Lynne McTaggart has an extensive resume including investigative journalist, author and public speaker. She has appeared on Oprah and Deepak Chopra's shows among others to discuss her science-based discoveries in the worlds of science, spirtuality and health.
The Bond is her latest book. To find out more please visit lynnemctaggart.com or thebond.net
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I loved to read – very early – and also to write. I remember my second grade teacher telling my parents that I was talented at telling stories.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote poems and stories from the time I could write sentences. In fifth grade I wrote an ongoing serial about good and bad witches that I presented to the class in installments.
How long have you been writing?
Professionally (as in making money from it) since I was 22. I’ve only been employed as an editor for six of the 38 years I’ve been writing.
When did you first know you could be a writer?
Not until I was in my early 20s. I went through a period during my university days when I wasn’t much good at essay writing.
What inspires you to write and why?
I love writing about the new science and how it changes our view of the world.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
Narrative non-fiction – non-fiction that reads like fiction.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I began my career as a journalist and investigative reporter. When researching my second magazine article I stumbled onto a major international baby selling ring after posing as an unwed mother and then a prospective adoptive parent. The story resulted in a major indictment of the parties involved, and I was called to Congress to testify about these kinds of questionable adoption practices. The article also won a prize. I then expanded the work, exposed a number of other lawyers involved in these kinds of questionable set-ups and expanded my research into book, called The Baby Brokers.
Who or what influenced your writing once you began?
Twentieth century writers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf, but also so-called ‘new journalists’ – Norman Mailer, Joan Didion, Hunter Thompson, Truman Capote – who wrote non-fiction using fictional techniques. My heroes in journalism were obviously people like Woodward and Bernstein. I still believe strongly in the responsibility of the press as a fourth estate – a watchdog for the public interest. The recent scandal concerning News International shows the extent to which this historical role for the press has deteriorated.
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