What was your first job as a journalist?
Assistant editor for Industrial Minerals in New York
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
It is a great place for finding leads for stories
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Raul Duke
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Endless curiosity about the world
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Nothing comes to mind
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Windows, word, excell, Publisher, Google Chrome, Smartphone
What's your favorite social network?
Nothing comes to mind
Who do you wish followed you?
No one comes to mind
Why did you become a journalist?
I was good at writing and wanted to travel
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Getting a piece about copper in The Times
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Put the hours in to understand things, build your contacts, and there is no stupid question
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Want to come to the Arctic on an icebreaker?
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Any that want me to write about a company, person or product that has nothing to say and doesn't want to answer any questions
What's your favorite drink?
Tea and coffee
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Playing with my kids
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Guardian
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I am only here to write about the positive things
