Interview Yourself: A Writer's Challenge

I've been writing for Hubpages for two and a half years and have met friends from all over the world. Some of the writers on this site have become very dear to me and I would give anything to meet them in person. However, since I have followers from every continent except Antarctica—still waiting for ATT to install wi-fi—I could spend a lifetime travelling to meet you.

I know most of you from your bio's, the topics you write about, your personal blogs, and the forums—but do I really know you? Some of you I would love to sit down and have a cup of tea with and talk about writing, your life story, and the things that light a fire within your soul.

Here's our chance to have a virtual cup of tea. Biscuits included.

I find the show Inside the Actor's Studio to be very fascinating. James Lipton interviews famous Hollywood stars in front of a class of New York film students. He's a no frills interviewer and tries to get to the core of who his interviewee is. One interesting aspect of his show is that he asks every person on his show the same questions.

1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
5. What sound or noise do you love?
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
7. What is your favorite curse word?
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
9. What profession would you not like to do?
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Some joke around with the questions, but when they take it seriously, it gives the audience a new look into what makes them who they are.

What his show reveals is that these people are just normal human beings who are famous for being good at their craft. They have very similar desires and love many of the same things we do.

I love watching interviews with interesting people. I want to know what they've learned in life, where they are on their journey, and what obstacles they have overcome. There is something about honesty that stirs something inside of me.

I have a strong belief that we walk through this life drastically misunderstood. The more I get to know someone, the more I begin to understand their lot in life, and the less judgmental I am of them.

I really truly believe that if we took the time to better understand one another, the world would be a much more peaceful place. From my travels and having international roommates, I have discovered that how I can interpret someone can be vastly different from who they really are.

Interviewing yourself gives you the opportunity to represent who you are to the HubPages community. For a humorous view of this, check out Writer Fox's A Fox Fairy Tale: The Writer Fox Story.

There are two benefits to interviewing yourself:

1. It Will Build Your Writer's Platform

Here is a chance to tell the writing community who you are, what you like to write about, and what legacy you want to leave behind. It is a way for your readers, and the HubPages community to get to know you as a writer and author. It is a way for your readers to connect to you on a personal level.

2. You Will Learn More About Yourself

Learning to communicate your aspirations and your life story is a useful endeavor for job interviews, the back cover of your novel, or for personal use. If you've been a closet writer and you've never declared to the world that "I AM A WRITER!" then here is your chance.

You've probably heard of job placement services prompting potential employees to create a 30 second advertisement for why you're the best candidate. It's great to use when meeting with other professionals on the train, in the elevator, or at the watercooler. This interview may help you create a micro-biography for yourself.

Let's face it, People magazine or The New Yorker, probably won't be knocking on your door this week, so here's your chance to interview yourself and show the world who you are.

Here's how the game is played:

Privacy Protection

After all, you will be posting this for the whole world to see, so keep in mind that what you say on the internet never goes away. Family members, potential employers, and the IRS will all see it.

For your own protection, be wise about particulars like your specific place of employment or your neighborhood. We don't want any stalkers or creepy people. If you wish to remain behind an avatar, I will have no hard feelings.

Keep it Family Friendly

Although honesty is encouraged, keep topics like physical abuse to a minimum. Save bearing your whole soul for your memoir.

Show Us Who You Are

What do you like to write about? What do you do when you're not writing? Do you have any interesting cultural background? Do you have any obstacles you've overcome? What's your view on life? What has made you who you are?

My Questions

In the spirit of Inside the Actor's Studio, it would be really awesome if the participants of this challenge, would create a hub text section titled: Challenging Questions

The following questions can be copied onto your Interview Hub.

In the film version of your autobiography, who would you like to play yourself?

What quality or talent do you wish you could cultivate?

Who is your favorite fictional character ever?

If you could have the career of any author, who would it be?

What inspires you?

When did you first realize you were a writer?

The rest of the interview is up to you. Have fun with it!

You get to play the character of interviewer. It will be very interesting, on a psychological level, to see what questions people ask themselves. It's fiction meets non-fiction. You are creating a character, while being yourself. I'm really excited to see what you come up with.

Do it like a real interview and bold the interview questions, so it is clear who is speaking. Here is an example.

Dragonfly 6000, who is your mentor?

My grandfather is the most influential person in my life. He is strong, courageous, and loves people in a very genuine and humble way.

If you would like to see an example, I have created one for myself.