The Interviewer and Interviewee: Who’s who?

You just never know who you’re going to meet. At a recent Marion County Chamber of Commerce meeting I was seated by and began talking with Jarrett Goodman who regularly attends the meetings as a staff writer with the Marion Tribune. Upon hearing of my plans to build an online Business Directory which focuses on Marion County Businesses, he suggested we do an interview and he’d publish an article about my directory.

We agreed to meet at AJ’s Kitchen in Jasper for the interview. I’d gotten there early and begin to think, I’d never really met a reporter nor have known a reporter. I’ve also never known anyone who had a desire to be a reporter. I surmised that maybe it’s just one of them things people fall into. So, I decided to see what I could find out about Jarrett before his arrival. What I found was an extremely impressive young man.

Jarrett began writing seriously at only 16 years of age and has since published multiple novels across genres, including fantasy, adventure, and more. His notable works include The Guardian of Nature, the Grizzly series, The Masked Men of Miami, A Revolutionary Boy, and the autobiographical I the Author: The Story of Me. So no, writing isn’t something that Jarrett “fell into”, it’s obviously his passion.

Jarrett’s storytelling often draws from personal experiences and a desire to inspire readers of all ages. He publishes through platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Lulu. (link to Jarrett’s Books on Amazon)

In October 2024, Jarrett joined the Marion Tribune as a staff writer where he covers local news in Marion County and surrounding areas. His bylines frequently appear on stories about community events, school achievements, city council decisions, population trends, and cultural happenings.

He brings energy, attention, and professionalism to his reporting, engaging directly with local organizations and events. Now, you might read the above sentence and not think much of it; and I’ll be honest, AI (Grok) actually wrote it. An English Professor might read it and remark that it’s somewhat cliché and deduct a point or two from a graded essay. But in Jarrett’s case it’s actually a very true and accurate statement. He shows up enthusiastic and engaging. His easy going personality will ease any tensions an interviewee may have and his questioning efficiently allows the interviewee to give him all the information he needs for his article.

Now in his mid-20s and based in the region, Jarrett balances his passion for fiction with community journalism. His work reflects a commitment to both creative expression and local storytelling. We are quite fortunate to have a young man of Jarrett’s character here in Marion County. He’s certainly an asset to our community and the Marion Tribune.

Jarrett’s Article on www.marionvibe.com will come out in late May or early June