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Friday, September 4, 2015

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.
 

 

25 comments:

  1. Richard, I LOVE your version of golf. I don't play, but my husband is threatening to start after he retires next year. I think the only way I could ever enjoy it would be NO scores, and extra golfballs to hit whenever my last one has headed to parts unknown. :) What a great system! :)

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    1. Roxanne, it's called "old fogey's best ball." Your husband will love it, and so would you.

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  2. Hi Richard
    This looks like another of your books that I can't put down ! I appreciate that I'm learning lots of medical information while enjoying a suspenseful read with a spiritual message!

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  3. Hi Richard
    This looks like another of your books that I can't put down ! I appreciate that I'm learning lots of medical information while enjoying a suspenseful read with a spiritual message!

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  4. Hello Richard! I love how the Lord brings beauty from ashes. I am so excited for the release of MIRACLE DRUG. I can't wait to read it.

    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. hello mr. mabry
    this looks like another good book in a line of classics to come from your pen. i cant wait to read it.

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  6. I love medical dramas although they do not improve my paranoia. There is just something about reading and learning about viruses that make me happy. Since I can not become a nurse I can live the dream through these stories.

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  7. Looks like another great mix of medicine & mystery! Can't wait to read it!

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  8. Medicine...mystery...a great pair!!! Keep up the good work Dr. M!

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  9. Donna Haynes RobertsonSeptember 4, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    I have enjoyed all of the medical mysteries of yours that I have read so far. Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

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  10. I am wanting to read this one! Wouldn't a miracle drug be something ? ?
    Sounds like another winner :) dkstevensneAT outlookDoTCoM

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  11. Thanks to everyone who's commented so far. A reminder--if you add your email to your comment (put it in this form, to avoid web crawlers: Dr R L Mabry at yahoo dot com) it will be easier to get in touch with the winner of a copy of Miracle Drug.

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  12. I enjoyed your interview and learning a little more about you. I've read each one of your novels and always watch to see when a new book will be released. I would love to win a copy of this one. Thanks.
    lin lee 822 at g mail dot com

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  13. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.
    pj4824 at yahoo dot com

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  14. I love all of your books! Starting a new one today!
    lcouey at hotmail dot com

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  15. I love all of your books! Starting a new one today!
    lcouey at hotmail dot com

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  16. Suspense is my new love. Especially when it comes from Suspense Sisters. I would be honored to have a copy of Miracle Drug. Continued blessings to you in your second career.

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  17. I have been looking for The Tender Scar at the library but I have not found it yet.

    Sonnetta underscore jones at hotmail dot com

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    1. Sonnetta, I tried to send you an email, but that address won't work. The Tender Scar is in some church libraries, and you might want to check there. It's available for purchase at about $9 from most booksellers. Thanks.

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  18. Loved your comment about being a suspense sis as long as it didn't involve surgery. I'm glad to have learned more of your story, and hope your next book sells volumes. No pun intended...

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  19. Richard, now that's the way to play golf. And I like that you can drop no more than two balls or you can't remember where you hit them! Have enjoyed all your books and look forward to reading Miracle Drug. jo (johudd at bellsouth dot net)

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  20. Your book sounds, not only interesting, but like a best seller. Good luck.

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  21. I think I might be able to play your kind of golf. I'm not very good at golf! Your book sounds great. I can't wait to read it. Thank you for sharing.
    Anne at Rightler dot com

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  22. Always enjoy reading more about you. Makes your books more personable for me
    Looking forward to Miracle Drug.

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  23. I'd love to add this to my bookshelf! I have a copy of "Fatal Trauma" yet-to-be-read & I'm sure I'll enjoy that as well! My husband read it and thought it was good....always a good sign ;-) Thank you for the chance at "Miracle Drug"!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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