What was your first job as a journalist?
Freelance reporter.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes.
How is social media changing news?
The tail is wagging the dog.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be Sisyphus.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
An initial email, followed by a phone call if the fit is good.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Smartphone, laptop, Zettlr (FOSS note-taking software), Workflowy, Syncthing, Excel, emotional intelligence.
Why did you become a journalist?
I was restless, curious. I wanted to get out of my apartment and understand how the world works. For those goals, it was a good move.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No. Would've helped me tons if I had.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Find an editor who's much smarter than you and stick with them long enough to learn how they tick.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
"The government is after me." (It wasn't.)
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking the streets of San Francisco. It's beautiful here.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Reporters are covering all the important ground.
