Podcast Episode 71: Interview with Franklin Habit

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Comment by KnitterGirl39 on November 14, 2008 at 10:54am

I love your podcasts and am just starting to catch up... I started listening from the first podcast just a couple weeks ago. They are great to listen to on the way to and from work and also when I'm taking a break from class for a few mins to knit a few rows/rounds. :-)

I noticed that Franklin Habit will be doing a book signing at a local shop (in Grayslake, IL)

Comment by Kelley Petkun on November 6, 2008 at 8:49am

Wow, Diane, you are a trooper!! I listen to the first podcasts before we had figured out the asthma problem, and I just cringe!!! Still, I have lots of room for improvement!! The good thing is that I started the podcasts as a service to other knitters rather than an ego boost, so constructive criticism is always appreciated!

And, Rose, I'm glad you enjoy the chat-chat. :)

Hugs
Kelley

Comment by tx_rose on November 5, 2008 at 11:03pm

I am also going to respectfully disagree here. I love Kelley's interviewing style because I listen to the podcasts to listen to her as much as anyone else. In fact, the only reason I know of (or care about) some of these people is because they happened to be featured on Kelley's podcast. If each of the interviews were simply Kelley-less monologues, I would be much less interested in them. I enjoy hearing Kelley talk in the interviews, and I think that when you get two people talking, laughing and not following any kind of script, you get to know them better; but, that's just my opinion. It is also my opinion that no two people in the world can agree on pizza toppings, much less a topic like interviewing styles ^_^' so I don't expect anyone to agree with me... it's simply my opinion.

Comment by Dianelaces on November 5, 2008 at 7:29pm

I was so glad to hear this podcast. I haven't visited Franklin's blog yet, but "It Itches" is very high on my Christmas list. Kelley, I had to laugh when I heard you talking about bobbin lace. Every time you say that knitting is just made up of two stitches - knit and purl - I think that bobbin lace stitches are just made up of two movements - cross and twist! We do tend to break things down to the lowest common denominator in order to interest others in our craft and show that it really isn't that difficult if you can just make those two movements :)

I've listened to your podcasts since the very beginning and always enjoy them. Keep up the good work!
Diane

Comment by Parislexi on November 3, 2008 at 2:25pm

Really appreciate your reply, Kelly!
Perhaps they should be called 'Conversation(s) (or Chat(s)) with Kelly and ????'.

To me: The word 'conversation' or 'chat' signifies more chattiness from either of the persons involved so that we get to know something about each person (the interviewer and the interviewee).

To me: The word 'interview' signifies less chattiness and more questions from interviewer and answers from the interviewee so that we get to know more about that person (the interviewee), their likes, dislikes, projects, tips, etc.

Just my thoughts...

Comment by Kelley Petkun on November 3, 2008 at 10:00am

Hi Taybeck and Parislexi,

Thank you for your constructive criticism of my interview style. I will definitely take it into account for future interviews. I think there is a fine line between classic "journalistic" interviews and "chatty" interviews. I will try to walk it a bit more carefully in the future. Given that audio interviews are a relatively new thing for fiber personalities, unlike politicians or actors, I often feel that I need to make the interviewee comfortable and I do that by being "chatty".

Anyway, I would be interested to hear any future comments. But, bear in mind, the next few interviews have already been recorded so you won't notice a great change immediately.

Yours in knitting,
Kelley

Comment by undeadgoat on November 2, 2008 at 11:10am

I'm going to disagree here. Although I usually prefer a normal podcast to an interview when I am listening my way through the archives, it's not because of Kelley's interviewing style, but because I don't always want to hear the interviewees. I definitely do like the conversational interviews, though. It may not be journalistic, exactly, but it's so much better than just a list of pre-prepared questions, and it's more interesting than just hearing someone talk. Because I mean I read Franklin's blog, I don't necessarily need to hear a Franklin monologue. I'd rather hear a Franklin conversation.

Comment by Parislexi on November 2, 2008 at 5:41am

Yes, I agree with Taybeck. I think Kelly does not let the interviewee talk enough during her interviews. I simply love KnitPicks and Kelly and all of the products (I use them religiously and refer others to do the same), but I think she should talk less during her interviews. I have only listened to a few of her earlier interviews and knowing that I probably won't learn much about the person she is interviewing - I usually skip any of the podcasts in which she is talking with another (author, staff member, etc.). I love her solo podcasts, though, because she is EXCELLENT when conveying tips, her own observations, etc.

Comment by Taybeck on October 31, 2008 at 9:21am

Franklin's writing and cartooning are a continuing source of delight and pleasure. I would have liked to have listened to the whole interview, but once again was put off by Kelley's interviewing style. She seems like a nice lady - she's a knitter, so she must be - but she has a tendency to interject too much of herself, as well as too many of her own experiences and opinions. In a good interview the interviewer remains very much in the background. I love KnitPicks, and I love that so many outstanding writers and designers are featured in the podcasts. But I have yet to listen all the way through a single one!

Comment by Marianne on October 30, 2008 at 4:31pm

What a great podcast! Thank you for interviewing Franklin! It was great fun to hear. Now I'm off to listen to it again.