What was your first job as a journalist?
When I was 13, I wrote stories about the games my brother's Little League team played for our League's weekly newsletter.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes.
How is social media changing news?
Too many social media participants present opinion as fact. That leads to confusion, suspicion, division and vilification.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clair Bee
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It is a gift to share with others and a privilege to utilize it. And it carries a responsibility to be fair, honest and open-minded.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is best, but the telephone works, too.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word and Excel
Who do you wish followed you?
Very honestly, my desire to enlighten others does not mean I need to have everyone else interested in what I do.
Why did you become a journalist?
I enjoy writing, learning and sharing what I learn with others in a way that not only informs but enlightens and even unites readers.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was news and sports editor for Le Sabre, at Grover Cleveland HS in Reseda, California.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wrote about a young paralyzed mom who couldn't afford surgery that would let her hold her baby. Donations poured in once the article ran.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be open-minded, be prepared to learn and share information that others won't like, and be willing to accept (and learn from) criticism.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Generally, anytime from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What's your favorite drink?
An Aperol Spritz
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Playing or composing music, reading non-fiction, and enjoying recreational and leisure time with my family.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Los Angeles Times
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Some believe journalists have their minds made up about a story before they begin to write it. I approach every article with an open mind.
