Freelance journalist, published author and combat veteran - U.S. Army.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Laramie County Community College newspaper editor/photographer/writer/designer...etc.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Less honesty and integrity, more abject poverty.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Ben Urich
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Honesty, integrity and abject poverty.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Nothing comes to mind.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Fast ball. Never could hit a curve.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Word, recorder, pen and paper.
What's your favorite social network?
None of the above
Who do you wish followed you?
Ducks
Why did you become a journalist?
Long story, but let's blame it on bad journalism and good soldiers.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
no
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Maddie Holderegger, Wyoming's first openly transgender soldier.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be accurate. Be honest. Be fair.
When's the best time to pitch you?
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A local florist sent me a press release, waited a day, then called and politely asked if I'd be interested in writing the story.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
If I had to pick just one, I'll go with today's: "I can't just call the newspaper and have them send a photographer over?"
What's your favorite drink?
Liquids
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In an interview.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Weird Tales
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
City Council has the ability to change state-level decisions.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.