EDUCATION/CAREER TRACK: B.S., double major, political science and journalism, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 1984. The Dallas Morning News, reporter, 1985-91. The Washington Post, reporter, 1991-94. The Dallas Morning News, editor, 1994-99. For academic year 1999-2000, I participated in a customized Belo training program and served as a visiting professor of journalism and adviser to the president, TAMU-Commerce. The Dallas Morning News, columnist, writing for the Metropolitan and Texas Living sections, 2000-present.

MOST UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE ON THE JOB: Walking into the line of fire while covering a hostage situation in Arlington early in my career and hearing someone yell, "Get down, fool!!'' Being asked to work on my wedding day, which forced me to figure out if I could say "I will'' before "I do.'' I did.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I'll save that for my book, if you don't mind.

IF I HAD TWO SPARE HOURS, I WOULD: Spend them with my son.

THE SECRET TO A GOOD NEWS COLUMN IS: Write thoughtfully and provocatively about issues and people that readers do or should care about. Get readers to think or feel something when they read your work. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty by doing some digging of your own. Know your audience, and listen.