What was your first job as a journalist?
I interned at my local paper, the Pretoria News.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No, alas.
How is social media changing news?
Civic journalism in particular has turned traditional journalism on its head. Looking at coverage of Britney Spears and the Gabby Petito...
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Will McAvoy forever.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
A journalist not only relays news objectively, but also guides readers through a maze of fake news and misinformation to their own truth.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
(a burn for people overly concerned about what others do with their lives)
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email. Give me two to three sentences and I'll fill in the rest. I love some autonomy on a story so that the piece guides me.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Social media, podcasting equipment and good ol' Microsoft Word.
What's your favorite social network?
My go-to is Instagram but I'm loving hard on Twitter lately (this affair started pre-Oct 2021 blackout).
Who do you wish followed you?
I'd love to garner some interest from bigger news organisations looking for meaningful women-related and parenting content.
Why did you become a journalist?
I'm an altruist and I believe the written word can change the world. Beautifully told stories that entertain and inform have power.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did! I was the editor and had a "column" that exposed the dark underbelly of our student body. It did nothing for my popularity.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
After a particularly heartbreaking story, I drafted an OpEd on a whim. I wrote from my gut and it paid off. Many people resonated with it.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write what you know and what sparks joy. Your passion will drive great copy. Know the rules so you know how to break them.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings are best to get those creative juices flowing...
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was commissioned to draft a ten-part series on The Dark Side of Motherhood. It was the 'come to Jesus' highlight of my career thus far.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was asked to write about what media women in the media consume (after hours). Few wanted to own up to their penchant for The Kardashians.
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
With my nose behind a book.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
NY Times forever (love NY Parenting). The Cut is great. Buzzfeed is always a hoot. I'm latching on to some great SubStacks too.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Parenting journalism is often misunderstood as being fluffy and materialistic. It's about more than the best pram on the market.
