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 Interview with Sandra Ceren, author of Prescription for Terror (Andrew Scott Publishers, 1999) a psychological thriller set in San Diego. A gripping debut novel which explores the mind of a serial rapist and killer and exposes an unexpected peril of managed care.A clinical psychologist, Dr. Ceren has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Psychology Today, national radio, TV and print media as an expert in psychology. Read Sandra Ceren’s full biography. E-mail: sandyLev@Juno.com Read our review of Prescription for Terror Feature by PJ Nunn PJ NUNN - I understand that Prescription for Terror is your first published work of fiction. Are you still a practicing psychologist? SANDRA CEREN - Yes. I keep my license in force, take continuing education courses, pay all the dues, read the journals, but see a handful of patients now. I spend most of my time writing and promoting my work. It’s obvious from the story that managed health care has had an effect on the practice of psychology. How did/does it effect your practice? From childhood on, I have enjoyed reading and longed to write. Mysteries, for me, are most enjoyable. Figuring out the puzzle intrigues me. Unlike real life, in mystery novels, justice often is fair. Usually, everything is neatly tied in the end. The reader closes the book and smiles with satisfaction. I was so busy seeing patients that writing, for me, was an unfulfilled dream. I'd start a few short stories, and then bury them under a stack of paperwork. Then managed care came along. I couldn't abide by the restrictions, the waste of time on the phone trying to beg for needed sessions or for payment. It became impossible to practice psychology the way I had learned - the way it brought results. Managed care pushed for quick cures--often prescribed drugs were preferred - without consideration for adverse effects or whether they were the best treatment. As more and more patients enrolled in the system through their employers, my practice became unfulfilling. Many empty hours soon became filled with writing. I took creative writing classes, joined critique groups and set out to complete a novel in which managed care starred as a villain. Talk about revenge and catharsis! I especially appreciate the portrayal of interaction between Cory and her clients. How realistic is that? For the most part, it is my real style. Toward the end of the book, Cory bends the rules and her work with Erin was not exactly "kosher." All writers draw from life experience, but confidentiality is touchy in the mental health field. When you sat down to write PFT, how did you prevent actual client information from sneaking into the characterizations in recognizable form? No actual patients are portrayed in my work. The characters and their stories are fabricated from a composite of people I knew many years ago, or from my imagination. Is there a sequel in the works? Can you tell us about it without spoiling anything? I would love to. Secrets from the Couch is a whodunit. It is a completed, edited, polished work awaiting publication. Cory's patient, a prosecutor and a candidate for San Diego District Attorney, comes to her in terror and anger. Someone has learned the secret she had shared with Cory. Morgan fears her career is in jeopardy. Following the therapy session, Morgan is scheduled to prosecute her adversary. But Morgan does not appear in court. She vanishes. Her secretary, Sara, claims Morgan had a family emergency and had to leave town. Cory is unconvinced. Having carefully guarded patients' records, Cory must discover the source of the leak and what happened to her patient. This story has a bit of romantic intrigue, suspense and puzzling characters. I hope to announce the publication date soon. What element of the writing process do you enjoy most? I enjoy creating characters, scenes and stories. I am fond of research because it increases my knowlege. Revision is a challenge, too. Actually, I love writing. Least? When a fatal flaw is discovered and I have to revise because I goofed. I feel foolish and annoyed with myself for making an error. Sometimes I assume the reader knows exactly what I mean only to find it "ain't necessarily so." As a writer, where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now? I'd like to continue the Cory Cohen series--have her grow old with me. I envision her as a spry senior citizen chasing after bad guys. I'd also like to write short stories. I have written quite a few and I expect one to be published in the near future. I'd also like to use my clinical skills to help other writers. It's so easy to despair in this strange business. What is the most valuable lesson you've learned through the publishing process and what advice can you offer those who are not yet published? Getting published was the hardest thing I've ever done in my career - harder than earning my Ph.D. Don't believe the hype that published writers earn a fortune. Very few do. Most do not and they have other jobs which help pay for their book promotional costs. Don't fall for scams from agents who want fees to read your manuscript or who recommend editors. Do not allow yourself to be pulled under by rejection from agents and publishers. If your work has been professionally critiqued and edited, assume it is WORTHY of being published. However, you must accept the reality that having a book published is truly a "CRAP SHOOT." I have read excellent manuscripts that have languished on the desk of agents and editors, perhaps for arbitrary reasons. I have also read books that were a mystery to me - a mystery because they were published with obvious plot flaws, or poorly defined characters. It's all so subjective. Taste is personal. Rejection of your work by unknown agents or editors is not necessarily a reflection of poor work and certainly not a rejection of you as a person. Getting published usually is a long, frustrating process. Here's what you can expect. I wish you good luck. 1. Finding adequate representation is daunting. Ask a published author for a recommendation. Be prepared to WAIT for a response to your packet containing a query, synopsis and 20 or so pages of the manuscript. This can take MONTHS. Send simultaneous submissions despite what you've heard to the contrary. 2. You find potential representation. Great. The agent is interested and asks for the whole manuscript. SUBMIT AND WAIT MORE MONTHS. 3. Either the manuscript is rejected or it's accepted. You're ecstatic. The agent sends a contract. Read carefully. Show it to an expert. 4. All clear. You've landed an agent, but now you must wait until he/she finds an interested publisher. That is another huge hurdle and your patience thins. START ANOTHER WRITING PROJECT. 5. A publisher options your manuscript. Doesn't mean they'll offer a contract. Be prepared for more waiting. 6. Rejected. They use the word "Pass" means "Here's the exit, now scram, buddy." 7. Accepted! Rejoice. But be prepared. They may decide not to publish it after all or offer you a pittance and little promotional support. Warning! Don't make getting published your raison d'etre. Do not lose faith in yourself and in your ability. Rejection by the publishing world is not a reflection of your unworthiness, but rather the fickleness of the industry. And once you become published, the REALLY hard work begins. PROMOTION. Sandra Ceren welcomes your comments. E-mail: sandyLev@Juno.com |
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