What was your first job as a journalist?
I wrote, designed and edited my own music rag in college. I unfortunately didn't save any of them for myself.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. That's what I learned on in college eons ago. I don't miss them.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is unfortunately blurring the lines of what people view as news.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Bukowski
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a storyteller.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email me! I would love to write a feature story.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Adobe suite does most everything. I write in Text Edit on a Mac. I can't stand Word. Slack. Squarespace.
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram. Being a visual person, it looks better. And since people don't get too wordy, there's no politics.
Who do you wish followed you?
Steve Martin
Why did you become a journalist?
I suck at math and I never had to learn how to write. Luckily it just came naturally.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not. I probably should have, but I was too busy socializing.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I interviewed Ice Cube in person. He's an intimidating dude, but very matter of fact.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Learn to write objectively.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time of the day or night, but probably mid-afternoon is best.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Write and design a cover piece on Johnny Cash. That wasn't work.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Every person who has told me ... "You know what you should write about..."
What's your favorite drink?
I loves me a Martinez.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Snowboarding or skateboarding. Mixing a cocktail. Walking my dog Dylan.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
New York Times
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I write about cocktails so people just think I am drunk all the time. I'm not, just to be clear.
