Interview with:Elizabeth Sande [esande]
PROFESSION
 | What is your profession? What is your title printed on your business card? Well...what job would you like to know about?
*HydroQual Laboratories Ltd.
-Technical Writer and Data Entry
*Fashionsign Magazine
-Editor and Contributor
-Brainstormer
-Event Planner
-Social Media Queen
*The Twenty Life
-Relationship "Guru" (I'm being totally sarcastic here)
-DIY/"Little Miss Fix It" Genius
-Social Media Do-er
*Freelance
-I write for whom ever would like to publish and/or purchase my writing. |
| What did you study and why did you choose to study that field? I've studied both Journalism and Broadcast News in my post secondary adventures. |
| Do you attend cocktail parties, presentations, fairs or conventions related to your profession? Whenever possible I do attend such events, presentations, fairs and/or conventions. It's a great place to network, learn and have a little fun. Over the past few years I have met some incredible people who have helped me greatly in my career and without these individuals I would probably still be stuck working retail.
The more you socialize (even through Twitter and Facebook) the more opportunities you have created for yourself! |
| How is the Interent changing the way you work? Thanks to the internet, most people I would like to learn from and/or meet, I am able to interact with.
I make a point of sending Facebook Messages/Invites and Tweets to the individuals outside of my own work/social circles and form some sort of informal relationship with them. Sending questions, comments, thoughts and constructive criticism, all in a positive way, can lead to regular contact, which, in my experience is beneficial.
Over the past few years I've been lucky to meet with almost all of the +1000 contacts on my Facebook page. Most of these people I would not have had any contact with WITHOUT the internet...again, this is how I was fortunate enough, to start/build my career. |
| Would you relenquish some of your income in exchange for more free time? Honestly, I find a way to turn my 'work' into free time and my 'free time' into work.
Anything I do in my 'free time' can somehow be turned into an article for one of the publications I work for or for a freelance client. Same goes for my work, anyone I freelance or write for, can be of use to my 'work'.
Journalism/Broadcast/Writing is an amazing career- it's never work but it never ends. |
CREATIVITY
| How do you avoid repeating yourself, or falling into formula? How do you stay fresh? To stay fresh I keep busy and while I'm busy, if I become inspired, I email/text/tweet/facebook/ somehow contact myself with my genius idea and let myself continue to be busy for a bit longer.
People watching (yes it sounds creepy but it's really not), reading books, catching up with old friends, listening to seniors stories, even a bad day can bring out the best idea.
To avoid repeating yourself keep an open mind, so far that's worked for me. |
| Do you have a ritual like retiring to a lonely place from time to time to cleanse your mind? If I really need to clear my head I go somewhere public and just wander. There's something comforting about being in a mall or busy coffee shop, surrounded by people and not having to engage with them. Being able to just Be is the biggest mind sweep for me. |
WRITING
| What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote? I don't remember what I first read. Probably Little Critter or Doc Seuss, but I enjoy reading classics like (Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy etc) and Chic Lit (Candace Bushnell, Lindsey Kelk etc).
When I turned 12 I started keeping a diary and my writing just took off from there. I have tons of journals hidden away.
My first original was a poem and I was asked to read it at my Great Grandfathers funeral when I was 13 but when I was 19, I was published in a local paper for my experience as a Debutante...Family, friends, strangers- it was exciting. |
| What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it? I'm a sucker for what I call Fluff'n'Stuff. There are so many sad stories out there that sometimes you need a little brain food. I enjoy writing things that make people smile or laugh out loud, even if it's at my expense.
You can read some of my thoughts and experiences at these various online publications:
http://www.calgarybeacon.com/category/opinion/opinion-opinion/
http://www.calgarybeacon.com/?s=lizz+sande&x=0&y=0
http://www.calgarybeacon.com/?s=elizabeth+sande&x=0&y=0
http://www.thetwentylife.com/search/label/Lizz%20Sande?max-results=10
http://issuu.com/edmontoniansmagazine/docs/edmontonians-apr-07 (middle page)
http://fashionsignmag.com |
| What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate? When I work I need noise and lots to look at. If I work from home I'll listen to music or have the TV on in the background. My desk is covered in pictures of my friends and family which is always great for inspiration.
