ellen - You are a real anesthesiologist. You are also a writer. Where do you find the time for both to co-exist?

Joseph - Yes, I am a real anesthesiologist, but I am also a retired real anesthesiologist. And by 'retired' I don't mean "tired again"!

ellen - Joe, what was the inspiration for writing terrO.R.?

Joseph - If you read the short autobiography on my Amazon Profile Page, you will find the following phrase: "the terrO.R. novel was inspired by an old, never explained O.R. incident." Put together my 36 years of hospital practice as  'sandman', mix it with a dash of 9/11 and after you stir well, add a pound of daily terrorism news, et voila!...As a matter of fact, the first title I chose for my novel was "TERROR ENDS IN OR" but "terrO.R." is shorter.

ellen - Are you planning any more novels? Still in the same genre or different subjects?

Joseph - The next novel is vegetating inside my gray matter, but it will not descend to my word processing fingers, unless approached by a real traditional publisher. After wasting almost a year with a small 'traditional' publisher who forgot to disclose that he was running out of money and after another year with an agent who forgot to disclose that she hasn't made a sale yet, I self-published terrO.R. Self-publishing is an interesting and unique experience and it will remain 'unique' from all points of view.

ellen - What are your thoughts about publishing in today's world?

Joseph - The publishing world is ugly. It is based on who you know, who you are, or for how long you made the front pages. This is probably why literary agents compete for today's celebrities, for living, but notorious criminals and for dead but famous authors (ex: Robert Ludlum) and their ghost written masterpieces. The publishing odds for an unknown writer are poor. Very poor. Major publishers accept manuscripts only through major literary agents and major literary agents accept only writers either previously published by major publishers, or present on the daily news by other means.

ellen - What do you feel is an author's responsibility, if any, to the reader?

Joseph - To tell the truth. If what you wrote is fiction, say so. No more James Freys in the writing business.

ellen - Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Joseph - No. I hate writing, but I discovered that I like being published!

ellen - Who do you like to read when you have some spare time?

Joseph - Romanian and French books (to help me not forget those languages).

ellen - What advice can you give for people out there who have a story to write?

Joseph - Sit down and start writing but avoid the 'literary imposition on friends' syndrome. I had a close aquaintance who was writing a book and every get-together between our two families included a reading and discussion of the manuscript. And not only his latest chapter! His novel was never published.

ellen - Has the practice of medicine changed in the last years? Is it getting too impersonal?

Joseph - 'terrO.R.' ends with the contrast between the old HIPPOCRATIC OATH and the modern NON-HYPOCRITIC OATH, invented by the undersigned. My reply is there.

ellen - How do you go about writing a book - what is your thought/writing process?

Joseph - I wake up in the morning, I scratch my head, I drink a double espresso (without sugar), I scratch my head, I follow a morning shower with another double espresso (without sugar) and, after I scratch my head again, I force myself to sit down at my computer and write.

ellen - How can people contact you?

Joseph - They can contact me at Dr.Noshots.yahoo.com

ellen - Any thoughts you'd like to convey to the readers?

Joseph - Recommend, but don't lend. Let them buy. Signed, "A Grateful Author".

Thanks Dr. Joe!!!

I think we have the same writing process - except I put Equal in my cuppa!!

You will find my review of terrO.R. on this site.

ellen george