I work in public policy right now, and one of the things I do is write briefing notes for politicians. Maybe you could write yourself some.

Usually briefing notes focus on a particular issue. The first page of the note is an executive summary with 3-5 speaking points and 3-5 bullet points with background information. The speaking points would be the “sound bites.” The background would be general statements that express policy (in this case, HAES/FA 101 stuff), statistics, and past developments. Maybe if you had something like that to refer to when talking to the press, it would be helpful?

The rest of the note? a more detailed section with current issues and policy language and a more detailed background section with general and related information.

These notes are one way politicians stay on-message – and probably why they sometimes don’t really answer the question they were asked.

Of course, it’s always best if you have the opportunity to review the questions in advance, answer them in writing, and/or edit your answers after the interview.

Number one, carefully create maybe five key messages that you want to communicate. Yes, these will be like soundbytes, but they don’t have to be word for word. They are messages and key ideas that are expressed clearly, they don’t have to be pithy.

Number two, practice the interview. Like others have already said, think of all the questions that could be thrown at you, and practice a response to them.

Number three, always remember that reporters are not your friend. No matter what happens, they have a job to do. They may like you, they may want the best for you, but they are not your friend, there is no such thing as ‘off the record’, it’s business, pure and simple. Stick to your key messages and you leave nothing to the imagination. Stick to your messages and you have the best shot at the ideas you want being successfully transmitted.

That’s the best advice I got, coming from an industry source who is my friend and colleague. All the best, and thanks for keeping the cause strong.

I just wanted to say how much I love the fact that in the comments on your Salon article, there are loads of people posting saying, “Hmm, I don’t think fat people should be discriminated against or you can’t be fat and healthy at the same time, but I do think it’s unhealthy to eat lots of junk food and never do any exercise, so obviously fat acceptance isn’t for me.”

Actually, I think this is my favourite so far, from TheOtherBob:

We shouldn’t ever stigmatize people who are fat — but at the same time we shouldn’t pretend that diet and exercise are irrelevant to health, or that weight loss is somehow “impossible.” It’s not — but even if it is, it’s always possible to become healthier.

Salon commenters, welcome to Health At Every Size.

The whole reason our country sucks right now is because people get their thinking from soundbytes and not from in depth, rational, logical thinking.

Given the tragic circumstances of Baartman’s life, and the painful racist, colonialist, and misogynistic exploitation she suffered — well, let’s just say that is one hell of a disturbing and incendiary illustration for an article that is otherwise a nice if not terribly deep little piece on fat-positive sexuality.

And as has been noted, the illustration especially troubling in the context of piece that does not quote *any* women of color, or deal at all with the intersection of fatness and race.

I know that writers don’t generally choose the illustrations that accompany their work, so I wouldn’t blame Mathis. But I’ve got to say — what the *hell* were the illustrator and the editor(s) thinking?

More about Saartje Baartman here, for those of you who might be interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saartje_Baartman

Now, as for your query about how to be a clearer and more pithy communicator in the media — Kate, I would *strongly* suggest you invest in some media training. A good media person will help not only with things like posture, voice, facial expressions, etc., but will also help you craft your message so that you can get your point across more effectively and succinctly within the time or space constraints of various types of media.

Good media consultants don’t come cheap, unfortunately, but if you can afford to drop some cash it is so, so worth it. (Maybe you can have a fundraiser on the blog, to help pay for it?) Kate, the work you do is so important, and you’ve become such a powerful spokesperson for fat acceptance, that I think some media training would be a great investment.

I can even recommend someone, if you’re interested. (Just to be clear, I have no business or other relationship with the person I’m recommending. But I do know several people — including bloggers, authors, and political candidates — who’ve worked with him and rave about the guy.)

On a side note I made baby donuts!

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8897/babyd.png

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2284/babyfa.png

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6179/babyd2.png

So cute and yummy.