What was your first job as a journalist?
Many years ago I moonlighted at Evening Standard but decided the auto industry was more fun. 3 decades later I'm wrenching words, not cars.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I gave up after jamming my fingers for 10 minutes straight.
How is social media changing news?
It makes everyone a journalist. Unfortunately, not everyone takes it seriously.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I don't have one.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Responsibility to explain without imprinting personal opinions.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
CareerEndingTwitterTypos.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I have no preference - email or LinkedIn are equally good.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Grammarly is my best friend.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn.
Who do you wish followed you?
Anyone who appreciates the pure joy of reading, who can paint mental pictures based on my words and who smiles when looking at cars or bikes.
Why did you become a journalist?
I love how single words stringed together can tell a story and even paint an image.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not, I was way too busy taking part in various competitions.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Starting captainelectro.com from scratch.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be patient, don't take no for an answer, have rules and never break them.
When's the best time to pitch you?
I'm a journalist - I don't sleep.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was offered a spot on a world-famous TV show, a chance to work alongside my heroes. My wife trumped it by asking if I wanted to have kids.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I'm really fortunate, never had a bad pitch. Every pitch turned into unforgettable adventure.
What's your favorite drink?
Tea.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Beach or kitchen.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Autopian, Rush, Top Gear, Evo, Car and Driver.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Apparently it's easy to put words together, any 3-year-old could do it. Probably that's why the world is full of journalists.
