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Friday, January 8, 2016

Interview with Dr. Richard Mabry by Marji Laine

Richard L. Mabry, M.D. is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards. He and his wife live in Central Texas. You can follow Richard online at RMabry.com, as well as on Twitter (@RichardMabry), and Facebook at RMabryBooks.

He writes in his biography on his website:
In addition to the practice of medicine, my past includes a stint overseas in the US Air Force, several periods as an interim music minister, and an all-too-brief experience as a semi-pro baseball player. In other words, there’s more to me than “M.D.” covers.
          www.rmabry.com

I hope you had an excellent Christmas and New Year break, Dr. Mabry! What is your favorite thing to do for Christmas?

I’ve reached the stage in life where I can truly mean it when I tell my family, “I don’t need anything. I just want us all to be together.” I think my favorite thing is watching my grandchildren with their presents, and having family members around me.

One of your most recent books, Miracle Drug, delves into rare viruses. Did you have occasions during your practice to deal with such?

Fortunately, in the practice of otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) I didn’t encounter a lot of potentially fatal infections, and certainly none like this one. When I read about such severe viral or bacterial illnesses and the havoc they can create, I’m impressed with the research efforts required to stay one step ahead of such infections.

You are uniquely equipped to weave suspense through the hospital/medical environment. How did your training help you with this story?

I’m often asked if some of the aspects of my novels are taken from my experience. The answer is, “No.” But sometimes things I read, either in the professional journals or in the newspaper, act as a catalyst for my stories. And, since I’m trained to understand and interpret the language, I guess in that way I’m uniquely qualified to present these stories to people without a medical background.

I know you must have had an interesting research experience with this story. Care to share?

Because this book was written before Ebola became a household word, I found myself making up things right and left, yet wanted them to be believable. That required a good bit of research, and it was gratifying to see how close I came to the measures used in dealing with Ebola. I found myself saying, again and again, “Man, I’m glad this is all fiction.”

In addition, although I knew former presidents receive Secret Service protection, I had no details. I started out with what I could glean from commonly available sources, then let my novelist’s mind fill in some blanks. Of course, I wanted things to be authentic, so I tried to check my facts. At first, the Secret Service didn’t respond to my efforts to contact them. When I sent a letter to former president George Bush, who lives in the area, he was kind enough to ask the Secret Service to communicate with me, which they did, and told me I was pretty accurate.

What are some of the most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to use in the story?

Along the way, I discovered that, although Bacillus decimus infections (as detailed in the novel) aren’t real, there are numerous infections—not just Ebola-— in various parts of the world that are just as dangerous, and there are brave men and women who risk their lives every day to combat them.

What can readers expect from the next Richard Mabry novel? 

My next published novel will be Medical Judgment, which is due out in May, 2016. It deals with a widowed doctor who is under attack from an unknown individual. Her sources of help are a family friend (who wants to be more than just a friend) and a detective who is a recovering alcoholic.
Since the publishing process is so slow, I’ve also recently self-published two novellas, Rx Murder and Silent Night, Deadly Night.

As you look forward, what is your focus – career-wise, spiritual, etc. – for 2016?

I really have no idea. I expected, by this stage of life, to be playing golf, traveling, and enjoying a quiet life. But about the time I planned to retire, my first wife died. Partly as therapy and partly to pass on my experience, I wrote a book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse, and I’m happy to say that it is still in print ten years later and continues to minister. After several years of trying my hand at fiction, with many rejections along the way, I’ve now had nine novels of medical suspense published, with the tenth coming next spring. I had no idea my life was going to take this turn…but God did. I have no idea what He has in mind for 2016, but I can hardly wait to see.

Thanks so much for sharing some of your time with us! If you want to connect with Dr. Richard Mabry, visit his Facebook page, Twitter profile, or Website! And check out all of Dr. Mabry's books on Amazon.

Do you want your own copy of Miracle Drug? Leave a comment for Dr. Mabry below with your email and one goal for 2016 and you'll be entered in a giveaway. And check this out! If you win, but you've already read Miracle Drug, name one of his books that you'd like and if he has a copy, he'll send that to you instead! Woohoo! Winner chosen on January 16th!

34 comments:

  1. Marji, thanks for this interview. I enjoy working with the "sisters." Good luck to those leaving a comment.

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  2. I hope to become better at cooking this year and try new recipes. lauralyric@hotmail.com

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  3. Loved this post. Thanks for the interview! I'd love to win a copy of Miracle Drug. It sounds like a great book! One goal for 2016 is to finish writing a couple of stories. I finished one last year, almost have another one finished, and would love to finish a third one this year. Thanks for the great post!
    sallyshupe1 at gmail dot com

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  4. I enjoyed the post. I love reading but have never read any of your books. I have two main goals this year. One is to lose weight for my health and the other is organize my genealogy papers.

