Instititute of Children's Literature

Rx for Writers

Transcripts

"Building Your Writer's Résumé with Science Articles" with Ana Rodriguez.

Thursday, July 11, 2002

Moderator is Kristi Holl, web editor for this site and author of 24 books and 150+ articles. She also taught writing for children for 15 years.

Ana is Ana Rodriguez (whose children's articles are written under the pen name Mariana Relos), an award-winning writer with 30 science articles published in magazines like Highlights for Children, Yes Mag, Superscience, and Archaeology's Dig. She won the Highlights for Children History Feature of the Year Award for the article "The Kids Who Fought Smallpox."

Names color coded in blue are viewers who had questions.

Interviews are held on Thursday nights for two hours beginning [9 CANADA/Atlantic], 8 Eastern, 7 Central, 6 Mountain, and 5 Pacific.

Moderator: Good evening, everyone! I'm Kristi Holl, your moderator and the web editor for this site. Tonight I have with me Ana Rodriguez who will be talking to us about "Building Your Writer's Resumé with Science Articles." Ana (whose children's articles are written under the pen name Mariana Relos) is an award-winning writer with 30 science articles published in magazines like Highlights for Children, Yes Mag, Superscience, and Archaeology's Dig. Welcome, Ana!

Ana: Hello, everyone! I'm glad to be here.

Moderator: How did you get started writing, Ana?

Ana: I started writing when I was a teenager, but with college, family and all, I really didn't get serious until about 3 years ago.

Moderator: What kinds of science topics have you written on? Can you give us some titles too?

Ana: I have written about curious things about animals, for example, how Emperor penguins feed their young. They actually regurgitate the food they eat. The article was called "One dinner coming right up!" I have also written about natural phenomena. "Shields Up!" was about the risks of UV radiation. I have another article about what motion sickness is and how to prevent it.

Moderator: I know you won an award from Highlights for Children concerning your science writing--can you tell us about that? What was the award and what was your article about?

Ana: The award was the History Feature of the Year Award. Highlight's editors vote every year to select it. The article was about how orphan children from Spain brought the smallpox vaccine to the Americas in the 1800s, saving thousands of children from the disease.

pilarb: Highlights magazine says in their guidelines that sending pictures will help get an article published. Have you ever done that? If so, where do the pictures come from?

Ana: For one of my Highlights articles, I asked the scientist I interviewed if he had any illustrations I could use for my article. He kindly let me use some of his field pictures. They illustrated the article very nicely. Other times I got the permission to use pictures in books.

Moderator: Referring to the small pox article: When choosing topics to write about, do you need to find the "kid angle" for it to sell?

Ana: Yes, this is very important to keep in mind. The smallpox article was to the point because the orphan kids were the heroes of the story. In other articles, I try to find slants or aspects of the information I have that kids might easily relate to, or might think is funny.

saraj: Is there a trick to finding the "kid angle" that you talked about? How do you find it?

Ana: What do kids like? Let's say 7 to 9 year olds. They like gross things, like penguins regurgitating to feed their young. Or most kids are fascinated with crocodiles. I am working now on an article about why crocodiles are so good at stalking their victims while drinking in shallow waters.

Moderator: Why is writing science articles a good way to break into print?

Ana: For starters, there is not as much competition as there is with fiction. But there still is a high demand for articles. Some of my writer friends tell me that they don't like the research part. Demand is high, offer is low. Dig into it.

Moderator: Where did you find your first ideas for science articles?

Ana: I was reading an adult science magazine, not for specialists, and they mentioned smallpox and briefly, it was just a small paragraph, the orphan kids who brought the vaccine to the New World. From there it was just digging out the story.

pilarb: I'm one of those people that don't like the research part. Any tips on how to get past that?

Ana: That's one of those sour drinks you must take if you want to write a good science article. When some topics are hard for me, I start talking with experts whose motivation and clear 'everyday-talking' manner of explaining things helps me get into the research books.

pfums: As one of those who sometimes over-researches, how do you know when you have enough? And how do you cut out stuff you don't need?

