What was your first job as a journalist?
Dorchester Reporter - a community newspaper in Boston's largest neighborhood - where I was a stringer.
How is social media changing news?
Social media allows the readership to engage news as never before. The readership is part of the conversation.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Rory Gilmore, of course!
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
E-mail is best.
What's your favorite social network?
I really do enjoy Twitter.
Why did you become a journalist?
I am nerdy and nosey.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. It was essentially a highly censored PR newsletter for the school. I wrote humor columns.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I really loved the "Daderina" story as it is a feelgood story with depth about a father who has a special bond with his 3 daughters.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write every day. Read Susan Shapiro's "The Byline Bible" for pitching strategies.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Morning or evening.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking my dog, a rescue mutt named Schuyler.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
You don't have to be a celebrity to be a fascinating person wielding amazing, true stories.
