The Lab Scientist Turned Book and Writing Coach: Paula Diaco’s Next Chapter

For Paula Diaco, it all started in a microbiology lab years ago — an experiment of sorts as she calls it. Clad in a lab coat, bunsen burner on the lab bench in front of her. 

It was there where the thought occurred to her

“Maybe I could add professional writing to my budding career as a scientist.”

Why not? Many scientists are published authors . . . Could I be one, too?” 

This spontaneous reaction sparked a desire to write articles in periodicals that appealed to the scientifically inclined. 

“I never tired of seeing my byline under the article’s title. I learned how to determine if a topic was right for the magazine, how to interview subject-matter experts (the people in my article!), and write to an audience who would read it”, says Paula. 

She then ventured into the world of humanities and then into corporate communication. In the latter role, she was charged with publishing a variety of technical and business documents that supported the company’s chemists.

“I was paid to work there, of course, but the job acted as an internship into the workings of editing, proofreading, and project management of long and short reports, user manuals, and support material. I learned how graphic artists work in conjunction with writers and how to spec. documents for offset printing.”

Her next pivot was into full-time freelance writing. This led to a stint as an educational publisher, a position which allowed her to hone her editing skills. During that time she even pitched them a book for middle-grade students, which was accepted and published.

Today, Paula, a Vermonter, is a book and writing coach for budding authors seeking to get their message out to the world. 

I had the opportunity to chat with Paula in July about her fascinating life journey, including how she developed such a passionate love of books. 

We began our discussion with Paula offering a deeper dive into who she is and what makes her tick. Says Paula: 

“I was born a storyteller, as are all humans, but I recognized my interest in story and by extension, writing, quite young. Playing with words, adjusting them on a page, interlocking their meaning to tell an engaging story—that continues to be pure joy for me.” 

She says that writing, and all of its interconnected pieces like language and linguistics, words and literary pursuits, was encouraged by her family—one that loved and honored language, writing, and books. 

“Unlike math, my nemesis and oh how I wish I could be pals with it, language arts was always my true friend and go-to subject. Still is.” 

She continues: 

“Not surprisingly, I love to read, which empowers my writing, and helps me exit my world for the one that unfolds on the page, and in the reading, I see how powerfully words evoke strong emotions and present the reader with new possibilities” 

In recounting the many years she spent in laboratories as well as her time as a self-employed business owner, Paula had this to offer:

“I always returned to some sort of writing practice. I published articles in magazines, blogged for the company I owned, edited, and managed technical documents for a Fortune 500 company.”

All of this has now culminated in her current work as a teacher, coach, and consultant for business people who feel an incessant tapping on their shoulder to write. 

“That tapping does not go away until you honor the message and lean into action. I know this from a lifetime of putting aside my core interests and talents in writing to pursue something else that looked important, only to be called back, and glad for that invitation to return.” 

Flipping the page of Paula’s life story, I then asked her to share a little about how she developed such a passionate interest in reading and books. Here’s what she had to share: 

“Reading came to me at an age-appropriate time. I was not an early reader, but when I started to read, it didn’t take me long to start devouring books, and I became the proverbial bookworm. My dreamy nature finds books a comfortable home and my years of hearing family stories pull me in. Humans are storytelling creatures, and I am a willing participant. More than anything, I love to read, write, and share stories.” 

In terms of the 2-3 most compelling books she’s read this year, Paula notes: 

“One of the most compelling was Louise Erdrich’s dystopian novel, Future Home of the Living God.I could not have found a more eerie story to read during a pandemic. It’s not about a viral pandemic, although we don’t actually know what turned the world on its head, but we do learn that some sort of apocalypse took place and reality has shifted, and not for the better.”

Curious, I then inquired about whether the recent racial protests have in any way altered the course of her reading interests: 

“This is where I get to out myself—I have not been a reader of Black and POC authors, with the exception of Erdrich and Sherman Alexie. So, in the midst of a pandemic and huge civil unrest, I faced my great ignorance and took the time, which I had a lot of earlier in 2020, and listened to Black people. I finally understood the connection between the patriarchy and systemic racism as well as the conditions under which Black people live each and every day.” 

She continues: 

“I will never know the Black experience, but I can be a better White person by learning how to be an ally and not an antagonist.”

Paula says she borrowed those words from an excellent book she’s reading—Antagonist, Advocates, and Allies: The Wake-Up Call Guide for White Women Who Want to Become Allies with Black Women. In addition, she’s reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.

“I will continue to read books and subscribe to newsletters like Anti-Racism Daily by Nicole Cardoza. White people have a lot of work to do. That includes me.” 

In terms of her favorite places to hole up and read? 

“I’m like a lot of writers who enjoy a local café with great coffee and free wifi. That has become a stereotype, but it’s a real thing. I heard once that Vermont has the highest per capita number of authors of any state, and we hang out at a variety of literary places: Writing events, workshops, readings . . . . and cafes. Writing and coffee go together.”

And her all-time favorite bookstore? 

 “I’d have to say RJ Julia in Madison, CT. It’s a frequent stop for authors on book tours and the store is housed in a beautiful building of connected rooms that encourage you to wander, look, and read. Yes, they have a café, and yup, I paused there to read, and yes, coffee was included.” 

 Now for my next question for Paula: 

Hardback/Paperback, Digital, or Audio Books? 

She launches in: 

“Hardback first, then paperback and I simply cannot get into digital or audio books. I struggle to hold my attention to the digital page when I’m reading for pleasure. When I read books on a tablet, I actually get anxious. It may be because I so love the feel and look of an actual book. That tactile experience is important.” 

Paula admits to reading her clients’ books online but says that’s different because in that case, she’s reading for structure, craft, and story — a process that involves scrolling back and forth to see how the writing relates to one another. 

Favorite author? Now that elicited an interesting response from Paula. 

“It began with Charlotte’s Web, which I read in third grade. The theme of loyalty between two friends and the death of Charlotte upset my young life. I fretted for weeks and remember talking to my mom who explained the cycle of life. I didn’t like that people, or characters, could die. This was a period of reckoning for me and my first experience with the power of a great book.” 

Finally, I inquired about which 1-2 books have had the greatest impact on her life and why? Says Paula: 

“In high school, I read Shakespeare and fell in love with his work. How did this person write such deep and resonating stories in sonnet form? Learning that he invented words and phrases if he couldn’t find language that suited him, blew my mind. Then I found out that we still use many of those words and phrases. . . . and they sound both modern and sometimes badass—The world is my oyster; method in his madness; ministering angel—and the list goes on.” 

She concludes :

“When you love something so much, like writing in all of the ways it shows up, and you learn more about it from true experts, you are deeply nourished by that education. Books offer the reader so many things—too many to list here. They are essential tools for learning even as they entertain us or move us to tears.”