A Word With the "Web-Savvy" Intern

By Danielle Lima

Well, I’ve been here for almost a month now! This week was about a 9.125 on the cool-o-meter. Let me give you a little description.

First off, I got the chance to read up on a new book Show Dog by Josh Dean. (I even got to keep one of the many copies that was sent to us! Woo!) Here at Word of Mouth, a lot of books arrive in the mailbox with interest of being featured on the show. This book was a perfect fit in the “dog themed” segment this past Wednesday. I read about 10 pages of the book (loving it by the way!) and went through the entire reader-packet they sent – full of reviews, info about the book, info about dog breeds and dog shows, terminology… etc. Helpful stuff for us to write questions for an interview without reading the entire book front to back… because obviously… there isn’t always time for that.

Later in the week I got the chance to do a pre-interview with Derek Thompson from the Atlantic magazine in New York. I spent about 2 hours reading his article titled “The Death (and Life) of Marriage in America” and preparing myself for the phone interview that was to take place at 2:30pm that day. I was a little distracted by a certain e-mail I had received right in the midst of my planning, but I was able to pull through with a nice little word document with space for the essential information I needed at the top (pronunciation, title/credentials, and phone number) and plenty of room to write what he had to say underneath. Because the article is so long, I had to find out what he wanted us to focus on – what he wanted to talk about.

Although I’ve overheard the other producers do many pre-interviews over the phone (and sound absolutely pro at it,) Rebecca let me sit in the phone booth for this one. So I was alone, out of sight, out of hearing-range. No possible anxiety caused from others listening. However, I really wasn’t worried! Honestly! I know I’m generally on the calmer, “timid” side (well... that’s what I have people think.. J) I knew I could handle this! I wish I could’ve studied the article more. The topic was very intriguing. Did you know that as of 2010 only 20% of 18-29 year olds were married… as opposed to  59% in the 1960’s?

So anyway, the interview went great. Yes I told him I was an intern and this was my first time doing anything like this. Haha. So he had the head’s up. But I could have gone without saying that, because everything went seamlessly.

And! For both segments I worked on, I was very excited to hear 2 questions from each were used on the show! And I have to note, on either occasion, I was in the public restroom here at NHPR, or at home blow-drying my hair. These are both very cool places to hear your own thoughts over the radio.

Today is Friday – Rebecca faced me with a very difficult task… she sent out an e-mail asking everyone to e-mail me a picture and bio of their dog… and I got to post a blog titled “The Dogs of NHPR.” This was inspired from all the k-9-content we used in the past week. It seemed appropriate. I wrote a cheeky summary full of dog puns.. then added photos and bios from everyone that contributed. And because I was the one doing the blog, I got to make an exception and add my very own non-dogs…my gerbils! Yay!

See you next week!