Some scientists and other interviewees may not want to talk about controversial subjects; they may be wary of the media; or they’re just difficult to approach. This can be difficult if your source is a key character in a feature story. What can you do to break the ice?
Writers gotta write, so at some point, we buckle down and get started. A few particularly prolific science writers offer tips and tricks for how to do that.
When you are reporting for a narrative story, interviewing sources—say a researcher or a family—how do you take notes or record what’s going on without being obtrusive?
I just received a nice rejection letter from an editor who encouraged me to try again. I’d really like to write for this publication. How soon is too soon to pitch another story?
I’ve been a journalist for nearly a decade, but recently went freelance. The first two stories I’ve had accepted went through several rounds of editing over the course of several days. While I benefited from this process and my stories came out stronger because of it, I’m worried. Is this process normal?
If you’ve been out of science writing for a bit, either because of a major project that took longer than expected or a life change like a baby, what’s the best way to get back in?
How many stories do freelance science writers work on at a given time?
I’m a new science writer and I have very few published clips. What types of stories, and what types of venues (or specific ones) are best for someone like me to pitch to? And what are some good strategies for finding ideas that won’t be pitched by a ton of other writers?
For a typical mid-length feature story, how many interviews would you typically do, and how long would each one typically last?
How do you decide which meetings/conferences to attend?
How many stories are you working on at one time, and how do you manage your assignments so that you’re not over- or underworked?
Why blog? It takes a lot of time and energy that you might otherwise spend on higher paid work. What do you get out of blogging?
Pitching Errors: How Not to Pitch
Tools: Planner Pad, the Funnel of Focus
Taking Good Notes: Tricks and Tools
How Rebecca Skloot Built The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Trading the Pipette for the Pen: Transitioning from Science to Science Writing
On Being a Science Writer and Managing a Mental Illness
Are You a Writer or an Editor? Part I: The Writers
The Science Byline Counting Project: Where Are the Women—and Where Are They Not?
Navigating Newsrooms as a Minority
How to Talk to Your Facebook Friends about Fake News
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