Ask the Author: Emma Byrne
Answered Questions (8)
Emma Byrne
Thank you for the question! I'm currently working on my second book, this time about the way that children's brains change throughout the first two decades of life
Emma Byrne
I think it was the chimpanzee research. Not just that they swear, but that they're so human-like in so many ways. In fact that feels quite anthropocentric. Empathy isn't just a human trait. Nor are frustration, shame, joking, lying, grieving, or loving. I'm all for classing chimpanzees as an intelligent creature and ending their use in any research beyond behavioural work done in the most highly scrutinised fashion.
Emma Byrne
We knew how he treated women, minorities, anyone with less power than him. We elected him anyway.
Emma Byrne
I'll read an interesting study and think "wow - i would never have thought of testing that!" Then I'll go and look for other studies in the same topic area, start chatting with friends, and if they start getting excited too I know I'm onto something.
Emma Byrne
The proposal for book two, on the psychology and neuroscience of time perception. I'm at the "devour every study" stage of research so there's some way to go!
Emma Byrne
Don't write anything you're not at least initially passionate about. It's going to be long, arduous, lonely work and sometimes you will hate your subject matter. At least start where you're in love.
Emma Byrne
An overwhelming sense of obligation: my family makes sure that there is time for me to write, so I don't want to squander that time.
My favourite unsticking trick is to use the Pomodoro technique: short, focused bursts of unstructured writing on whichever topic I'm stuck on.
Screw wordcounts, just keep trying, failing, and failing better.
My favourite unsticking trick is to use the Pomodoro technique: short, focused bursts of unstructured writing on whichever topic I'm stuck on.
Screw wordcounts, just keep trying, failing, and failing better.
Emma Byrne
I love two things in equal measure: getting excited while finding something out, and seeing other people get excited when I tell them about it.
Being a writer can be lonely at times, but I imagine the conversations that my books will (hopefully) spark - those "did you know"moments in the pub or at the office - and I realise how lucky I am!
Being a writer can be lonely at times, but I imagine the conversations that my books will (hopefully) spark - those "did you know"moments in the pub or at the office - and I realise how lucky I am!
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