Writer Wednesday - Write What You Know

Wild Women Authors 

with Kat Henry Doran 

Write What You Know 

Question: What do these writers have in common: Eileen Dryer, Tess Gerritson, Lisa Scottoline, Michael Connelly, Robert K. Tannenbaum? 

Answer: They write what they know. 

 As an avid reader, I depend on authors to write what they know. Therefore as a former trauma nurse I am especially sensitive to gross errors in basic medical procedures and hospital routines with the key words being gross and/or basic. For example, a patient with a fractured rib would not have a plaster cast applied to their chest. Also, as a former victim advocate, I know my way around a courthouse so I’m particularly sensitive to how victims of violence should be treated by those who should know better. 

That said, let’s talk about some of my favorite authors who make characters or locations jump right off the page: 

• Eileen Dryer who, in her other life, was an emergency room nurse and knows her way around an ER, the ICU, OR, and death investigations. Her novels offer edge of your seat suspense, flavored with snappy dialogue and sparkling humor. 

• Robert K. Tannenbaum spent many years as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan DA’s office and his Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi novels show off his experience as a story teller as well as an attorney anyone could respect.

• Another attorney on my list of faves is Lisa Scottoline who set her all-women law firm of Rosato and DiNunzio, in the center of Philadelphia. The flavor, customs and feel of South Philly jumps off each page of her books. 

• Michael Connelly, while not a sworn law enforcement officer, spent his earliest years as a crime reporter in Miami. He picked up the speech patterns and procedural acumen and it shows through clearly in his Harry Bosch and Mikey Haller novels. 

I’ve enjoyed giving you some ideas of who and what to look for when you pick your next reading adventure—and most sincerely hope you enjoy your choice!

© 2023 Kat Henry Doran All Rights Reserved 

Former legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner author Kat Henry Doran (and her alter ego Veronica Lynch) has been there and done that--many times over. The name she treasures most is Nana to the four brightest lights in her life: Meredith, Ashlin, Owen, and Kieran. She frequently travels from her home close to the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State to the Saint Lawrence River region as well as the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountain ranges for settings in her books which feature strong characters who stand for the ‘less thans’ in this world. www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

Writer Wednesday - Moving From the Printed Page to the Screen

Wild Women Authors 

with Kat Henry Doran 

Moving From the Printed Page to the Screen 

Since my day job keeps me either in front of a sewing machine or behind the wheel of a car, I’ve developed an interest in audio books to help pass the time. Over the years, I discovered several interesting characters and look for them as soon as the latest book is released. After I discovered several had been brought to the small screen, I jumped right on them—then watched them over and over again. 

While not every book I’ve listened to made a successful transfer from page to screen, I offer three examples of talented script writers who followed the authors’ descriptions of the characters and kept true to the original concept. In each case the heroes literally jumped off the screen and into my heart. 

Lee Child writes the Jack Reacher series [some of which have been made into movies for the big screen with Tom Cruise]. I’m speaking of the 2022 Amazon Prime Video series with Alan Ritchson who, in real life is 6’5” and perhaps more, possesses that memorable thousand-yard stare which he uses to superb effect when dealing with bad guys. Plus, he captured the dialogue just the way Mr. Child wrote it. A quick Google search told me this series will return in 2023-24 and I can’t wait. 

Michael Connolly, famous for his Harry Bosch series [also on the small screen] writes Mickey Haller of

the Lincoln Lawyer books. Late in 2022, the Lincoln Lawyer made the small screen with actor Manuel Garcia Rulfo. This character stays true to his Hispanic roots as he struggles to defend the less-thans of the world while rebuilding a relationship with his ex-wife and daughter. This is a beautifully done series—also found on Netflix—and will be back in 2023-24. 

Last, and perhaps my favorite, is ABC’s Will Trent which based on the books by Karin Slaughter. Each new book breaks my heart; the TV series closely follows the plot lines; the casting is impeccable; and the actor Ramon Rodriguez who plays Will jumps right off the screen. 

I hope you will enjoy these three series as much as I do. 

© 2023 Kat Henry Doran All Rights Reserved Former legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner author Kat Henry Doran (and her alter ego Veronica Lynch) has been there and done that--many times over. The name she treasures most is Nana to the four brightest lights in her life: Meredith, Ashlin, Owen, and Kieran. She frequently travels from her home close to the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State to the Saint Lawrence River region as well as the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountain ranges for settings in her books which feature strong characters who stand for the ‘less thans’ in this world. www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

Writer Wednesday - For that YA Reader in Your Life

Wild Women Authors 

By Kat Henry Doran 

For The YA Reader in Your Life 

I recently did a book swap with the eldest of the four bright lights in my life. Knowing she’s into the fantasy and paranormal genres, In an effort to keep lines of communication open, I told her about two YA books which recently came across my book reviewer desk. 

The Haunted Purse by Kimberly Baer offers a 15yo ‘throw-away’ who, after discovering a magical tote bag at her favorite thrift shop, sees her life change. The book teaches several important lessons about the grit and spine of a child who lives—quite successfully—on her own with the occasional assistance of nosy neighbors and caring teachers. It’ll break your heart. 

Dragons Walk Among Us by Dan Rice, is right up the alley for any kid who goes for the “woo-woo” side of things. After a budding teenage photographic journalist loses her sight, she consents to a futuristic robotic-type transplant to regain her vision. It works—except now she sees vividly colored dragons behind those who thwart her ambitions, then her very life. This is an enjoyable, edge of your seat thriller. 

For her part of the swap, my source recommended This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, a prolific YA writer. This book is ‘the bomb’ according to her. The premise, which involves a school shooter, is both horrifying and redemptive, and reminds adults how their actions now affect the next generation for the rest of their lives. Caution: this is better for ages 16 and up. 

© 2023 Kat Henry Doran All Rights Reserved 

Former legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner author Kat Henry Doran (and her alter ego Veronica Lynch) has been there and done that--many times over. The name she treasures most is Nana to the four brightest lights in her life: Meredith, Ashlin, Owen, and Kieran. She frequently travels from her home close to the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State to the Saint Lawrence River region as well as the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountain ranges for settings in her books which feature strong characters who stand for the ‘less thans’ in this world. www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com