freelance science journalist and author
When I first heard the term ‘pantsing’ I thought it was cutesy Gollum-speak (“yessssss, we is pantsing, my precioussssss”). But no. Turns out it’s writer-speak for ‘flying by the seat of your pants’, also known as discovery writing, also known as driving without TomTom, also known as writing without an outline. What is an outline? … Continue reading Plotting or pantsing?
I wrote my first astronomy story recently. It was one of those stories where the journal/research organisation press release sounds amazing and you think, ‘wow, this story is going to write itself’. Then you look at the actual paper and you can’t even understand what the title means. Reading the abstract makes your brain leak … Continue reading Do you need a science background to write about science?
From ABC Science News Online, 10 February 2014: Astronomers have discovered the oldest known star, born in the fiery wake of a first generation supernova after the Big Bang. The star, with the catchy name SMSS J031300.362670839.3, came to the attention of an international team of astronomers because of its unique chemical fingerprint showing it … Continue reading Oldest known star discovered
I’ve had a few professional titles over the years, and a few unprofessional ones too (Office Monkey in the 1995 student newspaper office being a notable one), but the one that has always been there and I hope will always be there is science journalist. I’m very proud to be a science journalist and I … Continue reading Why science?
So I’m at a conference about science communication. I’m surrounded by fellow science nerds, communicators, journalists and scientist. I have met some inspiring, fascinating, funny and dedicated individuals who have fired me with enthusiasm to be a better science journalist, a more diligent blogger and a more discerning science nerd. I am brimming with ideas … Continue reading Blocked up
I used to believe that I wasn’t cut out for writing fiction. That was until I did an online writing course at the Gotham Writers’ Workshop. (I should point out that I am as yet unpublished as a fiction writer, so for all I know I’m utterly shite at it). I wanted to try my … Continue reading Gotham’s finest
We all do it. Don’t give me that innocent puritanical look. I know you do. Hiding away behind your computer, in a private little room somewhere, casting furtive glances over the top of your screen in case someone walks in on you, ready to quickly stop what you’re doing and pretend you really were working. … Continue reading Procrasturbation
From ABC Health and Wellbeing, 21 January 2014: Obesity surgery is hardly a new kid on the medical block. The first surgical attempts to help people lose weight were performed more than half a century ago. Bariatric or metabolic surgery, which involves either chopping out or tying off a section of the stomach, is now … Continue reading Is weight loss surgery the answer for diabetes?
From ABC Health and Wellbeing, 17 January 2014: In the 15th century, an unknown Dominican friar penned Ars Moriendi, or The Art of Dying. At the time, it offered an immensely popular guide on the attainment of a ‘good death’ and spawned a rash of translations and copycats across Europe. One wonders what its author … Continue reading Is there a right way to approach death?
The great thing about being a freelance journalist is I can work just about anywhere. As long as I have a mobile phone connection and my computer, I can work. Like right now, for instance. I’m sitting in the cafe at Sydney Aquarium while the rest of my family ogles the fauna, writing a news … Continue reading Oh the places you’ll work
Bianca Nogrady 