Wow, great questions. Thanks. I like enjoy both the process of doing interviews and the writing, but I'd have to say I enjoy writing more. It may sound dorky, but it's a lot of fun taking all these quotes and all this information and putting it together for people to digest, so to speak. It's a bit like a puzzle and a painting. How does it fit together best, and then how can it be fun to read? I love it. Interviewing is fun too, when it's a good subject. I love asking tough questions and different questions they may not have expected. Plus, the interview process is fun because it's fun to watch someone talk and tell me everything about something they're passionate about. We all love to tell stories about ourselves and answer questions (just look at how popular these "ask the __" threads are.) People like it when you take interest in who they are by simply listening to them.
As far as other writing, I have done some stuff for
www.relevantmagazine.com. I want to do more though. Other than that, I don't really have time to do a lot of extra writing, unfortunately. Along with all the weird hours I work here, I spend a lot of time with my wife, my two sons, our families, friends and at church and with our small group at church. I also play guitar too. I think if I got a job where I did less or no writing, I'd do a lot more freelance work.
As far as being interviewed, I do enjoy it. It's nice for a change. I've really enjoyed this thread and answering all the questions you guys have asked me and getting to know you guys as well. (I wish there were some more nonjournalism related questions though!)
To get people out of their comfort zone or beyond the typical soundbite when I'm interviewing them, I just try to get to know them better outside of the side they're presenting to me. When ever I start an interview, I always try to be fun and light-hearted and ask them how their day is going and crap like that ( I HATE small talk. I'm horrible at it. I'd much rather go up to people and talk about what they're struggling with or whatever. I like the deep, personal stuff. Fortunately, I get to ask those deep questions with my job . . . and on this thread. Otherwise I couldn't do this job. I'm too shy when it comes to small talk.) Usually, if I'm calling a cop about an accident or something (when I do a crime or cops story) it helps me get more information if I treat them like a person, not just a cop . . . if that makes sense.
I would say the thing that I've learned as a reporter that surprised me the most is how willing people are to open up to me. Think about it. I just suddenly enter into their lives, sometimes unannounced or without their permission, and ask them the toughest, deepest most personal questions. I would say more than 90 percent of the time, these people, many of whom wouldn't open up to anyone else otherwise, trust me, a complete stranger, to not only accurately record that time in their life, but then accurately and fairly share it with "the world." It's incredible. It's really humbled me and sometimes even scares the crap out of me.
By the way, I would love to interview Larry David! Sounds like you knew what you were doing.