What was your first job as a journalist?
Aggregated news items for IBM's Midsize Insider
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, in the early 80s.
How is social media changing news?
Makes news gathering easier and more interactive as anyone can send in tips or comment using their smartphones.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Ford Prefect from Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means putting your words out there for public review, then taking feedback and consciously ignoring it.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
None spring to mind as I'm not keen on Twitter.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email initially.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
It depends on the project but Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and Skype are commonly used.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn
Who do you wish followed you?
Thought leaders and innovators in emerging tech.
Why did you become a journalist?
My original aim was creative writing but editor encouragement led me in a new direction.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I contributed to our high school mag, submitting sarcastic reviews of school events.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I did enjoy writing one on the use of satellite imagery in archaeology, interviewing an archaeologist from Charleston University.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Pitch on a constant basis until you find a niche where editors value your contributions.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time day or night - I respond within 8 hours in most cases.
