By Danielle Spence
Editor-in-Chief
Michael Hainey was a curious little boy. He used to carry his notepad with him and take notes on activities taking place around the house. He would note, “Mom’s making dinner,” or “Chris is swinging in the backyard.” This kind of curiosity led him to be the full-fledged reporter that he is today.
Today, Hainey is an established reporter, writer and editor and is the author of the New York Times best-selling novel, “After Visiting Friends.” In the novel, Hainey unveils the truth behind his father’s mysterious death by putting his reporting skills to the test.
At six years old, Hainey’s father, a Chicago newspaperman, died on a street in Chicago after visiting friends. Growing up, Hainey couldn’tquite come to terms with this explanation and decided to uncover the truth on his own. And he did.
Little by little, Hainey discovered the truth behind the mystery of his father’s death.
After 10 years of unraveling the loose ends of the story, Hainey tied the knot. The unsettling feeling he had from years of wondering about the truth began to settle.
Last Tuesday, Sept. 24, Hainey paid a visit to North Central College to talk to students and faculty about his new novel. He made sure to note the value of good reporting when he said, “There’s a lot of stories you haven’t heard – you have to go find them. Listen to the stories that people want to tell you.”
As an experienced interviewer, Hainey mentions how important it is to listen. He says, “If you listen as a reporter, people will tell you things. Everyone always tells their story.”
Having a list of prewritten questions prevents the interviewer from actually hearing what the person has to say. Listening to the subject and forming questions from their answers creates a meaningful interview.
Hainey’s best advice for aspiring journalists was to believe in your writing with all of your soul. If you have the gift of writing, you have the ability to articulate for others.
“Your material is right in front of you. Be available to it,” said Hainey.
