Episode 109: The The prescription for a great thriller with author Cristina LePort

In this episode, I sit down with Cristina LePort, a former cardiologist who traded her stethoscope for a pen to become a medical thriller author. Cristina shares her fascinating journey from dreading writing in school to falling in love with storytelling later in life. She opens up about the her transition from doctor to writer, the delicate balance between technical medical accuracy and page-turning suspense and the parallels between diagnosing patients and plotting a gripping thriller.

We also dive into the realities of the publishing world, including the sting of rejection, the persistence needed to find an agent and the joy of connecting with readers when you do get that book published.

We discuss:

• How medical thrillers allow for exploration of life-and-death situations.

• Balancing technical details with storytelling for the best reading experience.

• How she draws inspiration from paying attention to reality and storing ideas.

• How her Italian heritage inspires her stories

And so much more.

If you’re curious about blending real-life expertise with fiction or need a dose of inspiration to keep going in your own writing journey, this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at crafting compelling medical thrillers. Don’t miss it!

You can find more about Cristina and her books here.

Chapters

03:10 Cristina's Journey from Medicine to Writing

08:35 The Art of Crafting a Medical Thriller

10:00 Inspiration and Research in Writing

15:35 The Importance of a Satisfying Conclusion

16:59 Character Development and Themes

23:34 The Writing Process and Overcoming Challenges

26:38 Future Works and Lessons Learned

29:20 The Journey of Writing and Rejection

31:19 Finding an Agent and Getting Published

32:36 The Writing Process and Daily Routine

42:18 Current Projects and Inspirations