What was your first job as a journalist?
I covered high school sports for the Tustin News.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
Social media speeds up the news cycle, placing a premium on being first with news at the peril of sound reporting practices.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Paul Kemp
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means to report on a subject the writer is both passionate about and able to approach with professionalism and integrity.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email or vinyl copy of album being pitched.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
MacBook Pro and Word for Mac
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Bob Dylan
Why did you become a journalist?
I need to write.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
In high school I worked for the local newspaper, The Tustin News.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My SXSW preview that was linked to a story on CNN.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write every day
When's the best time to pitch you?
When you're ready to send the email.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Hype Machine sent care packages to journalists to promote their event during SXSW.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The pitch that begins "Exciting new electro-dance duo." I get those frequently.
What's your favorite drink?
Water
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At a concert or eating a taco
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
McSweeney's
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I get free tickets to any show I want.