Most days though I go to a coffee shop in a mall and just start writing. There's a comfort in being surrounded but not having to be social. People see you, you see them but that's it. People watching can be a great place to get ideas too. |
JOURNALISM
| What is your specialty? What subjects do you deal with? I've always enjoyed happy stories and articles that make you think a little. I wouldn't say it's my specialty but I did enjoy writing columns.
Open to Interpretation followed my life as it happened. Most of the entries are random thoughts about my family, my friend, my love life and the situations that I can't seem to avoid. It's light hearted happy news that anyone can pick up at any time and hopefully relate to, just a little.
But the column, which ended November 2010, is exactly like it says, Open to Interpretation. It’s only my perspective on something which means that I know it may not be right and that there are other perspectives out there.
http://www.calgarybeacon.com/category/opinion/opinion-opinion/ |
| In which media do you presently work or have you worked? Mostly I stick to online media. It's the direction that the industry is moving and each online publication that I work for, I learn something new and bring that experience to the next job. This, hopefully, makes me a valuable employee. |
| Please list a web address where where one can view an example of your work. Open to Interpretation - http://www.calgarybeacon.com/category/opinion/opinion-opinion/
Calgary Beacon News Reporting - http://www.calgarybeacon.com/author/elizabeth-sande/
Diary of a Debutant - http://issuu.com/edmontoniansmagazine/docs/edmontonians-apr-07/9 - pg 8/9
Military Studies - http://cmss.ucalgary.ca/Fromthefrontlines
The Twenty Life - http://www.thetwentylife.com/search/label/Lizz%20Sande?max-results=10
Fashionsign Magazine - http://fashionsignmag.com |
| What is "news"? It is personalities and their actions
It is subjective.
It is about community, not just individuals.
It is gathered and written by curious people.
It is more art than science.
It is change and consequence.
It is conflict based on proximity.
It is prominence and rarity.
It is something new, or at least a new twist on an old topic.
It is everywhere and everything, you just have to ask questions. |
| With a camera on every mobile phone, is every citizen becoming a correspondent? In a sense yes but I don't see anything wrong with that. I think that publications that include, tweet or facebook relevant 'citizen' photos, thoughts or comments with a story, or even base a story around them, is progressive and being current.
Publications still need talented reporters and/or writers to tell the story but I don't see a problem with 'citizens' helping with their phones. If they're in the right place at the right time, why not? |
| How would you explain the boom of the tabloid press? People LOVE drama!
If they read that Oprah is lesbian lovers with her bff Gail or that Elvis and Princess Diana aren't dead but in fact dating in small town Ohio, they eat it up! I think for some people the tabloids are a great escape from every day stresses and a humorous read.
As for the people who read it and believe it...they might have a little to much time on their hands. |
| What is your position regarding the right to privacy of famous people? These people are famous, they signed up for it and agreed to this at some point in their life. Sometimes I feel bad for them when they go through a public break up or some sort of personal tragedy but again, this isn't new. Media has been all over the famous for as long as anyone can remember.
However, their children, parents and friends did not necessarily sign up for the public lifestyle. They're apart of it by association and it's not fair to dig into their lives. Some lines shouldn't be crossed. |
| What can you teach us about the art of the interview? From my experiences, I find the the more comfortable and natural you are, the more smoothly the interview will and go and the more information you'll learn. Interviews should always be prepped and researched but reading your questions off a list or staring at your notes wont get you anywhere. Respond the their answers, actively listen and make jokes (when appropriate). It puts everyone at ease |
| What advice would you give to someone who has just left university and wishes to start in the profession? When in doubt...ask the first question that comes into your head. If you don't know, someone else probably doesn't know either. |
PERSONALITY
| A simple pleasure that for you is quite big or important. "Buble Bath Time"- Yes...Michael Buble, in a bubble bath, with a book, candles and a glass of wine is my favorite way to relax. I work well under stress but I don't like being cranky and feeling rushed or panicked. It's not fun for me and I'm sure its no fun for anyone around. So my Buble Bath is very important to me, once a week...or more, depending on the week!
Life is more enjoyable when there's bubbles <3 |
LOVE
| Do you keep on trying, even if your feelings are not reciprocated? No, never! Why waste my time, or theirs? Obviously they aren't the one for you- that sucks, it hurts but someone else out there is the right one, so perk up and look forward to meeting them. |
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972 visits Whohub
Elizabeth Sande
Calgary - Canada
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99760 interviews created
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