Profiles are something that I really do enjoy.  I like the feeling of knowing someone.  I like being able to talk to people.  I also really enjoy seeing what makes people tick.  (98% of the time.  Those other two percent…well…don’t you worry about that.)

The fact that Kershner made a point to say that subjects will usually have the worst picture about themselves — because they think they’re ordinary and mundane — was a point that resonated with me.  It wasn’t because I’ve had terrible interviews, but because I also think I’m pretty ordinary and mundane.

While on the subject of interviews, I really liked the point Kershner made about talking to your subject’s friends/parents/significant other/pet/second cousin twice removed/great aunt’s canary both before and after the “initial” interview.  For some odd reason, I had never thought, “I should talk to them first.”  The thought honestly never occurred to me.  That will definitely be something I consider for the next time.

Kershner points out that profiles do not have to be entirely negative or entirely positive because people aren’t one-sided.  He also said that if it seems too critical, keep interviewing because there has to be someone out there who will brighten the mood.  (Note: Unless you’re talking about Voldemort.  If you’re writing a profile for Voldemort, you’re essentially out of luck.)  That’s something that many people seem to forget: no one is completely bad or completely good.  We all have moments of both.