A Day in the Life of Dr. Richard Mabry

For some reason, people seem interested in the life of a published writer. Before I joined that group, I had visions of a writer repairing to a quiet den where he or she could write in solitude, turning out words that were pure gold and never needed editing. When the author went out, people would point and whisper, “There goes…” And every few weeks, the postman would deliver a hefty royalty check, which the writer would put into an already fat mutual fund account. But now, as the late Paul Harvey would put it, I know the rest of the story.

My office is far from the spacious, well-furnished room I envisioned. I often joke that it’s so small I have to step outside to change my mind. My time there is never uninterrupted, but I don’t mind. That’s one of the advantages of working at home.

The author's swanky office

Although I try to get in some actual writing most days, my time in the office  is also taken with email, blog posts (mine and those of others), marketing, and the hundred-and-one things that I’ve found demand a writer’s attention.

By the way, although I always warn writers to avoid this activity, when I have a new release, such as Critical Condition, I read the reviews. Although I generally enjoy them, there are always one or two that keep me humble.

When I do get around to writing, I open my latest work-in-progress, read through the last couple of scenes (editing as I go), and write additional material. That not only gets me back into the flow of the novel, but makes my subsequent editing and revision work easier.

During all this, I look around for adoring crowds but see none. I listen for brass bands but all I hear are children playing in the yard next door. And when the postman comes, he generally brings bills and circulars, not fat checks. No, this isn’t the writer’s life I imagined.

There you have it, a typical writing day. It’s humdrum, totally devoid of drama, without the trappings of fame and fortune I once imagined. But would I change it? Not on your life. I’m a writer, and happy to be one.

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Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and author of “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have been a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel, finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award, and winner of the Selah Award.  His most recent novel, just released, is Critical Condition. You can follow Richard on his blog, on Twitter, and his Facebook fan page.

Make sure to stop by The Borrowed Book tomorrow for a chance to win a free copy of Critical Condition!