What was your first job as a journalist?
The Evening Argus newspaper in Brighton, UK
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes - my first newspaper had them...all chained to the desk
How is social media changing news?
Makes it easier to connect, share and learn but a threat to traditional print media which is worrying
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
N/A
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Responsibility to research and write well and to be in tune with your audience.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Not something I concentrate on
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
email is fine - I do read them
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Phone, pen, notebook, digital recorder, computer and attention to detail
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Journalists writing with flair on fascinating topics in health and beyond
Why did you become a journalist?
Got lucky...then enjoyed it
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We didn't have one!
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Coverage on mental health - shortlisted for the 2017 Mind Media Mental Health Awards - and the bravery of people who share their experiences
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write, then write some more....get published where you can (it's tough) and don't work for free
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Get many good ones - they just tell it like it is and have researched the subject and my interests/work before pitching
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Plenty but basically a poorly researched approach hitting targets of the number of journos contacted
What's your favorite drink?
Depends who's buying....
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Interviewing, meeting and talking to people, finding stuff out, then playing sport - lacrosse, football and cricket
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
No favourites -get something from everything. Keep an open mind....
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That health journalists will cover blatant PR fluff
