The Whitewashed Tombs: Reflecting on Medicine, Printing, and Writing as Lifelong Practices

 Wed--Kwei

Writing and Medicine: A Shared Commitment to Lifelong Improvement

As an author and former medical doctor, the release of my latest novel, The Whitewashed Tombs, on September 3, 2024, feels like a moment to reflect on the connection between medicine and the practice of writing. Both professions, after all, share a dedication to continual improvement. It's telling that medicine is one of the few professions referred to as a "practice." We don’t say that pilots are engaged in the "practice" of flying or that civil engineers practice infrastructure design. 

Yet for doctors—and writers—there’s an understanding that there’s always something more to learn, always a way to grow and improve, no matter how experienced one becomes.

This idea of continual refinement is fundamental to medicine, where even the most seasoned doctors are constantly honing their skills, learning new techniques, and updating their knowledge. Similarly, a writer is always flawed in their craft. Each novel, short story, or article is a chance to push boundaries, experiment, and get closer to that elusive goal of writing the perfect piece—just as each patient presents a unique case for a doctor, offering a new opportunity for diagnosis and treatment.

Narrated by the incomparable Bridgerton megastar, Adjoa Andoh

                                     

The Intersection of Medicine and Writing: From Doyle to Crichton

Some of the most celebrated authors in history began their careers in medicine. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes, was a physician before he turned to writing. His deep knowledge of medicine influenced Holmes' methodical approach to solving crimes, similar to the diagnostic process. Robin Cook, the master of the medical thriller, gave us gripping novels like Coma, drawing on his medical training. A Harvard-educated doctor, Michael Crichton translated his expertise into unforgettable science fiction like Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain. Incidentally, it is the legend that Crichton wrote his first novel while an intern, which is baffling.

Then there's Somerset Maugham, a doctor-turned-author, who explored the human psyche with the precision of a surgeon. More recently, Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, bridged the gap between medicine and literature, crafting a novel that intertwines healing with storytelling. The Russian writer Anton Chekhov was another doctor who merged medicine and writing, famously saying, "Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress." Each of these authors approached writing with the same meticulous care they brought to medicine, knowing that both fields require attention to detail, a deep understanding of the human condition, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Crime Fiction and Medical Diagnosis: A Symbiotic Process

The parallels between writing crime fiction and practicing medicine are more profound than one might think. In crime fiction, solving a mystery is much like diagnosing a puzzling disease. Just as a doctor must question a patient to gather a medical history, a detective questions witnesses to understand the crime. Both are looking for clues—whether it’s symptoms of a disease or evidence at a crime scene.

Once the basic facts are gathered, the doctor performs physical exams or orders lab tests, much like a detective scours the crime scene for overlooked details. And just as some medical findings can be misleading, red herrings can distract detectives and readers in a mystery novel. Finally, the diagnosis process can be compared to a detective’s task of compiling a list of suspects. Just as a doctor works through a differential diagnosis, narrowing down possible illnesses, the detective eliminates suspects until they find the true culprit.

In The Whitewashed Tombs, these parallels between medicine and detective work are more than thematic—they are the story’s backbone. Emma Djan’s process of solving the murder mystery mirrors the diagnostic steps taken by a doctor, with twists and turns that reflect the complexities of both medicine and crime-solving. Both fields require intuition, logic, and the ability to see beyond the obvious.

Printing, Writing, and Medicine: The Evolution of Craft

Finally, as we celebrate the release of The Whitewashed Tombs, it’s also worth reflecting on the printing process—an art form in itself. Printing, like writing and medicine, has evolved continuously, with each advancement representing a step forward in the quest for accuracy, clarity, and beauty. Just as doctors refine their techniques and writers hone their prose, printers have perfected their craft over centuries to bring stories like mine to life in the most vivid and impactful way possible.

The connection between these fields—medicine, printing, and writing—is the pursuit of mastery, the desire to do better with each attempt. Like medicine and printing, writing is a practice. With The Whitewashed Tombs, I hope to take readers on a journey of discovery, where the truths are not always what they seem, and uncovering them is as intricate and rewarding as any medical diagnosis or detective case.

Conclusion

I continue refining my craft with each new story I write, just as doctors refine their skills. One reviewer recently described my writing as “clunky” in parts, and rather than taking offense, I agree! As I have always strived to be a better physician, I still strive to make my writing more elegant and refined with every novel. The Whitewashed Tombs represents a milestone in that ongoing journey, intertwining medicine and crime-solving to bring readers a story filled with intrigue, complexity, and, ultimately, revelation.

As The Whitewashed Tombs hits the shelves September 3, 2024, I invite readers to dive into this mystery and explore the deep connections between these lifelong practices.