What was your first job as a journalist?
I worked as a school and crime reporter for a weekly community newspaper outside of Boston.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! I even had a typewriter class in high school.
How is social media changing news?
There's more of a sense that you have to have a quick take on events, rather than waiting to make sure you know what you're talking about.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Probably Henry Hackett in The Paper.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Journalists must find and communicate the truth. That's far more important than merely reporting what people say is the truth.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Standard office tools, as well as video and image-editing software, and some tools to help create interactive graphics.
Who do you wish followed you?
Bad Astronomer Phil Plait
Why did you become a journalist?
I was one of those kids who liked school because I was always learning something new. Journalism gives me a way to keep learning.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did! I was executive editor of the Bronc Express, which actually won a few awards.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Our coverage of the 2008 New Hampshire primary. It was a critical time, and we used new digital techniques to tell the candidates' stories.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read a lot, anything you can. And never assume you really know anything. Always check everything out before putting it in print or on video.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings.
What's your favorite drink?
A well-made, dry martini. Or water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Probably walking our new dog, a 7-year-old French bulldog mix we adopted from a shelter.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Washington Post, if I want the news, Sky & Telescope if I want to stargaze, and The AV Club, if I want to just take in some pop culture.
