INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD MABRY

Richard Mabry is a retired physician, author of “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have been a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel, finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award, as well as winner of the Selah Award. Miracle Drug is his ninth published novel. You can learn more about Richard by visiting his website.

INTERVIEW

What motivated you to begin non-medical writing?

Although I’d written or edited a number of medical textbooks at the time of my retirement from medicine, I had no thought of non-medical writing. The sudden death of my first wife, Cynthia, changed all that. Part of my grieving process involved journaling, and—as sometimes happens—friends who read what I’d written suggested I turn the material into a book. But I had no idea how to go about it.

An editor finally suggested I attend a writing conference. After some fits and starts, I began to understand the process, and eventually a publisher (Kregel) released The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse. I’m proud to say that book is still in print, and has helped many thousands who’ve suffered the loss of a loved one.

At that same conference, a couple of respected authors, James Scott Bell and Alton Gansky, suggested I try my hand at fiction. After thinking about it, I accepted the challenge, and four years, four novels, and forty rejections later I got my first fiction contract. On September 15, my ninth novel of medical suspense, Miracle Drug, will be released.

What occupies your time when you’re not writing?

My friend/attorney/golf partner and I have a standing date to play each Wednesday, weather and schedule permitting. This began with a conversation between us when I sat down in his office prior to probating Cynthia’s will. In the 16 years since that time, we’ve been there for each other through the loss of each of our first wives and subsequent marriage to wonderful women. We’ve discovered that we enjoy the game more when we don’t keep score (purists, we’ll take time for you to gasp), so that’s the way we play. And if we don’t like a shot, we drop another ball and hit it. (But no more than two balls—otherwise, we forget where we hit them).

Beyond that, there’s the usual time spent being a grandfather (we have four grandchildren), husband (God has blessed me yet again with a wonderful wife), church (we’re fortunate to be members of Stonebriar Community Church, where we hear Chuck Swindoll preach regularly), and rooting for our favorite sports teams (Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys).

How do you stay in touch with your readers?

Readers can email me (Dr. R L Mabry at gmail dot com—close the spaces and put it in proper form) and I read every message. I also blog twice a week, have a Facebook and Twitter account, as well as a Goodreads account. I send out a newsletter several times a year, usually with information about my next book (often including a sneak preview).

What do you think about becoming one of the Suspense Sisters?

Once I discovered that no surgery would be involved, I was thrilled to be asked. I hope I can bring a bit of variety to the blog by contributing a male point of view. Thanks for asking me.

The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Then Dr. Josh Pearson discovered why—the patients had another infection, one that was universally fatal. The only chance for their survival was treatment with an experimental drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply. 

The stakes were high because the patients were the former President of the United States and a nurse with whom Josh was falling in love. The situation was bad and getting worse by the minute. Overcoming all this would take more than a miracle drug—it would take a miracle. 

Richard is giving away a copy of Miracle Drug. Just leave a comment below, along with your contact information, and you could win this wonderful medical thriller. U.S. only please.