Brian,

While I have writing to do, I can't help but ponder about your silly words and notions. Unfortunately, your latest creation lingers in my mind. I must address your words:

"When all that matters is ratings and hype, facts are among the first things thrown out the window."

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. When I wrote the book, "The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes," "ratings and hype" were not on my mind at all. I was overwhelmed with "facts," during the Indian Ocean quake-tsunami disaster, the aftershock in March, the rash of CA quakes in June, and the SoCA earthquake swarm in August. (BTW: I predicted the 5.1 that hit on Sept. 1. It's in the book; posted on Berkland's site.) Not to forget all of the "facts" that I had to painstakingly research and understand to write about Berkland's life's work, earthquake predictions and accurate hits.

As I tell all wannabe writers, perhaps like you, that you must write from the heart--you don't write for the money. And that is what I did when I created the Berkland book.

Right now I'm looking at a recently published article entitled, "Fascinated by Earthquakes." It's about me, my life living on shaky ground. Here, let me cite a passage for you: "Since I was a teenager with an overactive imagination, my fear of tremors manifested into an earthquake phobia. I shared this fear factor with my wood shop teacher in high school. He listened. He laughed. He tagged me 'Earthquake Annie.' But his joking attitude didn't stop my serious anxieties and interest in the worldwide phenomenon."

My dear Brian, that was more than 30 years ago. Do you actually believe that a science editor at a newspaper in Chicago, New York, or even Seattle is going to have more passion, drive and knowledge to share intriguing "facts" about Jim Berkland (who I have known and have been writing about in national publications for more than 20 years) and present-day earthquake prediction than I do? If so, you're sadly mistaken.

Callie