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  5. Enjoyed reading this interview. I always love learning more about authors. Glad to find out that Bacillus decimus is not a person (as I thought when reading a facebook post!).
    lmedders@annistonal.gov

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  6. I I love that you wrote to former President Bush! I hope to write a story this year and have it published, whether print or ebook I am not yet sure. quiltedchicken61 at g mail dot com.

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  7. Being a huge Diagnosis Murder fan, I'm thinking I may truly enjoy your writing. If I win, you will have to recommend which book to send to me, since I've yet to read your work.
    One goal this year? To stop trying to do everything myself and give myself some breathing room.
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Thanks for this interview - I always enjoy learning more about the authors who write the books I am enjoying! I would love to win the giveaway :)
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  9. Thanks for the interview-I learn more about you and how your books come about, but I've learned from reading other books you've written where some your titles. For instance, I reading LETHAL REMEDY, and several times you've used the word or phrase "MEDICAL DRUG" and you write a book using that title. I enjoy reading. Period.

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  10. Thank you for the interview. I'd love to win Miracle Drug. Here's hoping.
    A goal for this year is to spend more time with my family and in Gods Word. Thx again for sharing.
    Anne at Rightler dot com

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  11. Friends in high places always help! I love reading about your research and enjoy your books!

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  12. Great interview! I want to give away more smiles this year!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  13. I would like to read MIRACLE DRUG. Most interesting.

    I hope to step out of my comfort zone more in 2016.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  14. Great interview. I've read Miracle Drug and just loved it. I will be sure to read other books by Dr. Mabry, so I'm thrilled for this giveaway! Thanks!

    Annie
    JustCommonly(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I have read some of your books and really liked them. I am looking forward to reading Miracle Drug. One goal I have for this year is to read the Bible all the way through. Thanks, Ellen Gray. steveandellengray(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Rare viruses sounds like a very interesting topic for a book. I do want to read this. The main goal I have for this year is to stop worrying about things not in my control. Thank you for the opportunity to win a book. l (dot) bergh (at) sbcglobal (dot)net

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  17. Great author! Great interview. One of my goals is to find a job, but that might not
    be what you mean? Okay, I want to do better at keeping on top of my reviews. Thanks for the chance to win

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  18. I loved reading about the research for the book. One of my goals is to focus more on prayer.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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  19. Enjoyed the interview. Would love to win. My one
    resolution for 2016 is to spend more time in
    meditation on the Word of God via the Bible.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Goal is to eat more fruits and vetegables. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  21. I had a total knee replacement this past July. I'm taking water areobics classes to help get strength back to my leg. I'm also riding a stationary bike.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Great interview with Dr. Mabry. I too am grateful for those who are fighting these deadly infections!

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  23. What an informative interview, Marji. I have owned the first four books in Dr. Mary's "Prescription for Trouble" series for some time now. I finally completed the first book in the series just this afternoon. I have to say I didn't know what I was missing, and I can't wait to read the rest of Dr. Mabry's novels going forward. I am not looking for a free book today, but I want to encourage anyone who hasn't read his stories to do so as soon as possible. "Code Blue" was a great read. On to Book 2. 😊

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  24. Wow, thanks for all the nice words. Wish everyone could win (but, unfortunately, that's not possible). Good luck to everyone who left a comment.

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  25. Replies
    1. Warren, I presume from your comment that you've read Miracle Drug. Hope you liked it.

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  26. What a neat interview
    God bless All of you
    My resolution is to finish making many blankets
    Chris granville
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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  27. Enjoyed reading the interview. Would love to win the book.

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  28. I enjoyed reading this interview and would love my own copy of this book. I have decided that I want to be a Barnabas (encourager) this year. So many people are hurting and facing what seems like insurmountable issues and a kind word or a positive remark could mean so much! Negativity helps no one.
    Thanks for this giveaway.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. I LOVE that focus, Connie, and I so agree. Smiles and kind words are so easy to give and so desperately needed! Thanks for sharing your heart!

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  29. I love medical mysteries.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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  30. I enjoyed reading the interview - it's fun to know what goes on behind the scenes, even for writing a book! My goal for 2016 is to transition gracefully from homeschooling mom to empty nest mom! jkmarko(at)cox(dot)net

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