For this week’s Media Monday, we’d like you to meet Abby Luschei, freelance entertainment writer at Ville Magazine Seattle.
1. How did you find yourself as a journalist?
If I am being honest, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City. I love the show, and always admired how she used her experiences to relate to so many people. I used to write in high school, but never considered it as a profession until her.
2. What is your favorite thing about journalism?
I wrote a piece on Xanax abuse, specifically in college, that went viral. As much as I loved that it got so much attention, I was happy it was a piece that had substance and related to so many people who have dealt with Xanax abuse or know someone effected by it.
3. What is your interview style?
I prefer to do in-person interviews. I think you get the most honest answers when you do interviews face-to-face. I like my interviews to be more like a conversation. I always go into them with a list of questions, but sometimes the answers lead me to different questions. I will never disrupt the flow of a conversation in order to ask questions I came in with.
4. What do you look for in a story?
Obviously, substance. The who, what, where, and when, but the why is what is important. I always ask myself, “why does this matter?” Who will this impact? I want to relate to people. I want to be the person who can put into words how they are feeling, or what they want to say. I want the people who read my articles to say, “that is exactly how I feel.” On the other hand, however, I also want people to tell me their perspectives, even if it is different than my own. You cannot please everyone, and that is okay.
5. What is your day like as a freelancer?
Well, I have just started my freelance career. So far, it is emailing back and forth with my publisher a couple times a day, constantly researching on my subject, and always keeping an eye out for my next story.
6. Who do you most look up to in the journalism industry?
I look up to the honest journalist. I look up to journalists who are not afraid to talk about things that make people uncomfortable, the things that need to be talked about. However, I am more of an entertainment writer. So if I had to pick a specific person, it would be Catt Sadler or Matt Bellassai.
7. What is your favorite news outlet?
For my news, Associated Press or CNN (not fake news.) For my entertainment, E! News or Buzzfeed.
8. Fill in the blank:
- If I am not reporting, I am…binge watching Netflix.
- If I could interview anyone, it would be… Chrissy Teigen.
- My favorite thing about Seattle is… that it is a city that inspires diversity, creativity and acceptance.
10. What is your guilty pleasure?
Literally anything white chocolate.