What was your first job as a journalist?
I was an Associate Producer at KETK NBC. I wrote TV shows, but also pushed out news when needed.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. As a kid, I would write poems on a typewriter -- for stylistic/hipster reasons only. It was never for anything practical.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Ted Dekker. The dude knows how to write.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's like being the keeper for the personal diary -- of the entire world.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Emails are my best friend. That or in person.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word, Adobe Premier, Photoshop, and Lightroom. That's about it.
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram. It's pretty, and there's generally less drama.
Who do you wish followed you?
Steve Vai. Hands down.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've always wanted to tell stories, whether through written word, video, or audio, it's our human nature to need to communicate.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't work for my high school paper, although I might have if I went to a public high school. I was homeschooled.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm most proud of a story I did on a fire engulfing a burning building. It turned out to be a staged drill, but an excellent story.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't get dragged down with drama. Don't leave your head behind in a passionate story. Sometimes you need to keep your head down and work.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mid-afternoon. It's usually the period that I have the most time on my hands
What's the best pitch you ever got?
"I have a story about Trash Boy!"
What's your favorite drink?
Pepsi? I know. It's kind of lame.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Highly likely I will still be at a computer... but in a coffee shop.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
National Geographic. I like to be basic.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The most common misperception is that I have a dedicated beat.
