Not the Life Imagined
1) You have written for The Herald and the medical press, so writing is not new to you. When
did you decide to make the leap into writing books?
I had written pieces of short fiction for fun but in retirement decided I finally had time for a novel. Finding there were few books about women in medicine except as pioneers or pathologists, I decided that my experience as a female medic from the seventies might provide an interesting and unusual basis for a couple of novels.
2) Did you always want to write about cosy crime, and could you explain for our readers the
difference between cosy crime and other crime novels?
Like most embryo writers, my plan was to write a ‘literary’ novel of merit ‘exposing the prejudice and misogyny suffered by female medics.’ Instead, unbidden, crimes crept into my writing, albeit ones with specific links to the medical ethics of trust, sexual propriety and duty of care. After winning the Spotlight Award from Bloody Scotland in 2019, I accepted the crime epithet. I always say we should remember not all crimes are murder (though my second book has plenty of those!) I think ‘Cosy Crime’ is a bit vague, but basically it’s a novel lacking the gore of Gerritson or the police procedural detail of Rankin. Instead, ordinary people are caught up in extraordinary circumstances facing dilemmas and criminals. Humour and humanity are to the fore. Cosy Crime is entertainment, a book to be enjoyed with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates: no horror, some humour and a puzzle or two to keep you guessing.
3) As your profession is a doctor, this must have been a great help in researching your books?
Couldn’t have written them without my medical training! Many of the incidents in the novels came from personal recall or from ex-classmates. The GMC tribunal scenes, for example, are accurate due to a friend who reached its lofty ranks- not from any appearance by my good self as a miscreant!
4) Do you think you will continue writing about the N.H.S. or do you think you might try
something new?
There is much mileage still in NHS stories, but I do have other projects in mind. One is set in WW2 Cheshire. Gamekeeper’s daughter Emily attains riches and a South African diamond mine by the age of 30, but her path to advancement is no Catherine Cookson misery memoir. Cunning beyond belief, she will use any means to advance. (The psychology of successful murderers fascinates me!)
5) Any new book coming up that you might like to give us a sneak preview?
Ah, my lips are sealed.. . But I can reveal my 2024 cosy crime book explores the differences between medicine in the UK and the USA, apt at a time when our own free health service is deteriorating. Two Glasgow University girls, Mhairi and Laura, spend summer 1971 in New Jersey. Apart from being flummoxed by cultural and language difficulties and distracted by wildly socialising with fellow students (all male) they become embroiled in a web of malpractice, deceit and exploitation of poor patients. I was there myself in 1970, but I won’t be revealing which events are based on fact… Research has put me back in touch with old classmates who left our shores to make their fortunes overseas. A very different world to the NHS.
6) Who are some of your favourite authors?
An eclectic mix: serious stories for dark nights, frivolous delights for planes.
Novelists? Christopher Brookmyre (aka Ambrose Parry), wildly witty. Steig Larsson, master storyteller with big themes. Joanne Harris, a synaesthete and it shows. Philippa Gregory for historical women. Stella Rimington and John Le Carre for espionage, Peter May, for page turning. Sebastian Faulks, great women characters. Andrea Camilleri for crazy Italian tales laced with sun, food and wine.
Biographies? The Moon’s a Balloon, David Niven. Becoming, Michelle Obama
Non-fiction? Guns, Germs and Steel by US professor Jared Diamond, an eye-opening read.
Two unsung novelists of the past? Taylor Caldwell, Dear and Glorious Physician (St Luke) and The Arm and The Darkness (Cardinal Richelieu) etc, rich, well-researched atmospheric novels. And John Verney, fifties author and gifted illustrator of prescient kid’s books with environmental themes like Friday’s Tunnel.
7) Do you plan each step of the writing process before you start or do you let the story “take
control” and follow its own path?
I’m largely a ‘pantser’ but do start with the setting (preferably somewhere I know well), detailed biopics of a few main characters, a couple of themes, and three central plots. Then it all falls apart when the characters do ridiculous things like falling in love with one another, murdering a character I like before I’m ready or stupidly getting involved in hit and run (current WIP!)!
8) What is the best part about being an author?
Creating characters, worlds and settings to entertain readers. It’s fun for us too!
9) What important advice would you give to other authors?
Everyone has their own journey, but perhaps read Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ and then just start. Taking classes at Uni or college and joining a Writers Group can be unbelievably helpful.
10) What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
Scotland didn’t swing in the Sixties. Discrimination against women and gay men was rife.
You need dedication to become a doctor. But sadly, you can’t trust them all …