Real Life vs. Fiction: My First Chat with Daniel Hurst

As I sit here in my Italian hotel, "tucked up" with the latest psychological thriller, I’ve been thinking back to where this all started. Every writer has that "lightbulb" moment, and for me, it happened during my very first exchange with author Daniel Hurst.

The Nurse and the Doctor

Being a trained nurse, I’ve spent my career in the corridors where these stories take place. When I first reached out to Daniel, I told him I was marathoning The Doctor's Wife and The Doctor's Widow, but that I was truly waiting to get my hands on The Nurse.

I've worked with the "good doctors," but I’ve also seen (and heard) of some very bad practices. When I mentioned to Daniel that his character Drew isn't actually that far from the truth of what happens in the medical world, he had the best response:

Daniel Hurst: "I’m sure you can tell crazier stories than I can given that you have worked in this world."

From Patient Care to Plot Twists

That exchange really hit home for me. As a "Top Fan," it’s fun to guess the twists, but as an indie author, it’s a reminder that the best inspiration comes from the things we’ve actually witnessed.

Daniel joked that he couldn't wait for me to see the "shock parallels" in The Nurse. I told him then, and I’ll say it again now: I’m not telling my secrets yet... but I might just write them all down someday. ### What's Next? I have a few more of the "Doctor" books to get through before my flight, but the "Nurse" series is calling my name. There’s something deliciously sinister about reading fiction that mirrors the scary realities of your own profession.

To my fellow readers: have you ever read a book that hit a little too close to your professional home?

Katherine Eileen Dowling Retired Nurse, Author, and Top Fan