Authors in Medicine
You all know how much I love talking about creativity in medicine. I guess it’s why I write for a creative medical production company…still, this piece has been one I’ve been itching to write! Over the past few years, ND MD productions has had the pleasure of meeting incredible people across all facets of healthcare and sharing their stories with you. Today, we go back to a handful of those we’ve met and interview them not about their place in healthcare, but rather about their success as authors! Authors in medicine! These individuals have found a way to balance their lives inside and outside of medicine, and somehow found the time to publish a book or two along the way! Join me as we ask these author docs…doc authors….dauthors? Eh, I’ll come up with something better later. Join me in welcoming these authors back to ND MD as they share a bit of insight into their writing inspiration, struggles, and successes!
Wesley Waters - The Virus that Came to Town
Where did the idea for your book come from?
“The idea for the book was centered around the uncertainty that we experienced early on in this pandemic. The virus was unknown to the public, and public health practices like mask-wearing and social distancing were unknown to the public. I wanted to create something that would educate people and prepare them for the current pandemic, but also any future pandemics. We all can remember the children’s books we read growing up, so I thought, what better way to impact future generations than to write a children’s book educating people on public health practices during a pandemic!”
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
“From inception of the idea to having a book in my hands took a little over one year and 2 months. I ordered the first round of books from the printer at the same time that the Suez canal got blocked and global trade slowed or halted, so that significantly prolonged the arrival of the book but was a fitting metaphor for the great impact that this pandemic has had. I finished the book when I was in the first year of medical school at MCG, and I’ll never forget when the books arrived. I was drained, exhausted, so worn down. I drove home to my apartment to find 20 giant boxes of books sitting outside my apartment. I opened a box, held the book, and wept. I had put in countless of hours, many many late nights, so many things going on behind the scenes to make this a reality and then it finally arrived.”
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
“The writing process was very structured. For children’s books, visuals are so important, so I created the entire manuscript in PowerPoint. I had the words that I wanted for each page, with a very clear message of steps to take to “kick the virus out of town,” and clip art or stock images from the web sort of like inspiration boards for each page. I then found a local Birmingham illustrator (I began writing the book when I still lived in Birmingham, the summer before medical school). The illustrator and I collaborated on page layout, image styles, and flow. I also recruited friends and family of all backgrounds to help me with the wording and edits for the book. I wanted it to be understandable to everyone at all levels!”
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
“The biggest roadblock was fundraising and trying to balance my own schedule in medical school. I had to fundraise to pay for the printing. It was expensive and I had many rounds of Facebook and Instagram ads, friends, family, coworkers, people I grew up with and hadn’t seen for years, so many people in my life that came together to fund this project and make it a reality. Additionally, balancing my schedule with medical school was very challenging. Medical school offers very little free time, and the free time you get tends to be used for relaxation and sleep. I was frequently using the time I had off as my administrative time for the book. Whether it was emailing or calling the illustrator, working with the publishing company, editing and formatting the final project, facetiming people to work through edits. I spent a lot of my “free time” on this project. The main thing that kept me going was just knowing that this book had the potential to make a huge impact on people’s lives for the future. The idea was bigger than myself or my exhaustion and that is what kept me going.”
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
“I chose self-publishing because I could get the book out faster than if I went through a publisher and agent, I could write and design the book exactly like I wanted to, without the initiatives of a publisher controlling the work. I wanted to get the book out there as soon as possible for the current pandemic, and get it in the hands of people for the future! I worked with a company called print ninja, based in the US, and prints the books in China. They were incredible, very responsive, and user-friendly. This past year I looked into publishing through a publishing house and had some phone calls with a few authors. They spoke of a process that took years, involved less creative freedom, and was a full-time job. Ultimately, I did not want to wait years for this message to get out! Maybe for the next book.”
