The distinction between a profile and, for example, a memoir or a biography is that a profile relies on newly acquired knowledge. It is a first-hand account of someone or something as told by the writer.
I found this a helpful clarification, as I enjoy many biographies. Its nive being able to clearly define the differences.
You probably have a good idea of why this person will be a good subject for a profile, so be sure your questions reflect that. Saying “tell me about yourself” is unlikely to get your subject talking.
This is seems like common sense, but I've seen so many podcast interviews mess this up. It's funny but I feel like Joe Rogan, Bert Kreischner and Tom Segura, and others are really good at just talking with people and making it seem like a normal comfortable conversation, with just a few well placed questions.
Dialogue, description, specific narrative action, and vivid details are all effective means of profiling your subject. Engage your reader’s senses. Give them a sense of what it’s like to be in a particular place.
I love having multiple tools to do a job well. Using a good variety these will help provide that hook to wrap me in every time. It's the little details, like what kind of coffee a person drinks or what they have sitting in their living room that intrigue me in profiles I've read.
Ultimately, whether the story is fact or fiction, narrative writing tries to relay a series of events in an emotionally engaging way.
In today's society, this is particularly true, Intagram, TIkTok and even YouTube has everyone looking for the engagement, right quick and in a hurry. If it's not there, your audience is moving on.
after/afterward as soon as at last before currently during eventually meanwhile next now since soon finally later still then until when/whenever while first, second, third
I always struggle when describing a series events without saying.." then...then...then..." so this is so useful.
When interviewing candidates for jobs, employers often ask about conflicts or problems a potential employee has had to overcome. They are asking for a compelling personal narrative. To prepare for this question in a job interview, write out a scenario using the narrative mode structure. This will allow you to troubleshoot rough spots, as well as better understand your own personal history. Both processes will make your story better and your self-presentation better, too.
I've often come across this question in interviews, but I've never considered it as a narrative essay. I like the idea of preparing it and having it all finished and ready before the interview so as not to give them my "shitty first draft" of the story.
Or, they are so overwhelmed with everything they think they need to write, that they can’t pick a place to start. Or, the things they write sound so terrible, it feels like a waste of time.
This tends to be my biggest issue. I'm overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas and can't decide what to write or where to start, so I just write it all out and figure it out later. Yup I'm a procrastinator.
This was the secret to writing, and once it fully clicked for me, it was how I wrote my dissertation and manuscripts
I'm amazed that this seems so universal to all writers and at the same time is surprising to so many.