Ask the Author: Kim Chandler McDonald
Answered Questions (8)
Kim Chandler McDonald
The cornfields of the US mid-west and talk to a Seagull :)
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Kim Chandler McDonald
I'm catching up on the Slow Horses series. What a joy!
Kim Chandler McDonald
The initial glimmer of an idea for An Interviewer’s Guidebook: Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories began when I was mentoring some graduate students and realised that, although they had strong written skills, they were extremely uncomfortable presenting their ideas live, especially during Q&A sessions. I noticed they didn’t have a real strategy for preparing for these situations, and I knew that with a bit of preparation and practice, they could navigate them much more confidently.
A similar situation occurred when I mentored a more experienced professional who wanted to start a podcast but lacked interviewing experience. They were aiming to position themselves as a domain expert but needed to learn how to engage with others effectively. Drawing from the hundreds of interviews I’ve conducted, I gave them a few pages of tips and tricks. Their enthusiastic response made me realise I should share this advice more broadly. That’s when I decided to write the book. I wanted to share what I know so that, whether you’re a podcaster, an HR professional, a founder, or someone wanting to improve communication skills, this book would provide you with practical tools to elevate your interviews and storytelling.
A similar situation occurred when I mentored a more experienced professional who wanted to start a podcast but lacked interviewing experience. They were aiming to position themselves as a domain expert but needed to learn how to engage with others effectively. Drawing from the hundreds of interviews I’ve conducted, I gave them a few pages of tips and tricks. Their enthusiastic response made me realise I should share this advice more broadly. That’s when I decided to write the book. I wanted to share what I know so that, whether you’re a podcaster, an HR professional, a founder, or someone wanting to improve communication skills, this book would provide you with practical tools to elevate your interviews and storytelling.
Kim Chandler McDonald
Inspiration often comes from everyday conversations. I’ll be sharing a story or an experience with a colleague, or maybe mentoring someone, and they’ll say something like, “You should write a book about this!” If I can’t come up with a good reason why I haven’t already, that’s my cue to get started! That’s actually how ‘An Interviewer’s Guidebook: Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories’ came about—I realised there was a gap in resources for people who want to interview and communicate stories and ideas effectively. So, I wrote the book to fill that gap.
Kim Chandler McDonald
I’m just beginning the promotion of my latest book, An Interviewer’s Guidebook: Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories . One thing I’ve learned from previous projects is that it doesn’t matter whether you have a traditional publishing contract or you’re self published—marketing and promotion are key, and it’s a massive undertaking. It’s not enough to write a book; you need to get it into the hands of readers. I’m excited to be sharing this book with people who want to enhance their interviewing and storytelling skills, whether they’re podcasters, entrepreneurs, or anyone who needs to communicate effectively.
Kim Chandler McDonald
Do the work! There’s no shortcut to becoming a writer. You have to commit, be disciplined, and trust the process. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s often hard, but if you’re passionate about what you’re creating, that passion will push you through. I wrote ‘An Interviewer’s Guidebook: Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories’ after years of experience (and interviewing more than 600 influential, inspiring individuals!), but it still required sitting down, researching, and refining my ideas. So, my advice is: do the work, and the rest will follow.
Kim Chandler McDonald
For me, it’s about sharing a story, not necessarily chasing a bestseller list. Writing is a way to connect with others and communicate ideas or experiences that matter. In fact, I often think of books as business cards or door openers. They offer you a way into conversations or opportunities that you might not have otherwise. That’s why I encourage writers to focus on the story they want to tell rather than worrying about whether it will pay the mortgage. My own journey has taught me that when you lead with purpose, the right doors will open.
Kim Chandler McDonald
I don’t believe in forcing the process. Creativity doesn’t always follow a schedule, but what I’ve found helpful is to stay open to inspiration in everyday moments. I take copious notes, and whenever something resonates with me—whether it’s a conversation, a feeling, or even a random thought—I jot it down. These little sparks might not make sense right away, but over time, they often lead to something meaningful. Sometimes, looking back on those notes is all I need to break through the block. It's less about waiting for the perfect moment and more about being ready when inspiration strikes. I talk about the importance of staying open in my latest book, ‘An Interviewer’s Guidebook: Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories’, because you never know when they’ll help shape a great interview—or a great piece of writing!
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