They say it’s not brain surgery… But today, it actually is.. and we’ve got the expert in the house to prove it.

Give it up (virtually, of course), for Dr. Brian Gantwerker, who’s a neurosurgeon by day, host of our series The Six and panelist in the upcoming #SoMeDocsWriters conference by night.

We invited Dr. Gantwerker in, between cases to answer questions about writing, since he’s taken pleasure in writing op-ed’s for outlets such as ours.

What have you written? Tell us about it/give us an overview, before we dive in to your work and the writing process.

I have written numerous blog posts, over 35 different long-form newsletter OpEds, including one featured on SoMe docs.

What inspired you to start writing alongside your medical career?

A desire to get my thoughts out about the brokenness of our system and educating patients and especially colleagues on how to recognize the rot, and how to start pushing back.

Was there a specific moment when you thought, “I need to write this book/blog”?

Too many to count. But, when my father died after long bout of an illness brought on by the obvious gaps in our medical system, I felt I had to speak out.

How does your medical background (if you have a different background, apply it to this question) influence your writing style and topics?

Someone once said, write what you know. I stick to what I know, and can back up with knowledge and experience.

Writers Conference for Healthcare Professionals

SoMeDocs is pleased to announce a virtual conference focusing on writing as a healthcare professional. Topics range from Book Publishing — Getting Started, to Writing Fiction: The Secret Sauce that Keeps Readers Turning Your Pages, and more.

Writers 1

Writers 2

Writers 3

Have you ever had a patient, or someone else that you didn’t know, recognize you from your book or blog? How did that go?

No, but we do feature some of my posts on paper posts in the office. Some of my patients follow me on Social Media and comment on them, after meeting me.

Do you have a strict writing routine, or do you write whenever inspiration strikes—like between patient rounds?

Absolutely not. I have to keep it free and allow it to just flow.

What’s your writing setup? Are we talking medical journals scattered across your desk, or are you more of a coffee shop, laptop, and noise-canceling headphones type?

I use “Notes” on my mac, and sketch out some ideas. Sometimes I start with a working title, which usually ends up being the title, and a pop culture quote from a song, or movie as the intro.

How do you balance writing with a demanding healthcare career (or whatever other profession you’re in)? Any productivity hacks?

I write sometimes on Sunday nights or during lunch breaks in clinic, if I am inspired.

Do you outline meticulously, or are you more of a “let’s see where this goes” kind of writer?

No, no outlining other than some points I hit, or if I really like a concept I came up with, I will grab pics of stuff off the net and just go with it.

What’s the weirdest or funniest thing you’ve Googled while researching for your writing?

I would probably have to say some Bowie quotes.

What would you really like to see covered in our #SoMeDocsWriters conference/virtual events?

Just different methodologies or content writing and how to find your audience and then market your writing.

What are you going to bring to the table at our #SoMeDocsWriters, as a speaker or attendee?

A frank, no nonsense, nonfrilly padded approach.

We feature a directory that highlights books and blogs – how do you hope a directory like this will help get the word out on experts’ work?

I am not sure I would use it, but happy to be part of it.

Tell us about your latest book/blog—what’s the heart of the message?

I just posted my 36th feature quoting Radiohead, and talking about the sheer hypocrisy of what is currently going on in healthcare.

Have any of your colleagues or patients reacted in surprising ways to your writing?

I have had a very much older curmudgeonly man in our organization compliment me. Shocked he actually read it and even more shocked he liked it.

Did you encounter any “doctor-turned-writer” stereotypes while publishing?

Yes, but I have to allow people to do what they do, even if their enthusiasm about what they are doing is a little cliche or even overwhelming to me.

If you wrote a book, did you go the traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid route? How did you find the process?

I have an idea already – my brother and I just have to sit down and write about it. It’s about our experience during our parents’ very difficult journey, each in our particular discipline – my father with me and my mothers’ with my brother.

Sleep Well: Bridging Science and Health in Sleep Medicine

The science of sleep is too important to leave to internet guesswork. This expert-led SoMeDocs collection helps doctors and the public understand sleep disorders, treatments, research, and practical strategies for better health and well-being.

The Sleep Conference

What’s harder—writing a book or making it through a 24-hour hospital shift (if you’ve worked through one)? If you haven’t is there any other comparable activity?

A BOOK! Haven’t written it yet but way harder.

If you could have lunch with any author (living or dead), who would it be and why?

Mark Twain – no question.

What’s one medical myth you’d love to debunk through your writing?

That all neurosurgeons are cold, hard detached assholes, but that is already being done. Maybe that neurosurgeons are also patients, parents, children, and siblings and struggle sometimes to be present and themselves.

If you weren’t in medicine or writing, what would you be doing?

Music producer.

Can you share one piece of advice for healthcare professionals who secretly want to write but don’t know where to start?

It’s a great time to write if you are pissed off about something.