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
“The community has loved the book. The book has now sold in 3 different countries and 20 different states within the US. NDMD was kind enough to host me on the podcast to share the story, 3 different local Augusta news channels did a story on me and the book, and I had the opportunity to read the book to multiple schools in Augusta where over 200 students heard the story. Multiple schools purchased the book for their own libraries. Multiple doctors and healthcare staff that I worked with in Augusta purchased the book, and a lot of people purchased multiple copies for their whole family! Many people were surprised that I wrote a book, and it is still a very fun conversation starter today. Closer to home, all my nieces and nephews have a copy of the book and I get a text every week or so from a family member when their kid is begging to read my book.”
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
“Quite literally every single step of the process was new for me. When I began this journey, I was as naive as you can possibly imagine. I had to research how to write a children’s book, how to find an illustrator, how to get it published…the list goes on. If there was a step in the process, I was new to it and trying my best to figure it out. I was lucky enough to have many helpful mentors who had written books to lean on and ask questions. I am a big proponent of the idea, “Go make mistakes.” I have this mantra typed out on a piece of paper and hanging on my wall by my front door as a reminder when I leave my house. We learn so much through trying new things and making so many mistakes along the way. I have spoken to so many people who want to try something new, who want to write books, who want to write songs, try stand-up comedy, the list goes on. Often times I hear the phrase, “I wouldn’t know where to start, I would be awful, I would mess up.” To which I reply, “Perfect, and you will learn at least one thing along the way.” We should pursue new things and make a mess of it along the way so that we can always learn and go through this life!”
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
“I would say do it! Get those creative juices flowing, try new things, learn new things, and stretch yourself. Whether it’s public health genre or sci-fi fantasy, bring your story to life. You can not go wrong by adding more art and creativity to this world.”
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
“I am contemplating possible children’s book series, to create maybe a 3 book set of health initiatives for children to help provide clarity and empowerment to children in uncertainty. I’ve also toyed with the idea of other styles of books. Poetry, science fiction, maybe a nonfiction about medical school. I have a few outlines and ideas written out.”
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
“I want readers to take away empowerment from my book. I want them to feel confident that they can make a difference and be prepared for future possible pandemics, and know that they can work with their communities to make a difference.”
Dr. Ben Schmidt - The Night Before Medical School
Where did the idea for your book come from?
“I have always thought that a lot of medical terms sound like settings or characters from a fantasy story. Names for bacteria, anatomical structures, and diseases often sound like they're straight out of a Lord of the Rings knock-off sequel. I thought it would be fun to try and make a fantasy story full of medical terms.”
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
“I originally wrote it as a short video and then adapted that script into a book format. Since it's a short children's book, it was more free form.”
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
“It honestly didn't take long to write once I picked out all of the medical terms I would use as characters and settings and object within the story. I probably spent a few hours writing the bulk of it and then made minor edits after that. The illustrating was the big time commitment but I worked with an illustrator for that part.”
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
“I second guessed myself a lot on how to make it accessible for as many readers as possible. Getting input from friends and family was helpful and led to some big improvements like the glossary of terms at the end of the book.”
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
“I used Amazon's KDP interface to self-publish. It was simple, free, and allowed me to have complete control over my story and illustrations.”
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
“The community response has been great! It's been fun to hear from healthcare professionals both in person and on social media who enjoy the book and even read it to their own children.”
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
“I had no idea how the timeline and compensation worked for a traditionally published book. That's part of why I chose to self-publish. Publishing with a company takes a long time!”
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
“While writing a book is challenging, publishing the book was much easier than I expected with the available self-publishing options. Don't be afraid to give it a try!”
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
“Someday I want to write a book about my medical school, residency, and fellowship experiences. I think it would be fun to try and update The House of God with a millennial's experience.”
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
“Medicine and medical terminology are a lot of fun for all ages!”
Dr. Richard Brown - The Real Beauty Bible
Where did the idea for your book come from?
“I always wanted to write a book. When the opportunity was right, I decided I wanted to write something that would help keep future plastic surgery patients safe from one, choosing the wrong surgeon, and two would educate them about the entire process of having a procedure. I wanted people to basically feel like they had a consult and got all they needed when they read the book.”
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
“It took about a year to complete and it felt great. Even though I had a ghostwriter I was up late editing chapters. After many many late-night calls and editing sessions, It felt so good when I finally finished.”
