At first glance, the worlds of veterinary medicine and literature might seem as far apart as any two endeavours could be.

Veterinary medicine is about facts. Animals get sick for a reason and it is the job of a veterinarian to first find the cause of the illness and then decide on the best treatment. Very little of what a vet does is about opinion. We are usually right or wrong when we go about our work. Most of the questions that we are asked have one correct answer.

Writers, especially writers of fiction live in a different world. When we write, intentionally or not, our work is filled with our opinions. The best writing tells about the world not as fact but as we understand it.

Writing and veterinary medicine also tend to attract different types of people. Anyone who starts into clinical veterinary medicine soon discovers that a critical part of the job is interacting with people. The vet who can’t relate to his or her clients is at a serious disadvantage in their efforts to help animals.

In order to write seriously, a writer must be happy to be alone. As romantic as the life of a writer may seem, it consists largely of sitting by themselves in a room in front of a computer, typewriter or pad of paper. The solitary nature of the job seems to be a big draw to many writers. Writers often tend to be introverts who are happy writing without distraction.

So why would a veterinarian ever want to be a writer?

Writing is about communicating. Writers have a story or an idea and a desire to share that story or idea with others. People who write well are those who can clearly show things to others.

Perhaps the best veterinarians have this same skill that writers have. A vet who can explain problems and solutions to owners will be more successful than one who cannot.

It makes sense that veterinarians who enjoy communicating and do it well might be drawn to writing.

Stephen King in his wonderful book “On Writing” says that there are two requirements for a good book. The author needs a good story and must be able to tell it well. Just about every veterinarian ha

s a good story, most people are interested in animals and their treatment. For the vet who can tell these stories well there is a huge opportunity to write successfully.

Throughout my career as a veterinarian people suggested that I should write a book about my experiences. I’m sure that vets across the world are given the same advice. In many people’s eyes, the life of a vet is a fascinating one and for those who can and love to communicate there is opportunity to produce enthralling books.

You can find Andrew’s books on this website…

under Veterinary Nonfiction and Memoir tabs and on our Home Page!

Meet Andrew

Andrew Peacock’s lifelong fascination with animals began during summer holidays spent with the dog and cattle on his grandparents’ farm. Summer jobs working with the provincial government later introduced him to the world of wildlife. He completed an undergraduate degree at Trent University and then a veterinary degree at the University of Guelph. Immediately after graduating from Guelph he moved into solo practice on the island of Newfoundland off the east coast of Canada. The job promised work with the usual complement of farm animal patients – cows, horses, pigs, goats and chickens. He soon found himself working with species as diverse as bald eagles, moose, humpback whales, lynx and ostriches.

Outside of vet work Andrew has enjoyed a variety of extra-veterinary activities. Along with enjoying photography, kayaking, triathlons and camping, he holds a third degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and has run the Boston marathon.

Find out more about Andrew on his Author page here

Find Andrew’s first book here

 

Thank you so much for blogging with us today, Andrew, and thanks so much to you readers for visiting! Join our HNVB Book Club and our HNVB Blog via the forms in the right sidebar to keep in touch!

Happy riding and vetting!

xx

Lizzi Tremayne