Popular Fiction Writing
|
Responses from Writer Canyon Wren
|
| How did you get interested? |
I had a fifth grade teacher who taught earth
sciences superbly and took us
rock hounding, as did a favorite uncle. I always liked
being outdoors, making observations. On the strength of these experiences, when I got
to college, I signed up for freshman geology to get my science requirement
out of the way. I got lucky and had some great teachers who decided to make
a geologist out of me in spite of, or perhaps because of, my rebellious attitudes.
|
| What types of jobs have
you held? |
Both public and private sector, and teaching.
In the public sector, pure research for the federal government (USGS).
Private sector, oil and gas and then environmental geology. Teaching,
short courses and now college level. |
| What started you down your
current career path? |
The path of least resistance, at least until
I started adding the writing. That may sound like a chickenhearted way to
go, but in fact it made sense to do what I was good at and greatly enjoyed
(geology) while I developed the discipline and maturity necessary to do
something as demanding as an art form (writing). Happily, I get to combine
the two. |
| What are the positives and
negatives of your job? |
Let's talk about writing about geology, which
is my primary professional push just now. The best parts are getting to do
what I love and getting to support the professional community and the
world it serves. The negative is that inventing a new career path can be
heavy work. There have been a great many times when I've nearly quit, but
each time I found myself laughing at myself. |
| What information would you
give to someone just starting in your area of interest?
|
First, geology as a whole: this is a
discipline that will demand a lot of you, but can teach you even more, and
not just about the world, but about yourself. Second, writing about
geology: you have to love it or it's a damned silly thing to be doing with
yourself; but if you love it, it's more than a job, it's a life. |
| |
|
| |
|
Return to Careers in Science