Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row]
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row]
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row]
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row]
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row]
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
[/et_pb_text]
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
[/et_pb_text]
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
[/et_pb_text]
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Richard Mabry agrees. He says that if a non-medically trained writer wanted to include a medical scene, he’d recommend that they get some feedback from a professional at some point.
2. Understand your audience.
Most readers will have no medical training or background, so you need to be careful not to talk over their heads. There’s a balance to be found between telling them what they need to know but not overwhelming them with technical detail.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
[/et_pb_text]
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Richard Mabry agrees. He says that if a non-medically trained writer wanted to include a medical scene, he’d recommend that they get some feedback from a professional at some point.
2. Understand your audience.
Most readers will have no medical training or background, so you need to be careful not to talk over their heads. There’s a balance to be found between telling them what they need to know but not overwhelming them with technical detail.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
[/et_pb_text]
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
6 steps to writing a great medical thriller:
1. Know what you’re talking about.
Chuck Sambuchino from Writers’ Digest says that most of the really successful medical thriller writers were medical professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. If you want to write a medical thriller, however, you do need some knowledge so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about.
Richard Mabry agrees. He says that if a non-medically trained writer wanted to include a medical scene, he’d recommend that they get some feedback from a professional at some point.
2. Understand your audience.
Most readers will have no medical training or background, so you need to be careful not to talk over their heads. There’s a balance to be found between telling them what they need to know but not overwhelming them with technical detail.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Why do we like medical thrillers?
If you want to write a medical thriller, there are 6 steps you must take before you sit down to write.
Henry Sutton, senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of East Anglia asked why do we like crime fiction so much? He wrote that crime fiction, of which the medical thriller is a sub-genre, has overtaken general fiction in popularity, and I would say it has only grown in popularity since he wrote that article in 2018.
Sutton suggests that one reason for its continued appeal is its ability to engage and thrill its readers so well. Cleverly written crime books are well paced, and the plot is water tight.
It’s a hugely competitive market and its readers can sniff out those that are writing to market as frauds!
Sutton argues that another reason it’s so popular is that the books make you feel uncomfortable, ‘that they invade your headspace, adding drama, fear and anxiety.’ They take you out of your world and into make believe as well as adding the element of surprise.
Medical thriller falls within the crime genre at its broadest, but what is it that makes a successful story? What must writers of a medical thriller do to ensure they write a book readers will love?
[/et_pb_text]6 steps to writing a great medical thriller:
1. Know what you’re talking about.
Chuck Sambuchino from Writers’ Digest says that most of the really successful medical thriller writers were medical professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. If you want to write a medical thriller, however, you do need some knowledge so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about.
Richard Mabry agrees. He says that if a non-medically trained writer wanted to include a medical scene, he’d recommend that they get some feedback from a professional at some point.
2. Understand your audience.
Most readers will have no medical training or background, so you need to be careful not to talk over their heads. There’s a balance to be found between telling them what they need to know but not overwhelming them with technical detail.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
Why do we like medical thrillers?
If you want to write a medical thriller, there are 6 steps you must take before you sit down to write.
Henry Sutton, senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of East Anglia asked why do we like crime fiction so much? He wrote that crime fiction, of which the medical thriller is a sub-genre, has overtaken general fiction in popularity, and I would say it has only grown in popularity since he wrote that article in 2018.
Sutton suggests that one reason for its continued appeal is its ability to engage and thrill its readers so well. Cleverly written crime books are well paced, and the plot is water tight.
It’s a hugely competitive market and its readers can sniff out those that are writing to market as frauds!
Sutton argues that another reason it’s so popular is that the books make you feel uncomfortable, ‘that they invade your headspace, adding drama, fear and anxiety.’ They take you out of your world and into make believe as well as adding the element of surprise.
Medical thriller falls within the crime genre at its broadest, but what is it that makes a successful story? What must writers of a medical thriller do to ensure they write a book readers will love?
6 steps to writing a great medical thriller:
1. Know what you’re talking about.
Chuck Sambuchino from Writers’ Digest says that most of the really successful medical thriller writers were medical professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. If you want to write a medical thriller, however, you do need some knowledge so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about.
Richard Mabry agrees. He says that if a non-medically trained writer wanted to include a medical scene, he’d recommend that they get some feedback from a professional at some point.
2. Understand your audience.
Most readers will have no medical training or background, so you need to be careful not to talk over their heads. There’s a balance to be found between telling them what they need to know but not overwhelming them with technical detail.
C S Lakin interviewed Richard Mabry, who reminded us that people love to be informed, not just entertained. That’s why police procedurals and legal thrillers are so popular. They want to feel the tension and listen to secret conversations.
He makes the good suggestion of writing from the point of view of the layperson. You don’t want to overload your reader with too much jargon, otherwise it looks like you’re trying to show off how much research you did! The way to do that is to focus on the characters and their stories, spicing up the narrative with well-researched details.
3. Keep the story moving.
If you want to write a medical thriller, it needs to be fast paced and gripping. Georgina Roy warns not to become complacent with action. Just because a story is set in a hospital, it doesn’t mean the plot shouldn’t move forward at a good pace. Keep momentum going throughout the book, not just at the climax of the story.
4. Write good characters.
No matter how fast-paced your thriller, readers need to connect or at least care about your characters. They may even hate them, but they must care.
Georgina Roy echoes Chuck Sambuchino and emphasises just how important good characters are. They need to be multifaceted and be sympathetic, even the baddies.
5. Explore uncharted territory.
Medicine and technology are changing all the time. If you come across something new and interesting, go with it. It’ll be something equally new for your readers. By keeping abreast of new medical advances and technologies, you’ll come across new and original stories lines, exciting for your readers.
6. A moral dilemma.
Georgina Roy suggests that not only does this add depth to your book, but it also gives your character/s a puzzle to morality to solve, not just a crime.
Finally, have fun
Enjoy the writing and lose yourself in story. It’s meant to be challenging but also a lot of fun, so let go and delve in. If you do, so will your readers.
Medical Resources for writers
Kim Foster has laid out a comprehensive glossary of online medical resources for writers.
Medical Resources For Writers
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