What was your first job as a journalist?
In high school I wrote about the principal and student issues and sold ads for my newspaper for income for my first journalism job in 1969
Have you ever used a typewriter?
oh yes. for many years
How is social media changing news?
News is snappy quick w/investigative reports traveling first on twitter and facebook before read online then picked up by print & broadcast
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Jack London wrote Martin Eden as a fictional writer and it is a book and story I can relate to and enjoy.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
it means sacrifice of family and free time, little rewards, often no recognition, hours spent doing research for something read in 5 minutes.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
email is best with a follow up by phone
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Tools and Software - open office, wordpress, photoshop, indesign, cell phone, internet connection, computers
What's your favorite social network?
facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
I'm always wishing the folks I write about follow me since it is really not about me at all but all about them.
Why did you become a journalist?
To inform and to amuse people. To change the world just a little bit. To shine a light in the darkness and to expose secrets to light of day
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did work for the high school newspaper as a journalist but my writing was censored so I started my own independent publication instead.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My two year long expose of an unlicensed contractor who is a convicted felon was finally forwarded to the district attorney for prosecution.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Never give up and listen well. Don't believe everything people say. Find out the facts for yourself. Dig, dig and dig deeper for the answers.
