Not For Attribution

… and the hardest interviews can end up making the most rewarding stories, for both the writer and the reader.

On Monday, I covered likely the biggest story of my career and attempted the hardest interview I have encountered.

In the past few weeks, there have been far too many mass killings. Far too much innocent blood spilled. And it came to the South Sound — to the tiny town of Graham.

It obviously was covered by every local news outlet, even picked up by the WaPo and staffed by The New York Times. And on Monday, I went out to speak with someone who is going through unimaginable tragedy.

Here’s my story.

In situations like this, it’s impossible to feel like you are not imposing. Like you are the last person victims and family members would want to see. But you have no choice but to be respectful, and try to tell the story the right way.

No journalism class will ever prepare you for an interview like this. I don’t know if anything will.