The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril

by Miffie Seideman

Many authors draw from headlines or movies rather than personal experience to write drug-related scenes, and the result may be more fiction than fact. So, how can you craft a convincing scene involving accidental use of fentanyl-tainted pot or a murder attempt with grandma's pain pills?

A much-needed resource, The Grim Reader details how to write medical scenarios that result in realistic page-turners. As drug inaccuracies multiply in screenplays, scripts, novels, and audio plays, Dr. Miffie Seideman, Pharm.D. provides writers (and editors) with the background and authenticity necessary to develop plausible plotlines,

• Pertinent drug facts, tips, and symptoms
• Symptom timelines
• Tips for developing historically accurate scenes
• Common street drug names and slang
• Sample scenarios to demonstrate how to weave the information into a believable scene
• Writing prompts to provide scene starters and offer practice

Combining Seideman's pharmacology knowledge with her love for creative writing, The Grim Reader is the ultimate guide to help authors craft accurate drug scenes and avoid medical mistakes.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2024

Reviews

[David Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many a discerning reader and/or detail-oriented writer, I love a good imaginary murder as much as the next lass or lad. Some unsightly vomit; a wee bit of blood ozzing from the nose and mouth; and an embarrassing amount of poo staining the victim's... well... "southern regions," how does a writer know what drug, in dosages, are just right for those desired effects?

There are several books on the subject of how a writer might go about killing, maiming, or otherwise incapacitate a victim or hero, but most of those books are from a forensic view of murder most foul. This book, THE GRIM READER, is from a pharmacological perspective: what drug / toxin in what dosage will do the trick--- and how it reasonably progresses in the real world to write a believable narrative / descriptive.

My cozy series needed some chemical help when it came to threatening the main character and the law-enforcement officer / potential "love interest" (as cozies are wont to be) trying to put her behind bars. I had the desired symptoms, but not the toxin(s) in mind: this book was/is just the ticket to find what I, and my antagonist, were looking for.

Along the "reading way," as it were, I discovered that humans are batshit crazy with what they consume, inject, insert, and inhale just to get the symptoms most of us sane humans wish desperately to get rid of (and pay top dollar to medical professionals to treat). In humanity's defense, of course, we are just modified, tailless apes. But gosh!

[Judy L. Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things to love about this writer resource. For each class of drugs, there is insightful information about the street names, how the drugs might make someone feel, and how long the effects of the drug last for. Throughout the book, there are also writing exercises and prompts, designed to make you think about how your characters might show signs of the various drugs’ influence.

But it’s not just the narcotics that are discussed. You will also find chapters dedicated to alcohol, antidepressants, and antihistamines. And for a bit of added reading pleasure (and some world-building fun), the history of each class of drugs is also presented.

Seriously, this is a resource that I highly recommend that writers add to their bookshelves.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHOULD BE ON EVERY MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER WRITER'S SHELF!!

This wonderful, well-organized resource is a must-have. If you need to kill, maim, poison or damage your character with a substance, Dr. Miffie Seideman has the answer.

As a physician-author, I get lots of questions from fellow writing buddies on drugs and poisons. I now point them instead to this comprehensive book.

Worth every penny!

[John Lomnicki, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interested in a pharmacists perspective

Enjoyed the format, since it was similar to the way I was educated as a pharmacist. The examples of how drugs could affect characters added realistic perspective. This was actually fun to read.

[Lily Luan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't exactly the target audience for this book as I have zero plans to write a murder mystery. Still, the information was pretty interesting and I learned a lot. I will certainly have a more discerning eye when I read or watch drug-related scenes in the future.