How’s everyone’s week been? I had a bit of a break from writing this week, having completed the editorial for an energy sector magazine I produce with my first ever employer, White Light Media. Lovely to be back working with the talented team that gave me my first job, fresh out of Uni!

January was a bit of a writing marathon, so it’s a refreshing change of pace to welcome some new projects, mostly in the business development space.

That said, the highlight of my week was undoubtedly an interview with a microbiologist, who told me he fell in love with the bacteria Streptomyces during his student years. I gave it a quick Google, and can’t say I blame him. This clever little bacteria is responsible for 70% of the antibiotics that make up modern medicine. So she’s a pretty good catch.

It turns out that antibiotic development is one of the toughest tasks in science, due to issues around funding and the constant challenge of antibiotic resistance. This microbiologist saw an opportunity to collaborate with one of his oldest friends and colleagues, to seek new antibiotic microbes in the unique environment of spa town brine.

This interview makes up the second instalment in a new series I’m writing for Mensa newsletter, on behalf of the talented team at Think Publishing. The series debut featured a chemist who is investigating the mechanisms through which early molecules stabilised to form life on Earth. I’m only two articles in but already I love this commission.

I’ve left my comfort zone behind.

Streptomyces would never have turned my head at school – she’s too sciencey. My comfort zone has always been the arts, and anything about people and how we relate to each other. The reason and logic of subjects like maths and science provoke the rebel in me. But many (many!) years on, I find I get the most satisfaction out of the really tough subjects. One of my oldest clients is an international organisation of spine surgeons, and writing their technical blogs gives me a great mental workout. I think the trick is to have a curious mind.

My job as a writer isn’t to answer; it’s to explore.

That means finding people who are experts in their field and being prepared to ask all the questions – even the obvious, dumb ones – and to really listen to the answers. Then, to find the golden thread that will make people want to start reading, and keep reading.

In many ways, science is not so different. Academic research is all about wondering, speculating and questioning, trying to make sense of a chaotic world.

And speaking of chaos, February is looking pretty hectic. I have three business trips away and one new project in web copywriting, so there’s plenty to get stuck into. Next week I’m heading off to beautiful Ardnamurchan for a community engagement session. I’ve never been down that neck of the woods, and I work from home, so I’m excited to get out of the office for a while and meet some new people.

More on that to follow! Meantime have a great weekend.