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We thought our readers/viewers might like to learn about some of the folks who work at IdahoPTV. Because there are so many people who work behind the scenes, you may have seen some of them, or maybe only heard about them. Today we would like to introduce Writer/Editor Greg Likins.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres recently asked Greg to do an interview, and like any writer, he preferred to write down his answers instead of being interviewed. “Since I aim to please, I happily agreed,” Carol says. “I hope you enjoy our exchange.”
Let’s start with what Greg does here at the station. “I work in the Communications department as the writer and editor for most of the written content we mail out or post online: Channels magazine, the Highlights e-newsletter, articles on our WordPress blog,” he says. He tells me that when asked what he does by folks who don’t work at IdahoPTV, they assume he writes for our local shows, like Outdoor Idaho. “I reluctantly have to confess that our amazing producers are responsible for that writing,” he admits. “I tell them, ‘I don’t write the shows, but I write about the shows, to try to bring them to a wider audience.’”
Before his role at IdahoPTV, Greg had a 15-year career as a public librarian. Before that he worked as a bookstore manager.
Like many of us in the Gem State, Greg is a transplant. “I was born in Southern California and moved north to the Portland area as part of that great migration of Californians in the 1970s. My dad worked in aircraft assembly for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, California, and moved us to Oregon for a similar job with Boeing. After high school, I followed a girlfriend to college in Southern Oregon. After college, I followed someone else to Seattle and the San Juan Islands. Eventually I moved to Boise, where my family had resettled for a few years. Fortunately, I stayed in Idaho and met my beautiful wife, Elisa, 27 years ago.” They have two grown daughters; their daughter Erin is a member of the IdahoPTV family as well.
Greg’s hobby is very similar to his work: “I’ve had a lifelong love affair with books, from my first copies of The Monster at the End of This Book and Gus Was a Friendly Ghost to my current bookcases that are double-stacked with classics, short-story collections, poetry anthologies, and contemporary novels,” he says. He also does a fair amount of writing in his free time. “I fancied myself a short-story writer for a long time and I write in a form called ‘flash fiction,’ which are stories shorter than a thousand words. I’ve had a bunch published in Boise Weekly’s annual Fiction 101 contest, where the word count is exactly 101 words. This next one’s not really a hobby, but in my free time I copy-edit and proofread books for several nonfiction book publishers and for a group of self-published writers, most of whom write paranormal romances and sell them on Amazon (werewolf–fairy love stories, anyone?). Most of these writers turn out ten books or more each year and write in a breezy, humorous style that is really fun to read. That makes it fun work.” Don’t think he’s all work and no wild side, either. “I keep thinking I want to get a tattoo. Something that combines a sock monkey and a possum. I’m fond of ravens too. And old typewriters. Someone should design that for me,” he adds.
When it comes to his favorite part of the state, Greg appreciates the small-town vibe the ‘City of Trees’ has. “I know other people will wax poetic about Idaho’s natural scenery, but for me, my favorite part of Idaho is downtown Boise. I’ve always been a city guy, and growing up in Portland was a mixed bag: an eclectic, cultural downtown was only minutes away on a Tri-Met bus or light-rail train, but it was sometimes a scary trip. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Boise’s downtown for the first time. Lots of fun shops, galleries, coffeehouses, a short walk to the parks and BSU, and it all felt so clean and safe, even long after dark,” Greg says. “The city has grown, and even though I live in Nampa, I still try to get downtown at least once a month for a live show at the Olympic Venue, a visit to Rediscovered Books or the Record Exchange, one of the weekend markets, or a food truck.”
In the snacking realm, Greg likes the homey touch. “I’m a sucker for home-baked peanut butter cookies. You know, just in case you need an editor who works for treats. I’m your guy.” And as far as his favorite PBS Kids character, Greg goes old school: “I’m supposed to say WordGirl, right? She’s every writer’s superhero (and who wouldn’t want a monkey sidekick named Captain Huggy Face?). But she wasn’t around when I was a kid, so my eternal favorite PBS Kids character will always be lovable, furry ol’ Grover. He has anxiety issues that speak to me, even as an adult,” he adds.