I'm writing another novel. And it's good. Like really good. But enough about that.
One of my characters is based on a patient who I have kind of met. Four months ago, when I was on SICU, I would cover the Burn ICU at night. I spent many hours at her bedside, placing lines, adjust medications, drawing labs, changing dressings- but she was basically in a coma, so I met her but she never met me. Anyway, I've taken her and developed an entire imaginary life and personality and made her a character in my novel.
Now I am on Burn Surgery and she came to clinic today. Let me tell you- it was AWKWARD. I walked into the room and saw her name and immediately felt like I was meeting a celebrity or something. She probably thinks I'm a total freak. But I kind of wanted to get to know her and be her BFF, mostly because I'm curious if I got ANY of her life or personality right.
The verdict? She is much more stylish, funnier and nicer than my character. I guess that's better than if she ended up being a jerk. Anyway, now I feel like I need to make my character better, to live up to her.
Meeting one of my characters in clinic.... craziness.
Also- here are 2 AWESOME quote about writing I like:
"Although physicians are not deities, novelists are."
"The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense."
A letter to the woman in the post office
2 years ago
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Good post. Familiar!
ReplyDeleteI got a call months after my SICU rotation from the family of "Claire" on her day of discharge. I'd forgotten her, despite our tough month together. Meeting her alive and well was the most meaningful residency moment of the year. We took a picture together - the only photo I have from six years in a hospital.
Thanks for the memory.
Say hello to Dorion and Areta..........LOL
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