Articles

WHAT YOU HEARD IS NOT WHAT I SAID

By Ariele M. Huff

Several things defeat a writer’s ability to be accurate when any or all of the information comes from other sources, whether it is from written material or orally from others in an interview kind of situation.

Semantics may be to blame - also called the “What You Heard is Not What I Meant” factor. For example, suppose you are gathering information about someone’s job. It might go something like this: “What do you do for a living?” “Well, I edit.” “So then, you are an editor?” “Oh no, I also write.” “So, you are a writer who edits?” “Yes.” But what is this person’s actual title? “Oh, I’m head cashier for the food management project, but I edit and write the newsletter.”

Solutions to this problem: Press for very specific answers - “What EXACTLY is your job title?” And request feedback on how you are hearing answers - “So you are an editor?”

A more common issue in gathering information for personal experience kinds of writing is the problem of different perspectives - yours, hers, his, etc. People will often view topics or events quite differently. Frequently, it seems that family members have entirely dissimilar experiences, even when at the same party, in the same room, on the same trip. Solutions to this knotty quandary: You can combine perspectives, trying to show how everyone feels, or you can preface your memoir or family history by saying that there are divergent perceptions of these events, and this is yours.

The problem may also be inaccurate information. Much material supplied by businesses, institutions, web sites, and individuals will have inaccuracies. The same groups providing inaccurate phone numbers, addresses, and other info will expect the writer to come up with the accurate stuff somehow. One solution for this is to give a rough draft to the interviewee for a check-through. Don’t even bother to point out the initial mistake was not your own.

Another interesting puzzle occurs when you get many answers to the same question from a single person. It can be that Dad or Mom or Eldest Son, etc. has more than one viewpoint on any given episode. “I loved that birthday party.” But then later, “That was the saddest day of my life.” The solution is to press for more information. There must be an underlying reason for the ambivalence. “Well, of course, it was the last time I saw Jackie before she was injured.”

Here are a few other quick rules:

In all situations, be aware of the reporters’ rule: “You will always be wrong.” There is literally no way for one person to record the thoughts, experiences, feelings, or beliefs of another exactly as s/he would do it. Your goal is to avoid factual inaccuracy, as often as humanly possible. It is not always possible.

Remember not to take this issue personally. It is not personal and does not reflect on you as a writer, listener, or person.

Remember that persistence and flexibility are necessary to be a successful writer.

Approach issues from as many directions as possible.

Have a number of pre-planned questions.