What was your first job as a journalist?
Daily Texan staff
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, at two papers in the 70s.
How is social media changing news?
Not for the good for 100 reasons. But it is what it is, and it's not going away.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
She works for The Herald now.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
A lifetime to me - 44 years. Chance to question things, ask questions, understand how things work, writing stories that help and need writing
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Call, text, email, even the anonymous letter
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Discript, TapACall, Excel
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook, I'm afraid. Might not get much done if I were on Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
My old friend Colleen Heild in Albq.
Why did you become a journalist?
Planned on law but I took the draft, went to Vietnam and didn't like what I did and saw. Fell in the J's arms at the Daily Texan.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Think twice about the biz. There are still ways and places to do good work Want it? Try it!
When's the best time to pitch you?
11 a.m. Monday
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Honestly can't remember. Don't get many bad ones. Get lots of good ones I can't get to, tho.
What's your favorite drink?
Good red wine. Shiners. Milk at 3:30 a.m.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Spend A LOT of time at work. Hanging with friends or at home with my wife, reading, walking, looking for trouble.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Washington Post
