A few weeks ago, the shoe was on the proverbial other foot.

I found myself sitting cross-legged on my bed, being interviewed by a reporter from a Detroit newspaper.

As a full-time newspaperwoman, sometimes I forget what it’s like to be interviewed for a story. Especially a story that isn’t being printed in the pages of one of the newspapers I oversee (which means I get to preview it before it is printed in the paper).

So, on a random Thursday, I was being peppered with questions about Bishop Edward Weisenburger, who was installed Tuesday as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

This conversation came about because the moment I heard the former bishop of the Salina Diocese was being transferred from Tucson, Ariz., to Detroit, I texted my friend and fellow newspaper editor, Maureen.

She and I met when we both attended a leadership academy for women at the Poynter Institute in Florida. We bonded over our mutual love of newspapers, grammar jokes and eccentric newspaper antics.

Several weeks later, she sent a note to ask if I would be willing to talk about my memories of working on staff for Archbishop Weisenburger. Of course, I agreed immediately.

Which is how I found myself on the receiving end of questions from Anne.

After the interview concluded, I had what I imagine are all of the questions an interviewee could have:

• Did I sound OK?

• Did I sound dumb?

• Perhaps I said “um” too many times.

• Did I say anything useful?

• Will the spirit of what I said be fully reflected in the article?

Too many questions. And I could do nothing to change any of what I said. But, of course, I did text her with one more comment ... just in case I didn’t adequately express myself in our interview.

After that possibly over-the-top text, I gave myself a mental shake and told myself to “chill out.”

Maybe it’s good for me to be interviewed for a news story from time-totime. It helps remind me of the jitters or nerves an interview can produce.

Logically, I know it’s silly to be nervous. Maureen is the Detroit News Deputy Metro Editor. She is competent, capable and didn’t get there by chance. She knows what she is doing and will review her reporter’s writing before it makes it onto newsprint.

But as a fellow newspaperwoman, I know the rules. I didn’t ask to preview any portion of the article before it went to press. I shared my memories and observations, and left them in the hands of a capable reporter.

Sitting with those nerves, though, was probably a good thing. As a reporter, I can easily forget how nervous talking with someone from the newspaper can make someone. Even as recently as this weekend, when I was at a pitch game, a gentleman declined to have me follow up with an interview because he had a very bad experience in the past. I respect that, and don’t push, but it makes me sad. And also affirms why it’s important for me to understand how my subjects feel.

When Anne emailed me the final, published story Monday afternoon, I released a nervous exhale. The story was fantastic, and I didn’t sound like a goofball at all.

In fact, the information I provided was used only in the first four paragraphs of the story.

Truly, I had nothing to be nervous about. Yet, it’s important, from time-to-time, for me to remember how it feels to not know which of my words will be selected, and how they will sound.

Bonar is the editor/publisher of the I-R and can be reached at kbonar@indyrepnews. com.