What was your first job as a journalist?
No. My first job ever was a telemarketer.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, but only when I visited my grandparents. They had an old black one they would prep for when my sister and I visited.
How is social media changing news?
Our attention spans have shortened. This means anything can be thrown at us in 4-5 seconds and e'll believe it. We lack critical thinking.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
J Jonah Jameson or Rita Skeeter
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Getting the word out there. Our job SHOULD be to provide unbiased information to the public. But unbiased means holding nothing back.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I already answered this.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Quickly. I really hate the concept of burying the lead. For all that talk I made about attention spans, I'm just as bad.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
WordPress
What's your favorite social network?
It's Twitter, but I don't have much of a presence on there strictly because I will waste HOURS on there if I did.
Who do you wish followed you?
Nobody. I am my own person.
Why did you become a journalist?
I like telling stories and I like getting paid.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't. The school was too small to have one
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Honestly I don't think I have one right now
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
The same thing for pretty much any profession. Be hungry and stay at it. You can't do it all alone but you better be able to do the work.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Best windows are 10am-11:30am, or 3-5pm. Those are the gaps between when I'm working that my creative and focused brain can go for it.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Every single one from my manager Pat.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Third Grade. Recess. That kid really shouldn't ever play baseball.
What's your favorite drink?
Coconut water
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Outside training for track
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
My 8 year old nephew likes to write as well. He shows me his stories whenever we facetime.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Yes, all the sources of cancer and dementia and dying are scary. No, they are not as common as we make them out to be
