What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing as a freelancer for a small finance blog. It got zero traffic but it allowed me to sharpen my sword to get noticed
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I used a typewriter a few times as a kid. It was more of a way to try to see how "it was back in the day".
How is social media changing news?
Social media gives more immediate access but with that it is also giving a lot of misinformation/bias & readers should be on their toes
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I don't think they've been created yet
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means that I write stuff...a lot
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
lol
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Send me a few paragraphs of info, give some insight & context, let me review with my team and provide info to respond to.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
TD Ameritrade Think or Swim, Microsoft Word, Adobe Suite
What's your favorite social network?
Personally, I enjoy using Twitter and then Facebook. I like up to the minute info and so do people that follow me. Twitter's where it's at.
Who do you wish followed you?
Tim Seymour
Why did you become a journalist?
Ask me that in 10 years
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Nope
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I really enjoy the in-depth articles on marijuana that I've written. Most of the time I've been able to identify a trend ahead of time.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write about something you like, not about what's hot at the time. People will work with you because you know your industry.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Evenings
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Waiting for one right now :)
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
None so far
What's your favorite drink?
A nice lemonade iced tea
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Hanging out on the patio, down at a cigar bar, or reading my tablet on the beach
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
My first website (besides mine) that I go to is reddit, then Yahoo Finance
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
It's not an 808
