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Since I'm on a science bender this week, I thought this would be a great opportunity to introduce one of the Western PA SCBWI's brightest lights-- Dr. Fred Bortz.

I became acquainted with Dr. Fred's work when our conference chair celebrated his winning the 2002 American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award for young readers (for his work, "Techno-Matter: The Materials Behind the Marvels"). Techno-Matter was also named to the LA 100 and the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age, and was designated best grade 7-12 science book of the year by the Society of School Librarians International.

I went on to read some of his books, and was impressed by his enthusiasm and diverse knowledge, and especially, for his ability to relate complex ideas in simple terms. His books make the fascinating worlds of physics, astronomy and engineering accessible to everyone. If I'd had his books as a kid, I might have gone into the sciences myself. But I'm happy to have them now(and so are my kids)!

Fred addresses universally popular topics, like the existence of life on other worlds, great catastrophes, and how things work.


His latest book explores the emerging field of Astrobiology (the study of possible life on other worlds) from its diverse roots in mythology and astrology, modern astronomical observations of other planets within our solar system, the SETI program, and observation of the flexibility of living organisms (resistance to freezing injury in hibernating creatures and frozen transplant organs, bacteria that live in extreme environments, etc). His user-friendly descriptions keep readers intrigued with the topic, and hint at the fascinating landscape of ideas that a little more reading on each subject could provide.

Dr Fred discusses these issues in school visits, as well-- his current presentations are:

Our Next Planet: Why, When, and How People Will Settle Another World

and (coming soon!)
The Truth About Space Aliens

(I think my kids would love that one!)

I asked Dr. Fred a few questions about his work.

So, I'm curious-- what's with the bowtie?

I didn't wear bowties until my friend designed the logo and then the person who drew my caricature in Dr. Fred's Weather Watch decided I needed one. I decided at that point that I would learn to tie a bowtie--it's more scientific to tie it yourself.


Great Logo--love the question marks and exclamation points!

It illustrates that questions are central to science, though the "wow!" factor is always important.

What was it like to win the AIP award for Techno Matter?

The prize was very nice ($3000, an inscribed Windsor Chair, and a trip to Boise to accept the certificate--coincidentally at a time I was already planning to visit Idaho Falls for a major talk).

What was your favorite experience researching your books?
What could be better than an expense paid research trip to Hawaii's Big Island and a world-class astronomical observatory on Mauna Kea?"



Beyond Jupiter: The Story of Planetary Astronomer Heidi Hammel.

Readers can discover a lot about Heidi and my research in writing the book (a Hawaiian travelogue that includes a drive around the coast of the "Big Island" to Volcanoes National Park and then up Mauna Kea to live with the scientists and spend three nights working in a magnificent observatory at the peak. ) at my website.



Heidi's life story is as remarkable as her scientific one. She met and overcame numerous personal and professional challenges, and is flourishing in mid-career at age 48 (next month). Her biography is one of ten in the "Womens Adventures in Science" series, discussed in detail at http://www.iwaswondering.org ("was" = women's adventures in science)

That sounds like a fascinating story. I loved the photoessay of this trip on your site-- it really makes me feel like I'm there with you observing the research (and the youtube song about Mauna Kea scientists was great!)

I understand you also do reviews of science books for adults?
Yes--I review popular science books for adults for a number of major newspapers, and I have an archive of my reviews (plus a few guest reviews) at The Science Shelf (http://www.scienceshelf.com).
My latest was "What Bugged the Dinosaurs? Insects, Disease, and Death in the Cretaceous" by George Poinar Jr. and Roberta Poinar, featured on the Health and Science page of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

I will definitely be checking that out-- I'm always looking for good science books.
Is there any kind of a mailing list I could use so I don't miss anything?
I send updates to Science Shelf subscribers every 4-6 weeks.
You can find an e-mail link to subscribe on most pages of the site.


Want to learn more about Dr. Fred's work? Visit his website!
There's a lot to learn-- more than I can squeeze into a single blog entry.
You can find a complete list of his books here.

Happy Exploring!
:D

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Gravity is a theory. And it's a lot more complicated that "If you drop it, it will fall," as it turns out.
Here's an illo dedicated to all the people who have made understanding gravity part of their life's work over the centuries.

And here are a few links for anyone who'd like to learn more about
what we already know, and where we might be headed
in our understanding of that which keeps us grounded.

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On to the fourth interview of many more to come of some really great Echelon authors.

This week's interviewee is romance author, Anne Carter, who also writes young adult fiction as Pam Ripling.

Point Surrender is Anne's latest paranormal romance from Echelon Press and is available at (http://www.amazon.com/Point-Surrende... ) in paperback or via e-book from (http://www.bebo.com/Link.jsp?Url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fictionwise.com%2FeBooks%2FeBook46043.htm%3Fcached ).

Anne is also the author of StarCrossed Lovers, and A Hero's Promise, and coming soon, the third installment of the Starcrossed series, The Gypsy in Me. Check out as well, Anne's e-book novellas Starfire and When Harry met Soli.