Ana: Focus, focus, focus. Pick the most clearly understood aspect of your topic and magnify it with examples and anecdotes. I also tend to over research and over write. Only after I focus on a particular aspect of the article does it start to come out right.

pilarb: Was it difficult to research for the smallpox story? It seems like a topic that wouldn't have much written on it.

Ana: You would be surprised! The literature about smallpox dates back to 1796, actually even before because it is a very old disease that has killed millions all over the world.

lizanne: How have you used your 'extra information ' from your research?

Ana: Some I use to write a short interesting side bar. Sometimes I develop another article which focuses on the extra material I didn't use the first time.

Moderator: Where can new writers find fresh ideas for science articles?

Ana: Keep your eyes on the news. I mean the science/health section of nationwide newspapers. Browse adult science magazines (Natural History or the Smithsonian). For example, I saw an article in the New York Times recently about a Tsunami in the Philippines. Scientists were saying it was caused by an underwater landslide and not by an underwater earthquake as it mostly happens. Based on this article I wrote one about Tsunamis and the causes. It will appear in a Canadian science magazine for kids in September.

mbvoelker: Is it difficult to sell a closely related article after you've sold the primary result of your research?

Ana: It all depends where you send it. Usually what is secondary information for one aspect of the research is of primary importance when you look at it, focusing from the second point of view. For example, in the Tsunami article I focused on the events that might trigger them. But during the research I found a lot of information about legends about Tsunamis from Japan, Philippines, and other countries, and this made a nice story about folklore and myths on Tsunamis.

Moderator: What kinds of subjects fall under the heading of "science writing"?

Ana: Anything related to animals, from their behavior to how their bodies work the same or differently from ours. Also biotechnology. For example I wrote an article on how Canadian scientists are trying to make ice cream last longer in the freezer without developing ice crystals, which make the ice cream taste 'nasty' crunchy. How things work, from remote controls, to supermarket scanners. Also natural phenomena: Tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, solar radiation and diseases.

Moderator: Is there a way to find out what subjects might be most appropriate for certain age groups?

Ana: Look at the magazines that publish science articles by age group. See what they have. If you have the opportunity, 'spy' on what kids of different ages like to know about. I ask kids a lot what would they like to know about space, medicine, disease, animals or any other subject you might think of.

mbvoelker: Is there a type of science that is in greater demand?

Ana: You have to look by age group. Young kids, 4 to 8, love anything related to animals: how they do what they do, for example. And that's what the respective editors are looking for. Space is always in demand for older groups. And recently disease articles are in demand too, like smallpox or anthrax.

mare: Are there resources you think every writer doing research for science articles should have?

Ana: Today it is not enough to go to the library. It has helped me a lot having an Internet connection to access other library's catalogs, for example, as well as databases with lots of magazines. So, get on the Net, but keep your library card and make friends with your librarian and especially with the person in charge of interlibrary loans.

lizanne: Another place to look for science ideas is with your state's department of education - to check on what the curriculum is for various grade levels.

Ana: I agree, Lizanne.

mare: Have you found it helpful to write your articles based on school curriculums?

Ana: Yes, it has been. Most magazines want to increase sales by being a good source for school material.

legacy: How do you locate publishers looking for science articles?

Ana: I use the Institute's children's magazine market book and look under the categories of nonfiction or science. I browse the book stores and libraries.

mbvoelker: Where do you find experts to ask? I'm looking into the (modern), medical use of maggots and leeches but I don't know where to go to contact people with actual experience in biosurgery.

Ana: I would start doing a search in a medical database such as Pub Med. You can have your browser look for the URL. This database shows you recent and not-so-old articles published by medical scientists all over the world. The database includes the names, addresses and most of the time the e-mail addresses of the researchers, so you can contact the person easily.

lizanne: Here is a URL for the upcoming themes and due dates for Odyssey magazine: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pages/writersODYSguides.html

Ana: Odyssey is great; they love "tag-along-with-the-scientist" stories.

legacy: How many places do you have to submit to normally to get an acceptance?

Ana: Some pieces I got lucky, Legacy, but others I am still in my 6th submission and nothing yet.

jim: I'm a retired mathematician. How would you hook a middle grader into a math article? Ex. Fractal geometry.

