I am having difficulty "stalking the truth" as Jon Franklin puts it in his commentary in Writing for Story. I have not been successful in finding a person I find worthy of a profile. I admit, I am horrible at "keeping my eyes open" and I have no idea what I am looking for. I really feel like I'm way self absorbed at this point in my life that I do not take the time to look for complications in other people's lives, unless they are thrust under my nose.
After having talked with a few people there was a suggestion to profile the owners of Tiffany's Liquor Store. They just expanded their store and they seem to know a lot about their products... and have quite a few interesting ones (including the $14,000 bottle of courvoisier). However, I really don't have an interest in that topic... nor their alcohol. I can't find something I am interested in that will prove to be a good story with a good complication and a resolution.
I would really enjoy spending a day with someone I found intriguing, and getting a good personal profile that way. I do not feel comfortable with my interviewing skills and do not feel I would be able to get "personal" with someone through only asking questions.
Fankllin's description on how to find a good story makes it sound so easy. His stories are more than good stories, he found beauties! I guess I am a little overwhelmed with this assignment... if anyone has suggestions, please post!
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I too am running into difficulties finding someone or something to profile. The way I see it, I need something that interests me enough to do a little research before approaching the subject, be confident enough to improvise during interviews and follow up with further questions or fact checking. I can always find a business person or a business in Kalamazoo, but that's not something that interests me.
Maybe go through a list of the places you like to frequent, or a place you are familiar with. This way you already have the knowledge going in and can automatically engage in conversation with someone. It sucks going into a foreign environment trying to learn the ropes and also profile someone at the same time.
As I'm going down the list I can see I go to Sweetwaters frequently, and I have some knowledge on Hinduism food. Right off the bat I have a few things here. I can confidently go into Sweetwaters and strike up a conversation because I know some of the employees and some of the aspects of the place. I can also go to the Hindu Temple in Portage and find some intriguing stories there as well. I can't say I know what I want to know or who I'm going to be profiling, but it's somewhere to start.
Lickel: Is there a connection between Sweetwater's donuts and Hinduism?
Lindsey: what about profiling Tiffany's itself? Spend a few hours during a busy time and observe what takes place. Talk to people you can. Spend time during a slower period talking to the owners and workers. They were profiled in the Gazette a year or so ago; do a lexis nexus search. . . .
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