Jill Grimes is no stranger to SoMeDocs. We’ve been proud to boast her not only as a member, but also as a speaker, and the author of several articles we’ve published in our magazine. Her book, The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook, is proudly displayed in our BOOKS Directory, where we showcase the books written by experts today. She’ll additionally be leading a workshop at the upcoming SoMeDocsWriters event, held online, and accessible in evergreen fashion.
Dr. Grimes happens to also be a nationally recognized medical media expert and award-winning author. She serves as a writer for CNN Wellness and is a former associate editor for the 5-Minute Clinical Consult. You can read so much more about her in her SoMeDocs profile here, and even send her an inquiry to say, “Hello, I really love your work!”
But first, let’s see what she had to say when we invited her in for a writers interview.
What have you written? Tell us about it/give us an overview, before we dive in to your work and the writing process.
The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness (Skyhorse, May 2020). Now in it’s 3rd Edition (Mar 2024)
Seductive Delusions: how everyday people catch STDs (Johns Hopkins University Press, Oct 2008), 2nd edition (Mar 2016)
What inspired you to start writing alongside your medical career?
As a family physician, I was frustrated that my extremely well-educated & frankly, privileged, patients were shocked when I diagnosed them with a sexually transmitted infection- clearly their classroom “sex-ed” was not effective, partly because everyone believes these “yucky” diseases don’t happen to people like THEM. Meanwhile, these same patients would ask me detailed questions about their favorite Dr. McDreamy exploits from Grey’s Anatomy. I realized that STORIES are far more powerful than STATISTICS, and wondered if sharing stories of beautiful, successful teens and young adults facing an STD diagnosis would be more effective. I wrote a few stories to use as office pamphlets, but they were so effective that I was encouraged to compile a whole set of stories & thus, Seductive Delusions (then called Stirrup Tales!) was born.
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.
Was there a specific moment when you thought, “I need to write this book/blog”?
Every single time another young person sat on the exam table in front of me sobbing after I diagnosed them with herpes, genital warts, or even HIV- these were the moments I knew I needed to find a- ahem- NOVEL approach to really teaching about STDs.
Years later, as an experienced author, the “moment” I knew I had to write my passion project, The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook, was the day we took our first real college tour for our then junior in high school daughter! I knew she wanted to go to a dream school across the country, and I wanted to package up all my thousands of pieces of doctor mom advice into a book to tuck in her first aid kit!
How does your medical background (if you have a different background, apply it to this question) influence your writing style and topics?
My biggest strength as a family physician is breaking down “medical-speak” into plain language, delivered without judgment, regardless of the inherent awkwardness of the topic. Hangovers, blackouts, STDs, “lost” tampons, infected piercings or tattoos, test anxiety, insomnia- these are all super common problems that newly independent young adults are often extremely shy or embarrassed to address. I write in my books exactly how I speak one on one in the exam room- matter of fact, clear explanations and a sprinkling of humor where appropriate.
For women in healthcare ready to stop waiting for permission, this curated resource brings expert-led lectures on negotiation, advancement, resilience, mentorship, and the strategies needed to break barriers and lead with authority.
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?
So often, and every time, it’s the BEST!! For years I spoke in our community, and new patients at the university would suddenly recognize me as “OMG, you’re the STD lady!” We’d laugh & move on. Since I became the TikTok College Doc, it’s been far more fun (& less embarrassing for any friends or family with me). Now the more common outburst is “Hey, aren’t you the TikTok Doc?” Followed by telling me their favorite tiktok- usually the one about BORGs, ear-piercings, weed, or test (or bathroom) anxiety. Honestly, it’s so rewarding when students wait to speak to me after a talk, and they thank me for helping them with some problem that they thought they were the only one having.
Do you have a strict writing routine, or do you write whenever inspiration strikes, like between patient rounds?
To get things going for my first book, I kept waiting for the perfect time- a weekend away, or better yet a whole week at some secluded cabin or lake house- but that never happened. Ultimately, I had to commit to writing 15 minutes every day- which seemed ludicrous, because it takes me 5-10 minutes to get comfortable & set up! But what I found was when I absolutely committed to that 15 minutes/day, I ended up writing more than that as I squeezed in time sitting in my car waiting to pick up our kids from school, etc. Once you see the writing “on paper” and that first chapter or outline is DONE, it propels you forward.
