What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing articles mainly about theatre productions at the Texas Christian University, I wrote for the TCU Daily Skiff.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, but that was a long time a go. My father owned a typewriter. It was his go-to machine for writing important documents.
How is social media changing news?
Breaking news is immediate. Reporting the news faster can be problematic. Facts matter more than first impressions.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Iris West-Allen
What does it mean to be a journalist?
The truth is revealed in the harsh light of day. That is what journalists do. We don't allow the truth to hide in the shadows. We seek it out
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Either by email, text or a call.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
MS Surface Pro, MS Office, a digital recording device, a microphone and an iPhone X.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon, former Australian PM Julia Gillard, Stephen Colbert, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell.
Why did you become a journalist?
I'm inspired by people such as Edward R. Murrow, David Frost, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. These people were unrelenting.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. I wrote the school theatre program.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The two articles I wrote about Denton sidewalks.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
The best way to acquire experience is by doing it. Create a blog. Write your stories. Post links to your articles on social media everywhere.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Late night or early morning.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A pitch about public safety in Denton TX. It revolved around the condition of public sidewalks.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The last Harry Potter film was snubbed by the Oscars. It was not nominated for Best Picture.
What's your favorite drink?
Glenmorangie. For people not familiar with it, Glenmorangie is a Scottish single malt whisky.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
I am either in a library researching information for an article I want to write or in downtown Dallas looking for stories.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Radio Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, The New York Times, and The Dallas Morning News.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Some people think its easy to write about entertainment, that stories just fall out of the sky, and everything is just sunshine and rainbows.