Ana: I would try to present the article with many examples of daily life or things that kids can relate to that are explained with fractals.

pfums: How much do science articles need to be tailored to a specific magazine, and how much are they free standing?

Ana: If you want your article to go to Cricket, read at least all the science articles in 10 issues. That would give you a pretty good idea on how to write it. You need to tailor them.

paulplqn: Are you a graduate of the ICL?

Ana: Yes, I am, paulplqn. It was a launching event for me. My first Highlights article was one of the assignments.

Moderator: Cool! What are some magazines for different age groups that buy science-type articles?

Ana: Everybody knows Highlights. Also Cricket, Odyssey, and MUSE. SuperScience, Current Health, National Geographic Explorations, YES Mag, Archaeology's Dig... The list is long. I'm sure I forgot quite a few.

Moderator: If someone wants to write nonfiction, but it is hard for him/her to come up with ideas, what can they do?

Ana: If you tried the sources for ideas I mentioned before and nothing comes to mind, there are a few magazines which have their own article ideas and they are looking for good writers to develop them. Some of those magazines are Current Health, SuperScience, National Geographic for Kids.

lizanne: Can US citizens send to the Canadian magazine YES?

Ana: Yes, they can! They will pay you in Canadian dollars, which is not as OK as American dollars, but hey! a publication is a publication.

mbvoelker: Given Cricket Group's recent policy change are there any top science markets that don't demand all rights?

Ana: Not that come to mind, unfortunately.

lizanne: Is it difficult to get articles accepted in Weekly Reader, World Book encyclopedia and the science magazine Scholastic publishes for classrooms? Science Weekly is a science 4 page 'magazine ' sort of thing - like a Weekly Reader. When I was teaching science to 4th graders I used it each week. You can check them out through Steck Vaughan.

Ana: It has been hard for me so far. I have sent them like 3 different articles, but they did not accept them. I am still trying to figure out how to get into that market.

Moderator: In what places do you do your research?

Ana: I search library books, science magazines, science journals, university's web sites, specifically their 'news releases' section. Also museum web sites.

Moderator: Are there any particularly helpful web sites specifically for science writers that you use for research?

Ana: I mentioned Pub Med (written just like that), the database called General Reference Center, available through some libraries. And again the NY Times, Washington Post, BBC London and others with up-to-date science/health sections.

Moderator: If writers aren't experts on some scientific matter, how can they be sure the facts they uncover are accurate?

Ana: If checking the literature doesn't make you happy, check with the experts.

Moderator: How many sources do you find a fact in before you consider it accurate?

Ana: I stop at three, counting the experts.

Moderator: How much (and what kind of) detail should a science article have?

Ana: This depends on the age group. For readers 5 to 8, make sure the basic concepts or ideas are clear. Don't overwhelm them with too much detail. Older kids can take more detail and complex themes.

lizanne: Find out if your library has a membership in EBSCO - it has a database of magazines - usually all you need is a library card and you use your card number to get to the database. I think it is a great resource!

Ana: I agree with Lizanne. When you get your library card, ask them to show you the list of databases they are subscribed to. There is a wealth of information for science articles out there!

Moderator: Do science articles have to be about the latest scientific discoveries, the cutting edge stuff in the news?

Ana: Not necessarily. Once I mentioned to the editor of Highlights that I was fascinated with how the code bars on everything we buy worked. And he said that that sort of everyday thing that we don't know how they work make great science articles for kids.

Moderator: Do you have to interview scientists when writing science articles?

Ana: Not always, but I do most of the time. They make concepts clear, and when they tell you how they got their ideas for research you have a natural hook for your audience.

legacy: Who do you consider an expert? Science teachers, or a doctor?

Ana: An expert is one who has spent years working with the subject. Someone who has had a lot of experience with it and hopefully has published about the subject.

Moderator: Are there fees involved when you interview scientists?

Ana: I have never had a scientist charge me with fees. They like their work to be known and most of them like children to be their audience.

valentine: How do you find a scientist to interview?

Ana: As you do your research, you will find names of scientists and you can track them to their workplace at a university or a private company via the Internet.

legacy: Do you normally mention your interview in the article or just cite it?

