Kirk Withrow, M.D., assistant professor and otolaryngology surgeon, knows he probably doesn’t get enough sleep, but his interests keep him busy. He has published two novels in two months and plans to write two more novels.
“I like to make things,” Withrow said. “I do make cigar-box guitars and various other instruments. I play and write music on occasion. I also do some woodworking, painting, woodcut/linocut printing and mixed media art. If one thing becomes dull, I just shift over to something else for a while.”
Withrow said his creative outlets help keep his mind well-tuned, which has a positive effect on his work at UAB.
“What I’m writing is fiction,” Withrow said. “So, in a way, it is really a thinking exercise — essentially problem-solving. I get an idea and come up with a point A and point B. The trick is to come up with an effective way to get there. Being able to think like that will enhance every part of your life, work or otherwise.”
Withrow’s first novel “Four,” published by Severed Press in November, is a psychological, military and medical thriller that pits a former Marine against his personified illness. Withrow said he relied heavily on his background in science in medicine when writing the book.
“(The book) really all started with a disease,” Withrow said. “I thought it would be interesting to make the victim and the disease co-main characters rather than just telling the story from the human perspective.”
His second novel “Threnody,” also published by Severed Press in January, is the first in a trilogy of post-apocalyptic thrillers. “Threnody” was actually the first book Withrow wrote, but a delay in publishing led him to write “Four.”
“Honestly I never really considered writing fiction until I decided to do it,” Withrow said. “I’m still not exactly sure when or why I decided to do it — I just started and kept going.”
So, when does Withrow have time to write? He makes time early in the morning, when his wife and three children are fast asleep.
“Most of my writing is done from 3:30-5 a.m.,” Withrow said. “I generally train boxing or jiu jitsu from 5:30-7 a.m. most days then head to work afterward. Wash, rinse and repeat. I don’t watch television and probably don’t sleep enough.”
Withrow has been at UAB for more than 11 years, including his residency, and previously made headlines for his cigar-box guitars. He was featured in the UAB Magazine and on CNN’s website for his hobby.
Both of Withrow’s books can be found on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
