I Love My Doctor, But...

I'm waiting for several writers I trust to review and edit this short book (pamphlet) on problems between patients and their physicians. It's a lighthearted look at a serious problem.

I'm spending too much time promoting my works, but can't see an alternative.

My newest novel, Tortured Memory is selling reasonably well and has had good reviews. I'm relieved because this was the most complicated plot line I created. I worked hard to make sure the transitions worked, and thus far they have.

I'm having my novel, The Plague Within edited and hope to have it out in approx. a month. My wife, Dorlis really likes this novel.

Tortured Memory now available

Took my time getting this title available. I took heat for the editing etc. for Rage, and I'm still suffering for that. It's disheartening that some will let a few grammatical errors to interfere with the enjoyment of the read.
I had Tortured Memory edited and reviewed by others. I hope it worked out.

Both versions are available now at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFOP316 (kindle) and at:
http://www.amazon.com/Tortured-Memory-Brier-Hospital-Lawrence/dp/1482585200/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361811273&sr=1-2&keywords=torturedMemory

I'll start my campaign for sales on Tortured Memory and getting reviews next week. Promos have become as essential part of the processes.
Tortured Memory is the 4th in the Brier Hospital Series. Readers like them and they stand alone although the scene is familiar as are certain players.

In addition, I'm writing a non-fiction book, a lighthearted approach to problems between physicians and their patients. I've made contact with several cartoon artists. Entertaining cartoons will help.

Lesson learned (pleasant for a change)

I underestimated the power of the free downloads in attracting attention to my work. I had two successful campaigns for First, Do No Harm (15,000) downloads and No Cure for Murder (17,000). Almost immediately after the novel returned to normal pricing, the sales went up and have stayed up.
This is a technique I'll use again and again.

I'm still not getting the sale I should (or think I should) from For the Love of God. I'm guessing it's the subject matter or the way I've portrayed the novel for readers. Religion may be the problem even though the novel only criticizes only those sects that allow children to suffer and die needlessly. I'll be reviewing the promotional materials to make it clear that this novel contains much of the same material that has made my other work more successful.

I'm nearing the completion of my next novel, Tortured Memory. I'm line editing (not my favorite thing) but most importantly, I've discovered an expert editor to help. I hope to have that available in a few weeks.

No Cure for Murder Free

My novel, No Cure for Murder will be free 1/11-1/13/2013.

I'm promoting this novel for the obvious reasons, but, in addition, I'm hoping that readers will enjoy another novel in the Brier Hospital Series and fall in love with the characters Jacob and Lola.

I knew that it was a risk having octogenarian protagonists and that the thirty-somethings might not be interested, but our population is aging and what's wrong with highly intelligent, competent, world-wise, and humorous characters of any age.

When I pitched the screenplay in LA last year, the thirty-something were true to their biases and weren't interested.
I think they're wrong, but, who am I?

If I can determine enough interest in these characters, I'd love to go ahead with another novel and perhaps push harder for a TV  series (if I can get them to live long enough).

The Next Best Thing

The Next Big Thing

1. What is the title of your book?

Rage
2.  How did you come by the idea?
The idea came to me as I observed the discordance between the law and psychiatry and its tragic consequences. These problems are ever more poignant in the light of recent events.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

 A psychological thriller/mystery.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?

Robin Williams has played psychiatrists before. I can easily see him as a forensic psychiatrist.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When normal people act violently, we need answers.

6. Will your book be self-published or traditional?

Self -published.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first draft took four months. The novel has taken many forms: screenplay, proposal for miniseries, and continuing TV drama.

8.  What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Innovative like Robin Cook, but better written. Michael Palmer & Tess Gerritsen.

9.. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I like novels that pose an intriguing, yet unanswerable question. Human behavior is the ultimate one. This gives me the opportunity to entertain while watching my characters deal with the question.  I try to hold off the answer  as long as possible.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

In Rage, as in my other novels, I strive to entertain, and to share with the readers my thoughts and experiences as a physician. These are lessons too often learned the hard way.

What is the title of your book?

The Speed of Dark. It's an anthology.

Learning the Hard Way

I had to republish my latest novel, Rage for print and Kindle. Somehow, the manuscript contained unusual marks and parts of chapters were missing. Had some mediocre review due to same. I think the novel's better than that (my unbiased opinion, LOL). Hope readers will give it another shot.

http://www.amazon.com/Rage-ebook/dp/B00AH2LK8W/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

I must admit that I'm not fond of line editing. It's because I'm a natural reader and my mind ignores error and omissions by inserting what's missing and deleting what shouldn't be there. 

I tried several online spell and grammar checkers and they were worse than useless. In fact, one may be responsible for errors in my manuscript for Rage.

It's difficult to fuss about these petty problems in the face of what happened last Friday in Connecticut. 

If this doesn't change attitudes about firearms, nothing will.

Back to my Blog

I’m returning to my blog for two reasons: 1. It may help me sell books, and 2. It gives me the opportunity to express what motivates me to write.

Medical fiction, TV, and big-screen productions have posed difficulties for me. While I appreciate great writing in any form, inaccuracy and faulty plot lines drive me nuts. My wife, Dorlis and I cringe when actors study and comment on x-rays that are upside down or backwards or when they mispronounce medical terms. This isn’t a big deal for the average viewer, but it may serve as a harbinger of other problems in the production. If producers hired medical consultants, they could eliminate these problems. In addition, many productions highlight only the most dramatic elements of medical illness while excluding those most important to patients and their families. Unfortunately, medical scenes as portrayed are far removed from reality (and I'm not just talking about handsome/beautiful physicians and nurses). 

I deal with these issues in my novels but in my blog, I can be more direct:

1.     Does your doc have only your best interests at heart?

2.     Does your doctor know when he/she is over his/her head and is he/she willing to ask for help?

3.     How patient/family attitudes/actions influence medical professionals (who are human after all).

4.     How much care is too much care? (a major problem in the healthcare crisis ahead)

5.     Do physicians and patients really understand the risk/benefit profiles of medications, surgeries, and other procedures?

6.     Physicians and patients can be caring or uncaring, intelligent or stupid, hardworking or slothful, patient or impatient, risk averse or thrill-seeking, dedicated or indifferent…name your own adjectives.

In medicine, like in life, the first step in dealing with problems is to acknowledge them.