Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Dr. Richard E. Sall, author of Straightjacket.
Good day Dr. Sall and thanks for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Norm:
What inspired you to write Straightjacket? How did you come up with ideas for the book? What methods did you use to flesh out your idea to determine if it’s salable?
Dr. Sall:
The book started out as a “behind the scenes” series of medical encounter vignettes. I presented the book idea to a movie producer friend of mine who preferred the material be presented in a story because people are primarily interested in a story involving other people. This inspired me to incorporate the vignettes in a story with a similarity to my surgical residency experience. The writing just seemed to flow from there.
Norm:
On one level your novel is a fun read but on another level it raises some interesting questions pertaining to the medical training of American physicians. How accurate is your depiction of life at the Detroit General Hospital and some of the things that happened in your novel?
Dr. Sall:
Life as a surgical resident is depicted accurately in the novel. It is the most brutal difficult experience to undergo as a physician in training.
Norm:
Would you say that your novel discloses a reality that most Americans don’t know much about? Also, do you believe if it was told as non-fiction it would not have the same impact?
Dr. Sall:
Yes, the novel depicts a reality that most Americans are unaware of. If told as a non-fiction work it would seem to be whining or complaining; rather than depicting the reality of the situation.
Norm:
What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?
Dr. Sall:
The main challenge encountered was keeping the material readable by laypersons and at the same time remaining technical for medical personnel.
Norm:
How did you create Dr. Grady in your book?
Dr. Sall:
Dr. Grady is a character based on a surgeon I knew from the past. He is a “Dirty Harry” type of guy who does not give a whit for the bean counters or bureaucrats. He is devoted to his craft of surgery and his patients…as everything else in his life disintegrates.
Norm:
Does Straightjacket have a broader mission than simply entertaining or storytelling?
Dr. Sall:
Absolutely. It wants to inform the general public of the realities of the problems in Medicine today.
Norm:
Is there much of “you” in Straightjacket?
Dr. Sall:
Yes. I don’t give a whit for the bean counters and bureaucrats either.
Norm:
Any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?
Dr. Sall:
I am still thinking about that. No decisions yet.
Norm:
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us? What is next for Dr. Sall?
Dr. Sall:
I would write a sequel if this book becomes popular. No plans at present.
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