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
“I first created an outline to structure all of my ideas, but I actually had help from a ghostwriter. With my schedule with patients, it was difficult to find the time to write in the way I’d love to. So, I decided to organize all of my ideas first, get the book together best I could, then work with a ghostwriter to get the manuscript to completion. We had over 10 hours of conversation about everything the book needed to cover. After she would write, I would edit, and back and forth we went until the book came together.”
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
“The hardest part was actually coming up with the title, believe it or not. Something gripping that would both intrigue readers and give an idea of what they could gain from the book.”
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
“I published via Advantage Media, a media production company based out of Charleston, SC. They were incredible to work with, offering top-down services that really helped me focus on the book and its message.”
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
“Many have really liked it. It’s just educational in nature. I give one to every patient as a new patient gift, and they’ve told me they learned a ton that they had never thought about prior to surgery.”
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
“I learned you have to pick and choose your battles. There is no way I could have done this on my own in a timely manner, so I’m incredibly thankful to the ghostwriter and the help of Advantage Media to help make this vision a reality.”
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
“Go for it! Definitely decide if you are going to hire someone to help make it happen or if you are going to take years to write your book. I feel like the way I did it kept my voice present while affording me the time to continue my work as a full-time physician. The ghostwriter did an incredible job at using my voice, and when I read it, it felt like me 100%.”
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
“I have considered that. Not sure what it would be, but I could see myself doing something entirely different. Maybe I could write about my journey to medicine and include a little motivational content.”
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
“Do your research. Never go cheap when it comes to your body. For some reason, people feel the need to shop for the cheapest procedure for plastic surgery. You would never shop for the cheapest heart surgeon. Make a good choice. Your life depends on it.”
Kojo Sarfo, DNP - You Already Won
Where did the idea for your book come from?
The idea for, "You Already Won" came by listening to and being inspired by other incredible individuals who have published their stories. I realized that I was at a point where I was ending a chapter in my life and about to enter the next, so I wanted to share my story thus far with the world
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
It took me about 10 months to write the book. I did the bulk of the writing during my last semester at Augusta University, then I spent the time after that tightening up the manuscript and going over the details. When I knew the book was done, it was the best feeling in the world! Being able to publish this book boosted my confidence and allowed me to delve deeper into social media.
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
My writing process was definitely freeform. I put all my thoughts down and organized it as I went on.
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
Yes, I faced many roadblocks during the writing process. One major roadblock was juggling a balance between school, preparing for boards, and doing my best to spend time with family. Exercising was very helpful in allowing me to push past my roadblocks, as it gave me a chance to be present in the moment, and to just relax.
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
I self-published my book because I didn't want to wait around to see if anybody would believe in this script. So I just decided to go ahead and put it out there.
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
The community response has been incredible, both within healthcare, and even outside of it. I don't think people in the field knew that I was creative prior to the release. Even now, a lot of people do not know that I'm creative, but I'm still grateful for their support and attention.
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
I've learned that the most important thing to do is to simply start. Whether it's in the form of a video, or a few paragraphs written down, all that matters is that it's important to start.
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
I would definitely encourage it and suggest that they take the simplest path to getting the book done. Once you've completed your book, it's going to be a major confidence booster, which will help you in practice.
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
Yes, I've recently completed work on my second book, "Feeling Good" which is a mental health workbook releasing on December 6, 2022. It's available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
I would like readers to know that your struggles do not define you. You can always make it past anything that you're going through.
Candicee Childs, MPH - Lemons, Lemonade, and the Lemonade Stand
Where did the idea for your book come from?
“I first came up with the idea of writing this book during my last year of graduate school while I was waiting to hear back from the medical schools I interviewed at. I was thinking to myself about how arduous the process was and that I wish I had a story to read that would encourage me. Coming from a Christian background, I was hoping to find a story that would encourage me to keep the faith in this pursuit but I never found a book that could help encourage me in that way. That's when I figured, I should write my own story.
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
“Almost two years! This was mostly because I had just started medical school and needed time to focus on my studies. Once the summer came after my first year ended, I finished writing the book. When I was finally done, I felt incredible! I felt accomplished, thankful, and simply hopeful that someone out there would be inspired by my story. I felt blessed that I could finish this process and see it all the way through.”
