Author: BJ Deming

Words have always fascinated me, but for a long time writing scared me. That's why I followed other interests: getting an associate's degree in forestry during the 1980s and then studying undergraduate geology for a couple of years. But I was always restless until returning to words indirectly as a medical transcriptionist. We used typewriters in those days and relied on Dorland's and other print references to develop the same med-school vocabulary as our dictators. I loved doing all that research and also took pride in my accuracy and reliability in meeting all deadlines -- even stats. It was also quite a science communication education, listening to hundreds of experts, over those 25 years, putting complex biophysical facts and medical procedure descriptions into plain English for the medical record. Upon retiring several years ago and with my interest in geology rekindled thanks to the Internet, I decided to start a blog -- FlightToWonder.com -- and try my hand at science communication. I chose my birth name for a pen name, under a mistaken impression of my birth family, who lost custody of me in 1956. I got writing credits under B. J. Deming before realizing the mistake and decided to keep it as is. Unfortunately, the real-life family situation is a mess, up to and including stalking, so until I can get this into court and straightened out, I ask that you send me a note if you want to verify my non-writing history and I'll privately tell you my legal name As for the fun stuff -- the blog -- there was a learning curve, of course, but it's working out really well. The audience is growing and I'm presenting more information in fewer words, which is always a tough challenge for new writers. As well, here are some of the major science writing lessons I've learned so far: 1. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know or understand something. That often means you've reached the really interesting stuff. Even better, it keeps you from taking sides when trying to sort out one of the many controversies that keep popping up. 2. Science is a process. Today's "world-changing truth" may be tomorrow's old news (or worse, a mistake by you or the researcher). Cover science honestly -- like Malone [written by Arthur Conan Doyle, a physician] did the findings and disagreements of Professors Challenger and Summerlee in "The Lost World." Laypeople enjoy watching that process unfold through another layperson's eyes. 3. Avoid speculation of any type, especially your own. When it's unavoidable, label it as speculation. 4. Check citations as well as sources and don't stray far from the consensus. But don't take it as gospel, either. Always look for more information. As a cat lover, the blog start-up also seemed like a good time to write a book about how cats evolved. There is SO much information on that, though! I am therefore taking the cat history in steps, beginning with single posts and a series on the modern cat family. That is nearing completion now, and it's almost time to get into the sabertooths. But I also want to broaden my coverage of geological topics like gemstones and other precious or valuable minerals, while continuing to write about volcanoes -- this, too, is a lot of fun! And to develop new professional skills, particularly those needed for interviews and media types, I am taking journalism classes online, currently working through the fourth of five modules in Michigan State's "Become A Journalist: Report the News!" at https://www.coursera.org/specializations/become-a-journalist