Note from Jennifer: I’m launching a new feature this week called Freelance Friday, where we talk about the crazy and wonderful life of being a freelance writer. While I love owning my own business, sometimes I wish I had someone to share the odd things that happen as writer to someone else that understands. I hope to create “a watercooler place” on this blog each Friday.

I was surprised that I even fit in the preschool-sized chairs, much less possess the ability to conduct an interview with a CEO of major company while sitting in one. But you know what they say about desperate times. My car decided that last Friday was a good day not to start and, instead of sitting in my home office, I unexpectedly found myself running my freelance writing business from the waiting room of my local Honda service department.

As the time for my interview drew near, I tried to find a quiet place to call my source. I assumed that I could simply stand outside, but each time I ventured to the parking lot, I was approached to buy a new car. And anywhere I went inside the building, my location would be given away by the constant pages for “Billy” or “Ed” to report to the mechanic bay.

So, that is how I found myself in the toddler play area asking a CEO about the company’s shipping practices. Because even with Dora the Explorer on the television behind me, it was by far the quietest place in the dealership, at least until a two-year-old boy showed up at the end of the interview. But that’s another blog post. When I left the dealership shortly after the interview, I assumed that this moment would forever hold the hall of fame spot for my strangest interview location.

However, I only had to wait a few hours.

A client that I had been trying to connect with for several days emailed me that he could finally talk that afternoon. The catch was that his only availability was in the middle of my daughter’s class picnic. So, later that day, I found myself literally hiding in the woods while talking to a client, trying muffle the joyful noise of 28 fifth graders on the last day of school. I even found a picnic table off the trail to use for taking notes. Although I didn’t see any snakes (which I am deathly afraid of), I kept one eye on the ground the entire call.

So, what is the strangest location that you have ever conduct an interview from for a freelance writing project? I am sure that someone can beat my story of snakes and preschool-sized chairs.