Bryan DeVasher
Williamsburg
As seen in:
Richmond Times-Dispatch,
Chesterfield Times Dispatch,
Roanoke Times,
Winston-Salem Journal,
The Daily Progress,
The Free Lance-Star,
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily,
Culpeper Star-Exponent
Covers:
politics, social media, popular culture, nascar, nasa, music, new media, sports
Husband | Father | St. Louis Cardinals fan l Lover of real barbecue from the Midwest, not North Carolina l Provel, anyone?
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Selling ads for my grade-school newspaper. It was mimeographed -- for those of you who remember those machines.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I once worked at a small weekly and typed all my copy on an ancient manual typewriter with keys that stuck.
How is social media changing news?
By tearing down the walls between news organizations and the public. We're having more conversations with people, getting different views.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means putting the truth above all else, no matter how difficult. Journalists can handle the truth, but sometimes the public can't.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email, although I don't get pitched many stories -- usually me or an editor comes up with an idea for a story.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Twitter, Facebook, G+, my iPhone, various video cameras and other assorted hardware. It just depends on the job.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter. I find it useful for following the news, as well as complaining directly to companies when I have a problem.
Why did you become a journalist?
I blame Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. I was 10 when President Nixon resigned, and Watergate had a huge effect on me.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I sold ads and wrote a column. I thought it was witty and intelligent at the time, but looking back I was just trying to be Lester Bangs.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
There are many, but following Virginia Commonwealth University's run to the Final Four is at the top of my list.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read everything you can get your hands on. Be receptive to new ideas. Don't be afraid to fail. Know how to learn from your mistakes.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
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