As Pam Ripling, coming soon is her new young adult novel, Locker Shocker, from Echelon Press.

Check out Anne/Pam's website at ( http://www.bebo.com/Link.jsp?Url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beaconstreetbooks.com%2F ) for more information about all her novels!

I am very excited to welcome Anne/Pam to my blog!

Check out our interview below!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and the genre you write.

Answer:
I am a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt; I'm a bookkeeper, a photographer, an ordained celebrant; a Virgo, a procrastinator, a lover of Mexican food and chocolate. I am a PTA Treasurer, a driver, a movie nut. Oh, yeah, and I am a published author.

I started writing in what they now call middle school, and got serious about it as an adult. My first publishing credit was for a poem in a magazine, then a short story in Thema. I wrote a lot of short, literary stories, then started on a romance which ultimately became a novel and then a qualified tome. I was published electronically at first, then in print-on-demand, and eventually, small press trade paperback.

2. Did you choose your present genre; or did the genre choose you?

Answer:
I was chosen, I suppose. I have never given it much thought, which means I probably didn't do any choosing.

3. Have you always wanted to write?

Answer:
In a word, yes. More like, needed to write.

4. What would be a typical day for you, as a day in the life of a writer?

Answer:
There are no typical days in my life. In an ideal world, I would be like Nora Roberts, I'd get up, grab a cuppa joe, sit down and write until mid day, get up, stretch, take a walk in the garden or play with my lovey-dovey Golden Sandie. Then I'd sit back down and write until dinner time.As it is, I sit down late at night after all the chores are done, and "steal" a precious hour or so; I sneak away from accounting long enough to pen a chapter midday; I clear the calendar for a hookie day when I am hot on a story. It is, sadly, hit-and-miss.

5. Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

Answer:
Don't know. They just arrive fully formed in my head. But I will say that I have always been the observant type; I am always watching people, imagining what they are about. I am always looking at the details of the setting I am in. I just returned from 6 days in London, and my brain was hurting from all the input I had to store away. I started thinking right away about how I could steer my WIP into Great Britain for a scene or two...

6. Are any of your characters based on real people?

Answer:
Yes-ish. Like many authors, I often pick a public figure or celebrity to be the base model for my character, then alter them as I go along. In the end they may not really resemble the model figure, but something entirely different as they seem to "grow" their own personality.In STARCROSSED HEARTS, one of my heroes was based on a young Paul Newman. My heroine started off as my favorite actress, Jane Seymour. I find when I don't start with a known, I have more trouble developing the character. Whom I choose might depend on who I've recently become familiar with.

In POINT SURRENDER, my hero, Case McKenna, would have been played by Lord of the Rings medieval hunk, Viggo Mortenson.

7. If you could be any one of your characters, which one would you be, and why?

Answer:
Amy Winslow in POINT SURRENDER, because I am already in love with Case McKenna. (see above!) LOL. Plus the fact that she gets to live in a lighthouse. What could be more fun?

8. Do you do research for your novels? What was the most interesting person, place or thing you have researched?

Answer:
Speaking of lighthouses... I was privileged to stay in a lighthouse while penning the last few chapters of POINT SURRENDER. Talk about inspiration! And yes, I do lots of research. It's part of the fun. I learn a lot, I want my readers to learn, too, without knowing they are being taught. My WIP, CAPE SEDUCTION, takes place in both 2008 and 1948. The research for this book is really involving and very interesting. 1948 was a fascinating time in California.

9. Have you ever had writer’s block? If yes, what have you done to overcome it?

Answer:
Writer's Block? What's that? Okay, once or twice I've been stymied (is that the word?) But I've come to realize that if it happens, to me, it's usually because my story has taken the wrong turn. I try to go back to where that happened and go in a different direction.

10. Do you have any advice for the young writer just starting out?

Answer:
As a matter of fact, yes. Aside from the usual advice, such as Read! Read! Read! and Write! Write! Write!, I have to also say, start working on promotion early. Name recognition. Even if you are unpublished, start building a readership in advance. This is something I wish I'd done. There are so many places on-line to get your name out there, for free, it's a shame to not utilize them. Blogs, reviews, articles, comments, websites, etc. I've been preaching this to new Echelon teen author Alyssa Montgomery.

11. And just for fun, if you could be a Transformer, which would you be? An Autobot (the good bots) or a Decepticon (the evil bots)? =D

Answer:
I would be an Autobot. I would be a Mazda Miata that turns into a giant photographer taking pictures of all the action... while writing down notes at the same time...

Thanks, K.C., for a terrific interview!

Thank you so much, Anne, and Pam too ! =D

Stay tuned! And check back each week for a new interview!

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Maybe someday, ethical vampires can be vegetarians.

And

Wouldn't it be cool to design your own stained glass, self lighting wall in a dark hallway?
Without spending a fortune on electric bills?

And

Nothing in life is ever really junk, it seems.
I love this stuff. Wheels within wheels...
Can't wait to see what the CERN machine has to say about our world.

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