Publishers are reluctant to take on an author who is not a "recognized authority" in whatever field she's chosen to write about. This is understandable from a marketing point of view. However, from my point of view, not being an expert has a clear advantage: I approach the task with the same uninitiated mind as my readers. If I come across material that's difficult to understand, I assume it will difficult for readers to understand, so I knock myself out to make it comprehensible. What's more, starting a project as a novice frees me from preconceived notions and the need to uphold a reputation.

In doing research, especially on scientific material, the going can get a little rough. For material that's technically challenging, such as the molecular makeup of triglycerides, I just knuckle down and learn what I need to know. If the experts disagree, such as on the causes of heart disease, research becomes especially time-consuming. In such cases, I lean toward the most persuasive and commonsensical points of view.

In any case, I believe both my books have benefited from my initial naiveté and I'm grateful to my publishers, Beyond Words (The Art of Thank You) and Prometheus (Fat) for daring to take me on.