What was your first job as a journalist?
Contributing Writer for Albumism.com
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
It's given people an excuse to lazily accept everything at face value instead of double-checking for accuracy.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
None.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Be a unique and honest voice that stays with the reader long after they've finished reading your work.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
N/A.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
N/A.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook.
Who do you wish followed you?
Anyone that enjoys being entertained and educated through my work.
Why did you become a journalist?
I enjoy creating stories that (1) paint vivid mental images in the reader's mind, (2) cut to the chase, and (3) challenge my audience to think differently.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Celebrating 30 Years of Prince’s ‘Sign O’ the Times’ (Albumism.com)
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
(1) Brainstorm all of your ideas first, (2) Thoroughly research the pros and cons of your topic, (3) Make your words pop off the page, (4) Get to the point, and (5) Ask yourself "Does this sound like something everyone else would say?" If yes, rewrite it.
When's the best time to pitch you?
N/A.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
N/A.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
N/A.
What's your favorite drink?
Homemade lemonade.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Spending time with family, going to church, dancing, reading a book, or watching a movie.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Charisma News, Plugged In, Christianity Today, PopMatters, and The Line of Best Fit
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Anyone without a music or journalism degree shouldn't have a voice. If you know how to entertain *and* educate your audience, go for it!