Ana: I include, in the narrative of my article, quotes from the interview. I ask the scientists in advance if they would mind. I have not found one that said not to do that.

pfums: How should you "reward" contributors like scientists? Is mentioning them sufficient, or is it good to include copies or something?

Ana: I mention their complete name (don't forget their title like "Doctor") and their affiliation, which is the place where they work. Yes, I always send them a copy of the issue where the article about their work appears.

mbvoelker: Do you use telephone or e-mail interviews? Or do you find that only face-to-face interviews are good enough?

Ana: Most of my interviews are by e-mail. Most scientists prefer that so they can think about their answers and also adapt the interview to their schedule. One scientist once asked me to call her instead of e-mailing her. It was worth it because she had an interesting anecdote that sold my article. If you live close to the scientist you want to interview, by all means set an appointment and bring your notebook, tape recorder, and don't forget your camera!

legacy: Are any of your articles online so that we might get to read them? Or just in magazines and where could we get a copy?

Ana: One of my articles is online. It is on the web site of Archaeology's Dig. Go to: http://dig.archaeology.org//facts/meat.html.

Moderator: Where do you find illustrations for science articles?

Ana: Most of my editors find the illustrations for the articles, whether pictures or art by illustrators. But some editors ask me for suggestions for illustrations and I dig into books or magazines and find out who has their picture's credits. I get a good deal of illustrations from the scientists themselves, who kindly let the magazine publish them at no cost, just mention the source.

Moderator: Do you pay for the illustrations or photos yourself? If so, what does that cost?

Ana: So far I have not paid for any of the illustrations of my articles. I keep my fingers crossed!

Moderator: I know you quote scientists in your articles. Do you need his/her permission?

Ana: As a courtesy I ask them BEFORE the interview if they would mind if I quoted them. None of them has refused to be quoted so far.

Moderator: Does the scientist or expert get to read your finished article in order to give his approval?

Ana: They don't have to, but again I ask them if they would mind reading it for accuracy. This has the double benefit of you receiving an expert opinion on how accurate your work is and the scientist is pleased his work is told as it is. I have had a couple of scientists mention to me how they would have liked to read such and such an article before it was published because it did not present their work correctly.

Moderator: Were they your articles, or someone else's? (Just curious.)

Ana: They were articles written by news reporters. None were mine!!!

mariana: An editor asked me to have an expert review my article for "accuracy and tone." How do I ask? Does an expert expect a reading fee? My article is 3 and a half double-spaced pages, about 900 words.

Ana: I would present myself to the 'expert' as a children's science writer working in the article about his work and you would like to ask him (her) if he would mind reading it for accuracy. Scientists are very helpful about this. They do it all the time for colleagues and they like to do it for science writers. I haven't seen a case charging a fee, but just in case I always ask them if they have any conditions for reading the article. Tell the expert ahead of time how long it is, and give him plenty of time, like a week or so to do it.

Moderator: Is this common, to have an editor ask you to have the article read for accuracy by an expert?

Ana: My experience is that they don't ask for that. They ask the experts themselves to do it. But if you do it without the editor asking you to, they would be pleased. Don't forget to give the editor the address, phone number and e-mail of the expert. They like to 'double check' everything.

mbvoelker: If you have a lot of sources that all say the same thing, how do you decide which sources to put in the bibliography? Do you have to list the redundant sources you read? Or just the main sources?

Ana: If I had 5 different authors who have independently found the same thing, I would mention them all. This is usually not seen as redundant information, but as a solid confirmation of the facts.

Moderator: I know you use a pen name. Can you tell us why? Is a pen name important?

Ana: I use the pen name of Mariana Relos to differentiate my children's science articles from the adult articles I have already written.

Moderator: I see! Ana, I'm sorry to interrupt now, but we're out of time. Ana, thank you so much for coming and sharing tonight. You've simplified the whole idea of being able to write science articles, even if we aren't scientists! I'm sure I'm not the only one who is leaving tonight's chat with half a dozen fun ideas I want to explore. Thank you again!

Ana: I had a great time tonight. Good luck to all with your writing and remember: Keep an eye on science, it's full of surprises!!! Good night!

Moderator: Good night! Do come back in two weeks for our next interview in the ICL chat room. Happy writing!

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