Find your next favorite healthcare show. Browse our series section for bold voices, real stories, and expert-led conversations worth pressing play for.
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?
My absolute favorite place to write is in ANY college library! I love immersing myself in the energy of a college campus, and then I find my own space in the library to set up my laptop & start writing. Since our girls went to Notre Dame & Loyola Marymount University, I’ve spent the most time in those libraries.
How do you balance writing with a demanding healthcare career (or whatever other profession you’re in)? Any productivity hacks?
HAHAHAHAHA I have no balance!
Do you outline meticulously, or are you more of a “let’s see where this goes” kind of writer?
I do only a basic outline- chapter titles, really, then I dive in. It’s only when the publisher asks me for a more filled out outline that I’ve gone back (usually after writing most of the book) to create summaries.
Your next favorite healthcare writer may already be here. Visit our directory to discover expert authors, blogs, books, and the voices you’ll want to keep following.
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?
Hopefully your directory will become even more of a go-to source for journalists/media & laypeople to find medical experts!
Tell us about your latest book/blog. What’s the heart of the message?
The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness is the perfect gift for a graduating high school student, with practical, evidence-based advice for common illnesses, injuries & anxieties, as well as all the choices and consequences in the “risky business” of college life.
Did you encounter any “doctor-turned-writer” stereotypes while publishing?
YES! I had ZERO idea what was expected for a book proposal, and a NYC agent that didn’t get that I didn’t get it. I was not the classic stereotypical doctor too arrogant to ask for help, but we were speaking two different languages (Publishing & Medical-ese) which made for a super frustrating start. On the flip side, I’ve been accused of being part of the “grammar police” my whole life, so my copy editors have loved that they had little to correct.
You wrote a book – did you go the traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid route? How did you find the process?
Traditional publishing- a university press & then trade publisher.
University press comes with excellent peer review & academic prestige/acknowledgment, but so, so many hoops to jump through along the year of submission.
Skyhorse is a smaller publisher; very frustrating to not be allowed to directly talk with the marketing/publicity people.
Medicine has more doors than most physicians are shown. This SoMeDocs virtual resource brings expert-led lectures on becoming a media expert, life insurance medicine, not-for-profit health care plans, and other career paths worth knowing.
![Non-Clinical Conference: A Beginner's Guide [CONFERENCE]](https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_2306-1-1024x1024.jpg)
How are you marketing your book (besides the collective marketing of SoMeDocs)?
Although I’ve used private publicists in the past with book releases (to get radio, TV & podcast spots), my primary “marketing” now is having a steady presence on social media to my target audience- high school & college students (& their parents).
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?
Definitely 24 (& 36 hour) shifts!!
For me, writing the BOOKS is the easy part. Writing the book PROPOSAL, however, is up there with passing gallstones.
If you could have lunch with any author (living or dead), who would it be and why?
Rick Riordan, author of the YA Percy Jackson series.
Rick & I were friends in high school, and in fact, he was my prom date (as a friend)! Rick is a masterful storyteller (& brought so much awareness & acceptance to the ADHD brain through his fabulous “half-bloods”) and it would be a blast to reconnect with him as grownups 🙂
Your Work Saves Lives. Your Brand Shouldn’t Be Invisible. Isn’t It Time Your Expertise Became a Recognized Brand Build a Physician Brand With Guidance That’s Actually Personal?
What’s one medical myth you’d love to debunk through your writing?
I cannot limit to one!!!
1. “Weed is harmless”
2. Only “that” kind of person gets STDs
3. “EVERYBODY” in college drinks/does drugs/has sex
4. Being able to “handle” your alcohol makes you cool.
If you weren’t in medicine or writing, what would you be doing?
Probably teaching at the college level, but I’d rather be singing backup in a rock band! (Read her 4 Critical Tips for College Freshmen, a 4-part written series we published in our magazine)
Can you share one piece of advice for healthcare professionals who secretly want to write but don’t know where to start?
Don’t wait for the right place, time, or platform to start writing! Pick one- ANY one – and just start writing. You will find your voice & your audience more quickly than you’d expect. Good luck!
If I wasn't in medicine or writing, I would probably be teaching at the college level. But I'd rather be singing backup in a rock band!
