What was your first job as a journalist?
I fell in love with journalism in high school reading the Dallas Morning News each morning. Wasn't a job, but found my calling.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! I would practice spelling words on my grandma's electric typewriter. The typing skills stuck but spelling didn't.
How is social media changing news?
It rapidly democratized information and eroded the legacy business model of news. Not enough space here to say it all...
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I can't think of many journalists I favor in fiction that are not based on real ones. Ask which real fav I have.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's an often thankless marathon to reveal truths about society while constantly fighting misinformation and online abuse.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
oh god, I don't know.... I shouldn't say since it would be showing bias.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Through email, please.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Phone, Otter.ai, voice memos, Slack, Google docs, ARC
What's your favorite social network?
TikTok
Who do you wish followed you?
On Twitter or in real life? Twitter: people of North Texas. In real life: my cat when we take walks outside.
Why did you become a journalist?
I'm a nosy bitch. Also, democracy will fall without an informed citizenry. I also enjoy pain and heartbreak, apparently.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. I wrote stories, edited and designed.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
If you're mom says she loves you, check it out. Not sure how we verify our parents' love, but yeah, we gotta try I guess.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Early morning
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Ones that notice what I cover and offer enough time to learn about how the story fits into my coverage.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I love pitches. So fun to see the wild world out there and get to figure out what our community needs to know.
What's your favorite drink?
Bullet bourbon and Coke, on rocks
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
outside
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Atlantic, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
"Equity reporter? So does that mean you cover money or something?"
