What was your first job as a journalist?
TV Editor at the Irish Daily Star - they tried saying it was a secretarial role to pay me less and give me less rights.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Many moons ago - not a fan.
How is social media changing news?
Social media has made everything more instant. As such we rarely have a "hold the press" moment as big stories are broken online.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Murphy Brown
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
It is somewhat news - although it was a flub by PRs. Susan Boyle's album launch still makes me laugh.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Generally email with as much information as possible. But if it is a good line I don't care how you get me the info.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
All the usual suspects: Word, Photoshop, Canva, Slack, Trello, CMS software, social media sites and hashtags
What's your favorite social network?
I still find FB best for sourcing stories and contacts even though it is an old.er demographic with Insta a close second
Who do you wish followed you?
Pedro Pascal - not sure I could interview him as I would fangirl too much
Why did you become a journalist?
I fell into it. It wasn't part of my plan.
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?
Exposing the fact the BBC paid the audiences at the Prime Ministerial debates
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Think laterally. Sometimes the best way into a story (and to get an exclusive angle) is too look around the story rather than right through.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime. I can always be flexible for a good pitch
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
When I on women's glossies I frequently got pitches about male orientated stuff that we couldn't use. Did these people even read the mag?
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I like magazines with in depth long reads on entertainment and arts subjects like Empire and Mojo and Classic Rock.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it is glamourous and we spend all our time mingling with celebrities. It is hard work,competitive and very anti social in terms of hour
