What was your first job as a journalist?
I wrote articles about electronic devices and how to choose the right ones
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes - it's more difficult than a keyboard!
How is social media changing news?
Length of articles (they are more likely to get read if they are shorter), news spread faster and challenges with misinformation
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Vivian Rook
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Be passionate, trustworthy and have knowledge about the subject you are writing about
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I am no longer on social media
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
email, please keep it short
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word, my computer, the internet
What's your favorite social network?
It used to be Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
I am no longer on social media
Why did you become a journalist?
Sitting in an office wasn't really for me
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We didn't have that in Germany
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Some challenging articles where you need to do some in-depth research
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Follow your passion, it's worth it
When's the best time to pitch you?
Afternoon
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Two sentences that included the scope of work, deadline, what was expected and an estimate of how much they will pay
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
No details about the job, just describing how great the person/their company is
What's your favorite drink?
Tea (especially Chai)
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
The beach, the mountains
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
El Pais (the science section)
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
It's dodgy
