What was your first job as a journalist?
My first full-time job was covering city government/police beat for my local newspaper, the Daily Democrat in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Oh yeah, a long time ago. :)
How is social media changing news?
I think it's good and bad. You must learn how to spot misinformation.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Lou Grant. It was the TV show that got me interested in newspapers.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's a chance to inform, entertain. A chance to ask questions, tell stories. Every day brings a new story.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Can't really thing of one.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
My MacBook Pro goes everywhere, as does my iPhone. I'm an Apple guy.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Anyone who covers college sports on a national level.
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to be in newspapers. I grew up in a household that subscribed to two newspapers. Reading them made me curious about the world.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No. I worked for my local newspaper in high school.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I worked on a story about then-Western Illinois men's basketball coach Jim Molinari. I enjoyed taking different angles with the story.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write as much as you can. Read the best writers. Stay informed. Be objective.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings. By the afternoon I'm busy writing.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I like ones that are direct.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Can't really think of one.
What's your favorite drink?
Pepsi.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On the couch, or taking a walk.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Sports Illustrated, Baseball America
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That you're a "fan" of the team. Not a fan of anything other than a good story.