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
“I started with my table of contents, which was essentially my outline. From there, I filled in the blanks and wrote according to my outline. It was easier and more linear, knowing that my thoughts were organized.”
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
“My biggest roadblock was revising and editing. By the time I was finished and ready to publish, my book had 14 different versions. It was not due to grammatical mistakes but changes I felt needed to be made. It was going to showcase my identity as a writer and spending time to make necessary edits was vital to its success. It delayed my original publishing date, but in the grand scheme of things, that was perfectly fine! I realized that this book was going to have my name on it so I wanted it to be something I could be proud of.“
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
“Self-publishing was easier, less expensive, and allowed me to keep all of my royalties/rights. I would love to work with a publishing company in the future, but I wanted to start with something that could help me publish it while I was in medical school. Finding a literary agent can be challenging and it may take months for someone to accept your manuscript if they ever do. “
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
“I have had a great response. Most people tend to say the same thing along the lines of, "Your voice as a writer is extremely genuine and you can tell in your writing that you truly want to help someone." It brings me tremendous joy that people have said that because I put my heart into this book, hoping that someone out there will be encouraged, inspired, and empowered. As far as people knowing my creativity, I believe my family knew but no one else did. This was my way of debuting this talent I feel God blessed me with and there's no greater way of paying homage to that than by publishing this book. “
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
“Great writing takes time, and you have to be focused and away from distractions to write. I want my writing to be engaging and exciting, but with my mind being pulled in so many directions right now, it is better for me to save writing for when I won't have so many things on my plate. When I have more time to dedicate to this, I know my writing and creativity will flourish. I trust the process and will patiently wait until I have time to really focus on my craft in order to write another fantastic book!”
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
“Write when you feel inspired! Even if you only have a title, start somewhere, and stick with it! Like I said before, this book came from the heart. Many stories in this book that I shared were also personal, but I told myself that if my story has the power to uplift someone else, it would be worth it to share. My advice from that is don't be afraid to be authentic! Put yourself out there and don't be afraid of what others may think. There will always be critics and I certainly don't mind listening to them if it can better my writing. However, do not let the idea of fear hold you back from writing your book. Look at the big picture: this book can be a part of your legacy. When I lay my head to rest one day, my book will still be around, and someone can still benefit. I want to leave this world a better place and for me, I can achieve that partly by writing my books. Don't be afraid to pursue anything in this life that can better someone else.”
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
“Absolutely! Right now, I am slowly working my way through my sequel. I'm thinking about calling it "At the Lemonade Stand: My Savory and Riveting Medical School Experience"! It is aimed to target medical students and help them see my story of navigating the challenges that medical school can bring. In the future, I plan to dive into children's fiction books and self-help books. I hope to promote health and mental wellness.”
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
“My greatest hope for my readers was to encourage them to find and live out their purpose in life. I wanted them to understand the value of being authentic and staying true to themselves - to never pursue a career choice, even medicine, for only personal gain or prestige. God has a plan for you; whether that means it involves or does not involve medical school. His plans are greater than your plans. That's easier said than done, but trust me, it is worth it to trust in Him. You can and will do great things!”
And as of this week…one by yours truly!
Tyler Beauchamp - Freeze Frame
Where did the idea for your book come from?
“During the start of quarantine, I was living in a windowless bedroom, and the mind can wander in a setting like that. One day, I remember having a very vivid daydream, and when it finished, there was a good minute or two where I couldn’t tell if it had happened or not. That’s when I had this picture of a shy boy struggling with reality distortion, where his reality was constantly shifting like someone flipping through T.V. channels. I also had spent a considerable amount of time working in a local free mental health clinic, and I thought it would be fascinating to explore the life of a child post-trauma while shedding some light on youth mental illness.”
How long did it take to finish your book? What was the feeling like when you knew it was finally done?
“It took about two years in total. A few months to outline, about a year to get the first draft down, and about six months of revisions back and forth with the editors. It was certainly the light through quarantine for me.”
What did your writing process look like? Was it outlined or more free-form?
