Feature Story Brainstorm

1. Who is your main subject?

My grandmother is the main subject of my story. 

2. Supporting interviews (who else do you need to talk to)?

I will talk to my aunts and uncles (her other children) and my dad.

3. What is the topic or potential topic?

I will write about my grandmother's life and her overall personality. 

4. Which angle from above will you write the story?

I will write about my connection to my grandmother's house and the cemetery she works in.

5. Then to help you get going faster, come up with 20 questions that you can ask your main subject. Type these in your blog.


1. When and where were you born, do you remember any major historical events around that time for perspective?
2. How did your family end up in New Mexico? Where are you originally from?
3. What is your first memory?
4. What were your parents like, disciplinary-wise? Did they spoil you, or were they very strict?
5. What was it like being an only child? Did you ever want siblings?
6. What do you remember about the places you used to live?
7. What was school like? Were you social, or did you keep to yourself? Did you have a boyfriend?
8. Did you enjoy the job field did you ended up pursuing?
9. How did you meet your husband? Were you married young?
10. Did you anticipate having five children?
11. How did you raise your children despite economic instablility?
12. How did you end up working at the cemetery?
13. What do you remember about having your first grandchild?
14. Is there a difference between the way you were towards your children versus your grandchildren?
15. What are your favorite kinds of music, and your favorite books?
16. You have access to over a century of information about people buried at the cemetery. Do you have any stories to tell about the people you've come to know?
17. You were born two years before Trinity was tested at White Sands 145 miles from here. Do you remember anything about the end of World War II and its transition into the Cold War?
18. Are you politically involved, and do you tend to have strong opinions on local or national issues?
19. What was it like to have your family move away from New Mexico? Do you believe staying close to home affects the family?
20. Is there anything else about your life you'd like to tell?


6. Once you complete that portion, you need to come up with 5-10 questions you need to ask your supporting interviews. Type these into your blog. You may need different questions for each supporting subject.

1. Has the way she acts around people changed over the years?
2. What do you remember about growing up around her?
3. Did she ever give you advice or talks?
4. Do you think you adhere to family tradition? Is it important to do so?
5. Did she treat your siblings differently?

7. You will need to do a little research on the topic you expect to interview your main subject about. Take a little time and do some google searching - find at least 5 new things about the intended topic you should know before you interview your main subject. List those on your blog.

http://archive.lcsun-news.com/ci_18085663
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_(nuclear_test)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Garrett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Cruces,_New_Mexico
http://newmexicohistory.org/people/lungers-and-their-legacy

8. Write when you plan to conduct the interview(s)?

During the Thanksgiving break when I see her.

9. Where you will interview them (some interviews are better to do in the persons environment, while others should be done in public places, ALL interviews should be done in person)?

I will interview her in my house.

10. How will you record the information? (taking notes is ideal, and if you want to record the conversation you MUST get permission. You can do both if they will allow you to record, this is a really strong technique that you could use.)

 I will take notes and record it on my phone.