Behind the Book: An Improbable Psychiatrist by Rebecca Lawrence

Our lovely author, Rebecca Lawrence, has had her debut novel An Improbable Psychiatrist published by Cambridge University Press. It is a powerful and insightful story of mental illness, told through the dual lens of a doctor, who later became a patient. The book has been described as: 'Written with charm, wisdom, and empathy. A poignant and powerful read.' Rachel Kelly, Sunday Times bestselling author of Black Rainbow: How Words Healed Me – My Journey through Depression. We checked in with Rebecca to congratulate her and ask more about her writing and publication journey!

What is your story about and where did you get the inspiration to write it from?

I have to admit that it is about me! However, I hope that it came from a place of humility, as well as a desire to tell my story. I am a doctor who developed mental illness early on in my career, and was ultimately diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I’d always wanted to be a psychiatrist, but thought that door would be shut, given the stigma as regards mental illness. It was indeed a heavy door to open, but I got there in the end, hence the title. It started as An Unlikely Psychiatrist, but I wasn’t very happy with that, and a few synonyms later it became An Improbable Psychiatrist. I think this describes my memoir well.

How close was the experience of being published to what you expected? Were there any big surprises?

I have written a blog, which led to pieces in The Guardian and Prospect Magazine, and have even had some poems published, but getting a book published is difficult. I had some very helpful advice from Monica at Cornerstones when working on An Improbable Psychiatrist, but then began work on a novel, and put the memoir aside. I wasn’t expecting anything when I submitted the proposal to Cambridge University Press, and was completely overcome when they accepted it. I wasn’t very well at the time, and it has meant so much to me to tell my story. I have had so much positive feedback since it was published a year ago, and that has been wonderful, perhaps especially from other people with mental illness who have found it helpful.

What was the most important piece of advice you received while collaborating with Cornerstones?

I have had so much good advice that it’s hard to think of anything in particular! But I think for my memoir, it was that it was a story worth telling. I might, as a professional, seem confident, but I find it hard to believe in myself. I think perhaps the years of illness have sapped my self-assurance; but I also think that writing has slowly brought it back. Most importantly, Monica Chakraverty gave me a lot of guidance in how to tell a profoundly personal story in a way that people might want to read. Over the last year I have been working with Monica on a novel about an entirely fictional psychiatrist, The Mind Reader, and I have simply loved it. I have learnt more about creating a story arc, developing characters, and, my favourite, scattering breadcrumbs! I hope that this novel will be published – and I’ve also learnt not to give up.

What stage in your writing career are you at now? Are you working on anything new?

I have been a bit lax over the last year as regards new writing. I still work half time as a consultant psychiatrist, something I take very seriously, and enjoy a lot, and have also spoken at quite a few events about An Improbable Psychiatrist. Life has been very busy, but recently I have started drafting a few ideas for another novel. I’m an amateur violinist, and would like to write about a string quartet, but only if I can create a good story arc – and make it funny.

If you could go back and talk to yourself just before you started writing your first manuscript, what would you say to yourself?

Don’t be afraid, and be prepared to change it!