I’ve been writing some personal essays that I plan to publish on my blog throughout the next few weeks. Finding time to write essays is an ongoing challenge, but I’ve been trying to do it more — for the sake of my writing and for the sake of self-discovery. In writing about my life andContinue reading “Carving Out Time to Write about Journalism, Life”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
On a ‘Running High’ after Finishing the Disney Princess Half Marathon
My wake-up call was much too early. Saturday night, I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. and set my alarm for 3:15 a.m. — the time I usually go to bed on Saturday nights. The Disney Princess Half Marathon was starting at 6 a.m. the next morning, and my friends and I had to beContinue reading “On a ‘Running High’ after Finishing the Disney Princess Half Marathon”
Running the Disney Princess Half Marathon This Weekend
I’ve bought my tiara and am ready to be a princess, if only for a day. This weekend I’m running the Disney Princess Half Marathon with two of my best friends — one from my hometown and one from college. I’ve been training for a few months for this race, getting up early in theContinue reading “Running the Disney Princess Half Marathon This Weekend”
News Sites Find Ways to Engage Users, Lower Bounce Rates
Today Poynter Online published a story I’ve been working on about bounce rates. In the course of my reporting, I came across a variety of news sites that have found creative ways to increase user engagement and lower their bounce rates. You can find out more about what they’re doing here: “There are lots ofContinue reading “News Sites Find Ways to Engage Users, Lower Bounce Rates”
Catching up with John Quinn, Young Journalists in the Chips Quinn Program
I’ve been lucky enough to have some great mentors throughout the years, many of whom graduated from my alma mater, Providence College. Last weekend, I drove across the state of Florida to visit one of them. John Quinn, who graduated from PC in 1945, 62 years before I did, held a Chips Quinn reunion atContinue reading “Catching up with John Quinn, Young Journalists in the Chips Quinn Program”
Journalists, Community Help ProPublica with its ‘Super Bowl Blitz’ Investigation
In timing with Super Bowl XLIV, I wrote a story about ProPublica’s investigation into which Congress members were going to the game and whether they would be fundraising there. ProPublica reporter Marcus Stern is the lead reporter on the “Super Bowl Blitz” project, which is one of several projects he hopes to pursue this yearContinue reading “Journalists, Community Help ProPublica with its ‘Super Bowl Blitz’ Investigation”
Pursuing the ‘Craft of the Personal Essay’
Personal essay writing has always been my saving grace. When the spoken word fails, when I have the urge to get out my feelings, when I want to preserve a memory, I write. In recent years, I’ve written a lot of personal essays that touch upon universal themes — mother-daughter relationships, loss and healing. IContinue reading “Pursuing the ‘Craft of the Personal Essay’”
Interviewing Katie Couric about Political Journalism, Future of Network Newscasts
Earlier this week I had the privilege of interviewing Katie Couric, who just won an Alfred I. duPont award for her series of interviews with former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Having grown up watching Couric on “The TODAY Show,” I was excited to talk with her by phone about her career as a journalistContinue reading “Interviewing Katie Couric about Political Journalism, Future of Network Newscasts”
After Earthquake Strikes, Journalists Try to Connect Haitian Readers with Family Abroad
In keeping up with the news about the Haiti earthquake, I’ve been following how news organizations have covered the tragedy. Earlier this week, I interviewed some journalists in South Florida to find out what they were doing to best serve their local audience, which is largely comprised of Haitians. Journalists at The Miami Herald andContinue reading “After Earthquake Strikes, Journalists Try to Connect Haitian Readers with Family Abroad”
Ellen Goodman Retires, Shares Her Column-Writing Tips
It would have been difficult to write about columnist Ellen Goodman without writing in first person. I grew up reading Goodman’s nationally syndicated columns and often looked to her as a role model. I’m going to miss her writing now that she’s retiring. Last week, after hearing about Goodman’s retirement, I set up an interviewContinue reading “Ellen Goodman Retires, Shares Her Column-Writing Tips”
Word on the Street 