What was your first job as a journalist?
I think it was an Upwork job where I had to write 500-word alternative medicine articles for $5.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No, I have not had to. Thank heavens.
How is social media changing news?
On the bright side, it's democratizing media, but it also provided the perfect breeding ground for fake news and propaganda.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Can't think of any.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Leave no rock unturned.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I can't think of any at the moment.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Please give a budget, timeline and approved list of sources.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Clearscope, Grammarly, ProWriting Aid, BibCitation
What's your favorite social network?
Toss up between Reddit and Twitter
Why did you become a journalist?
To be clear, I am a nurse and a health writer not a journalist per se.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, I was a co-editor.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
An article on obstetric violence, and one I'm going to call "Ukraine doesn't need praise, it needs concrete solutions"
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
You're going to have to learn to accept rejection. It's normal, but it's going to get more painful before it gets better!
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time that suits you.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
"Would you be interested in doing marketing copy for a new medical device?"
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I received an email from a potential client who told me what they were willing to pay based on my nationality.
What's your favorite drink?
Water! Always water!
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Annoying my cats.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Healio, Medscape, MedPage Today, SELF, Scientific American, TIME
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I am not sure how to answer this.
