Just saw this and thought it might be useful to someone:

'‘SciTalk’ is a website and database of scientists who are keen to meet with and talk to fiction writers, whether poets, playwrights or novelists. You, as a fiction-writer, will have the opportunity to visit the labs and workplaces of the scientist with whom you make contact – to see how and where ‘science’ is done, who does it, and why; to look at images, learn the jargon; to meet other members of the research group; to talk, to listen and generally to exchange views.

So, if you are a fiction-writer in search of characters or inspiration, go to www.scitalk.org.uk, and browse. You will be surprised – and probably entertained – by the new world that opens up to you.'

That looks great, Anna. Thanks!
Sue

Fantastic site. What a brilliant initiative. I've already identified a potential victim...

Thanks, Anna.

Dee

Willing victim presumably...! hope it's good stuff.

Thank you, Anna. What an interesting site - and so unexpected.

While I was reading, the screen began to change with whirling clouds and multi-coloured flashes of fierce intensity. A face appeared. The speaker had a bulbous green head, extra large but cruel eyes and a mouth full of shark-like teeth and... OH SHUT UP, LEN!!!

Good site. It would be interesting to learn if any of our Sci-fi writers make contact.

Thanks for this - I've been wondering how on earth to find anyone serious to talk to me about global warming and rising sea levels when I'm just writing a children's book - I'll give them a whirl!

all best
Veronica

Yes! I've had a reply from him already and he sounds very keen to get involved… gosh! I have my very own neurothingyamist… thanks Anna.

Dee

Just what I need Anna, superb site. Thanks
Sharon

Stimulating stuff.

I'm redrafting a novel which has a sub-theme about genetic manipulation and sport, and this is dramatically useful. All my research has been from New Scientist and the press but this offers brilliant insights.

But even more fascinating, I've just seen my next-door neighbour listed among the scientists. He's an expert on why some people are left-handed. Which gives me something new to chat about with him.

Robin

I was amused to find Susan Greenfield quoted on Scitalk, saying that scientists were usually portrayed as evil-doers bent on world domination, male, typically balding and sartorially challenged.

Sure it's a stereotype, but such a FUN one! Who didn't love the evil physicist villain of 'Angels and Demons'?

I'm a former research scientist myself so I know these people rather well.

Greenfield herself (and two other female Power Scientists I know) inspired a character in my own techno-thriller (universally rejected sadly, so I'm gonna have to do a rewrite and try again).

It was fun writing a fantastically dressed super-powerful, millionairess woman scientist who was fancied by most of the guys who worked for her. What really made it fun was knowing that I wasn't even stretching the truth. Much.

But was she an evil villainess bent on world domination?

OF COURSE! Them's the rules of the genre! Ian McEwan can try to write seriouly about scientists, but pulp fiction should stick to jazzing up the truth and making them into knife-edge-walking heroes and villains.

Truth is, science requires hard work, deep concentration, patience, lots of reading, yet more patience and perserverance. A world of stories of near misses and failure and very minor success.

But the world doesn't really want to read about anything but the big success stories, the major breakthroughs.

Having said that, I tried writing a sitcom set in a research lab, called 'Whitecoats'. The BBC rejected it. Bah!

Most of my scientist friends loved it though. It made them laugh and brought back memories. You can read it on my WriteWords upload thingy.

Ms Greenfield is an interesting character. She went to my old college and read Classics for her first degree. Fustian male scientists like to use her interest in clothes and talent for publicity as a stick to beat her with, but I think that anyone who can make science more popular with young people, which I'm sure she has done, should be supported.

Adele.