Mary Roach Makes Science Writing Crazy Fun

   

Mary Roach is one of my favorite non-fiction writers working today. She has written several books that dive into the weirdness of science topics like dead bodies, sex, and digestion.

But how does she use her curiosity to write a full-fledged book, especially when she doesn’t have a background on the subject?

This week, Mary joins the pod and talks about the firsthand experiences and research that goes into her books, especially in her book Packing for Mars and its adaptation Packing for Mars for Kids. She touches on how she comes up with book-worthy ideas to explore and why she approaches nonfiction with a distinctive, humor-filled voice. Plus, she discusses some of the questions you may have about space exploration, like puking in your spacesuit, whether people bathe in space, and what it feels like to be in zero gravity.

She said it:

[10:34-10:56] “To me, this job is this magic key that lets you step into all these worlds that otherwise you wouldn’t really have any cause or way to step into. Just being a reporter, author, writer—whatever you want to call me—science writer, is this wonderful access pass.”

[20:30-20:45] “I’m very aware that I’m not the expert. The people that I’m talking to are the experts and I’m often sort of struggling to keep up with the science because I don’t have a background [in science]. But sometimes that’s where the humor [in my writing] comes from.” 

[52:15-52:31] “I [write myself in the story] as a way to kind of spice up something that would otherwise be just sort of newsy. Nothing wrong with straight news, nothing wrong with straight reporting, but if it feels a little flat. I want to find a way into [the story].”

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