What was your first job as a journalist?
Not counting high school/college newspapers, my first "real" article appeared in the Richmond-based RVA magazine.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Not to write anything professional or lengthy, no.
How is social media changing news?
It's certainly making news more accessible and up to date-- and giving us a more honest portrayal of what's happening all around the world.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Harriet the Spy (totally counts), followed by April (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Carrie Bradshaw, & Borat/Bruno will always be hilarious!
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, it means working hard (and playing hard!), maintaining a strong sense of ethics, and presenting information in a fresh, engaging way.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Not sure how newsy this is, but Patton Oswalt's hashtags got some pretty hilarious responses.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is best, and make sure you're familiar with what I write about. The worst is getting an e-blast that has no relevance to my coverage.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
The ol' Interweb of course, Pages, Numbers, a voice recording app, my Canon Rebel t4i, and in the market for transcription software...
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram, by a long shot! I'm a little obsessive.
Who do you wish followed you?
Terry Gross ()
Why did you become a journalist?
I love meeting new people, learning new things, asking questions, and telling stories. Journalism is a perfect combination of those things.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I sure did! I think I was a News editor to start, then the Features editor, then the Arts editor, if I remember correctly...
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wrote a feature on the challenges of beekeeping in Central Texas which ended up being more difficult than I'd ever imagined!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Sounds so cliche but: don't give up! Sometimes I feel like a professional pest, but perserverence has gotten me this far...
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime really, but often publicists pitch me too late, when I'm already up to my ears in other assignments. I'd say a month ahead is best.
