What was your first job as a journalist?
General assignment reporter for THE BAY STATE BANNER in Dorchester, Mass.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have an iconic Royal (circa 1950s) I consider a work of art.
How is social media changing news?
It's definitely making it more personal and immediate. And, if you're not sure if you trust the source, less reliable.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Harriet the Spy
What does it mean to be a journalist?
That you have an obligation to inform and entertain while you hold yourself to stringent ethical standards of honesty and integrity
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
As a freelancer, I'd send the pitches, not receive them ;)
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
The MacBook Air, a Panasonic digital voice recorder and Google docs
Why did you become a journalist?
As a teenager, I was kind of shy. I figured becoming a reporter would force me to cold-call people.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was a reporter for The Observer. (slogan: "Accuracy is the hallmark of a good observer.")
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
All the ones in my narrative nonfiction book about amateur sleuths who solve cold cases, THE SKELETON CREW
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Spend as much time honing your reporting skills as your writing skills
