What was your first job as a journalist?
Pittsburgh Tribune Review covering the NFL Draft
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
Democratizing it.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Willie Traynor
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Accurate and True.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Whatever. Not relevant.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
There are just tools. Who cares?
What's your favorite social network?
It used to be Facebook. No, I don't like any of them
Who do you wish followed you?
Mark Twain.
Why did you become a journalist?
I grew up reading Mike Royko. Knew it when I was 14 years old.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Nope
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The one I'm working on now
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Work hard and go into medicine. But if you want to be a journalist, read about Mike Royko.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Doesn't matter, live, breathe news
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Magicians should never tell how the magic happen; it's unprofessional
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Hi, I'm Irina, I'm from Moscow....
What's your favorite drink?
Sailor Jerry
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading a book
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I don't really. I read books on the outside. But only read professionally what I need for stories. I want my thoughts to be original for me
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That political reporters know what they are talking about.
