What was your first job as a journalist?
I found a blogging job via Twitter.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I learned to type on my grandmother's IBM Selectric typewriter. Fond memories of bottled whiteout + tree designs from a typing pattern book.
How is social media changing news?
News is becoming more social + crowd-sourced, and verifying and validating facts are more crucial than ever in social media.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Bridget Jones.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist is about accurate + innovative storytelling. It's all about being real!
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
The Washington, DC Metro area likes to name their snowstorms. I laughed at + .
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I'm always on Twitter.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I am a data-driven storyteller. I like infographics and interactives. I use AI, ID & open-sourced coding apps like CoffeeCup.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter changed my life.
Who do you wish followed you?
Pico Iyer, Orhan Pamuk, and many more.
Why did you become a journalist?
I am still a work in progress. Capturing stories and connecting with people and places drive my journalistic nature.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
As a third culture kid, I attended 3 different high schools. I never worked for any of my high school newspapers; I was too busy socializing.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm proud of my 1st article for Transparent Language. It generated a lot of blog chatter & within a week, 1,000 more Twitter followers.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read. Write. You don't have to have a degree in journalism to be a journalist, but it's nice to have. :)
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime!
