Using Field Notes for Interviews

In just a few hours, I’m going to sit down with Dave Fowler—the guy who put the ink to the page for one of the issues of my VIKINGS vs SAMURAI comic book—on Instagram Live. Now, I’ve done more interviews than I can count, probably over 500, and I usually come prepared, with questions laid out in Evernote or Drafts, bullets and sub-bullets, all lined up. I’m cool with following the conversation wherever it goes, but make no mistake: I like to know exactly where I want to steer it.

Here’s the thing, though: those note apps? They work for radio shows and podcasts. They don’t work so hot when you’re face-to-face on Instagram or TikTok, where looking into the camera is everything. And, yeah, I could glance over at my desktop, but that throws off the whole vibe—kills the eye contact, breaks the flow.

So I switched to Field Notes. They’re small, like 4¾” x 7½”, 64 pages, and fit right in my pocket. I keep it all short, sharp, one page of questions, max. Forces me to get to the good stuff fast because, on social media, the audience doesn’t have time to sit around. Field Notes keeps me locked in, ready to move fast.

So as I get ready to kick things off with Dave, I’m reminded that every platform’s got its quirks, its own little rhythm. Field Notes lets me be right in the moment, not worrying about fumbling with screens or notes. I’m ready to dive into his creative process and get into that real, raw storytelling mode, knowing I’ve got everything right there in my back pocket.