit (or challenge) someone you know in the community.” This gets you anecdotes.
- Ask for Sensory Details: “What did it smell like when you first walked into the spice market?” “What sounds filled the air during that street parade?”
5. Managing Your Own Biases
As a writer, you bring your own experiences and perspectives. Actively work to minimize their influence during the interview and transcription.
- Listen to Understand, Not to Confirm: Don’t look for answers that just confirm what you already think. Listen for what is, not what you expect.
- Acknowledge Your Assumptions (Internally): If you notice yourself making an assumption, pause and question it.
- Present Multiple Viewpoints: If your story involves controversy, actively look for and present different perspectives, even if they challenge what you initially understood.
Wrap-Up: The Ongoing Journey of a Travel Story
Mastering travel interview techniques is a journey that never really ends. It’s about constantly refining your craft, developing empathy, and having an endless curiosity for the human stories packed into every destination. Through careful preparation, artful questioning, active listening, and thorough post-interview analysis, you can transform simple encounters into extraordinary narratives. The real power isn’t just in asking the right questions, but in creating a space for authentic voices to emerge, revealing that intricate dance of culture, community, and personal experience that makes a place truly come alive for your readers. Embrace the conversation, seek out the untold stories, and let the voices of the world enrich your travel tales beyond measure.