Brian Jaeger
Jacksonville, Milwaukee
Writer newjaxwitty.com mcnewsy.com / satisfamily.com | Web Designer passiveninja.com luthernet.org bravenewchurch.com | Educator educabana.com
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing satire for Real Wisconsin News.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, but it was before my time as a real writer. Maybe up until 5th grade it's what we had in the house. A couple of school assignments.
How is social media changing news?
It's not really news unless social media presents it as such, at least not to most Americans.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Sean Hannity
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It should not mean manipulating facts to advance your own narrative, but that's pretty close to what it's becoming.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I usually watch or read the news and then write a story about it. If you want to contact me to pitch a story, that's cool, too.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Blogger, Joomla, Amazon, TeachersPayTeachers
What's your favorite social network?
Going outside and talking to my neighbors
Who do you wish followed you?
Matt Damon
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to be able to work paycheck to paycheck rather than be healthy and wealthy.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did yearbook instead, and we produced the greatest yearbook ever. We created humorous captions for every photo and got into some trouble.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My way-off-Broadway play called Philadelphia Store: The Musical
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Find your niche in something that news-like. Then sell your services to the highest bidder.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Pitch something to me at 2AM if I'm awake. That's when I'm most creative and least judgemental.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
My friend wanted to write a bunch of stories about one place: West Allis, Wisconsin. We did, and it's called Wild West Allis.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
My friend's uncle wanted me to help him write his memoirs and how he saw the ghost of his dead cousin. Seemed exciting until he began talking
What's your favorite drink?
Generally, water. Sometimes I like it mixed with barley and hops or a sugary mix of pretend energy.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Doing the laundry.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Curiosity
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Jacksonville. People think it's all about crime and drugs. But it's so much more. Lots of corruption, scamming, and Good Ol' Boys, too.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.