“Definitely outlined. I first wrote out an elevator pitch for the overall idea, then I went chapter by chapter with the main plot elements, character developments, and theme progressions I wanted to explore in each. It took a lot longer than I expected, but after I had that skeleton, the rest of the writing flowed pretty quickly! Having developed the characters first in my mind and then knowing where I wanted to take each of them then made writing dialogue so much more enjoyable. It really didn’t feel like I was having to come up with any lines, rather I was just a scribe and these very real people were taking in front of me.
Did you face any roadblocks during the writing process? If so, what were they and how did you push through them?
“I’d say the biggest roadblock was just being in medical school. Having to find time at the end of a long day, or squeezing in a quick writing session as a study break here or there, was really hard. Obviously, school always came first, so I had to be really intentional with my time. You can’t always predict when creativity will strike, so when it did, I would try to jot down a few notes to not lose the idea and get back to school.
Did you self-publish or work with a publishing company? What was the reason for whichever you chose?
"I self-published and couldn’t be happier with the decision. I knew for my first book I wanted complete creative control and I really wanted to hold rights to the book afterward. Plus, by self-publishing, I got to learn a lot more about each step of the publication process from editing to marketing and more, which will definitely help in the books to come!”
What has the community response been like to the book/you specifically within healthcare? Did people in the field know you were creative prior to release?
“It’s been absolutely incredible! Everyone has been so supportive and willing to help out/spread the word. People knew I dabbled in creative pursuits before, mostly in music and short stories, but this was the first time I went forward with something entirely new. It’s been equally exciting and terrifying watching people I know across healthcare read and share the story.”
What is something about writing/creativity/the industry you’ve learned since you started writing?
“I tried to fight it for a while, but eventually I just had to write. It was like this little voice in the back of my head that kept whispering ‘Hey, look at me!’ throughout the day. One thing I’ve learned throughout all of this is that if you have the creative bug, it won’t ever go away. You can try to push it down or ignore it, but it will always be there. Rather than trying to run from it, embrace it! It’ll make you a happier person, and that fulfillment will bleed over to all other facets of your life. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, and don’t be afraid of how people will respond. Your heart is telling you what it needs, listen to it.”
What advice would you give to someone in medicine considering writing a book of their own?
“Biggest advice I could give would be to just start writing. Anything. Jot it down. Then delete it and rewrite it. Come up with three ideas then three more. You can plan things in your head and outline all day, but the only way to become a writer is to sit down and write. I really believe anyone can do it! You just have to be willing to put in the time and believe what you’re doing is worthwhile. The words will come, I promise.”
Are there any plans for another book on the horizon?
“Yes! I’m currently working on a medical children’s series…sort of a Ghostbusters meets Pokémon. It’s a serial “monster-of-the-week” series that I am trying to get started on now and have continued on through residency. Apart from that, I’ve got two fantasy/sci-fi trilogies I’ve finished outlining that I’m really excited to explore.”
If readers could take away one point from your book, what should it be?
“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society. They simultaneously hide their own trauma while growing up in an age where everything they do is readily seen and accessible by everyone. They’re the masters of this new social media era, and I don’t think anyone can comprehend the power anyone with a phone holds. With a tap on a screen, they can lift up a life, or they could end one. We need to all be better about illustrating the power of social media, both good and bad, to protect children and the children to come.”
Sorry for the not-so-subtle plug on the last one there, just so excited to share it with you all :) A huge thanks to each of the authors for sharing their stories and journeys with the ND MD family. You should all be so proud of what you’ve accomplished, both inside of medicine and out, and you’re all inspirations in your own right. I can say first hand, it’s people like you who inspired me to follow suit with my own writing, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you. To all those out there wanting to write themselves but worried that it’s impossible alongside medicine, here is example after example of how the power is in your hands. Don’t be afraid to try, and don’t be afraid to fail. And most importantly, love the process! Soak up every new idea and fun phrase you come up with and cherish the moments you create. If you have any questions about writing or the publishing process, share them here! Let’s make a more creative medical field together. Until next time, stay healthy and happy reading! And writing :)
