What was your first job as a journalist?
Freelance writer for the Westlake Picayune.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
It can be good as community journalism exposes improper behavior. It can be problematic when it's the sole location people get their news.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's an opportunity to share the information and knowledge you have obtained about someone or some thing and share it with others.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Grammarly and WordPress.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I enjoy learning about others and sharing their stories in written form.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I dropped out of high school journalism because I didn't like it. I wasn't ready. Thankfully, she gave me another chance.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Writing the book "Burned Orange — Tom Penders and 10 Years at the University of Texas." Took 18 months.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
It's a labor of love. Depending on your perspective, it's a labor or it's a love. I prefer the latter.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
While pitches are important, it's the story that draws my initial interest. A compelling story with a well-crafted pitch is a winning formula
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Watching some type of sporting event while scrolling through my Twitter feed full of tweets from athletes, teams, and sports media.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Dallas Morning News
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it's fun all the time. It's a job that certainly has its perks, but it's still work.
