A Conversation with the Author of Freeze Frame and Med Hunters
Tyler Beauchamp discusses his journey as a paediatrician and bestselling author, exploring mental health, creative writing, and his new series.
Tyler Beauchamp stands as a remarkable beacon of creativity and compassion in today’s literary landscape. As a Pediatric Resident and Children’s/YA Author hailing from Georgia, Ty’s dual commitment to medicine and storytelling reflects a profound understanding of the complexities of youth. Graduating from The University of North Carolina, he has seamlessly intertwined his passions, producing works that not only entertain but also resonate deeply with the experiences of young readers. His debut novel, Freeze Frame, quickly ascended to the pinnacle of success, becoming an Amazon #1 Bestseller in Coming-of-Age fiction, while its forthcoming television adaptation signals a bright future for his captivating narrative.
In this interview, we delve into the heart of Beauchamp’s creative process, exploring the rich themes of identity, trauma, and the profound impact of mental health. His insights reveal not just the narrative choices behind Freeze Frame but also the inspiration drawn from his experiences during the pandemic, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by adolescents. This desire to connect, uplift, and heal is evident throughout his work, as he masterfully crafts stories that encourage young adults to seek help and share their burdens.
Beauchamp’s upcoming series, Med Hunters: Rage of the Rhino, promises to take readers on an exhilarating journey, blending the realms of medicine and fantasy in a way that is both imaginative and accessible. As he balances the demanding roles of physician and author, his dedication to fostering the well-being of his patients while captivating the hearts of his readers is nothing short of inspiring.
Join us as we explore the world of Tyler Beauchamp—a storyteller whose unique voice adds a vital layer to the discourse on mental health, resilience, and the transformative power of narrative. His journey from independent filmmaking to becoming a bestselling author serves as a testament to the healing capacity of stories, reminding us that, ultimately, literature holds the power to connect us all.
A heartfelt exploration of adolescent struggles, blending medical insight and powerful storytelling.
How has your medical background influenced the themes and character development in your novel “Freeze Frame”?
While this story isn’t about medicine, so to speak, it touches on themes that are pervasive in adolescent medicine: loss of identity, self-harm and suicidality, trauma and PTSD. I wanted to tell a story to help young adults struggling and help them feel heard. Freeze Frame was made to highlight how everyone lives out their own trauma uniquely and to encourage us all to ask for help when we need it.
“Freeze Frame” addresses issues such as childhood trauma, PTSD, and mental health. What inspired you to explore these particular topics in your writing?
During the pandemic, I saw so many kids and adolescents struggling with their mental health, isolated during a time in their lives designed for interaction. In the hospital or in clinic, you hear so many of them express concerns of being alone. All you want to do is open every door, have them step out in the hall, and see they are anything but alone. That’s where stories can go where medicine can’t. Stories connect us in ways we can’t ever imagine. They lift us up, and they bring us together.
The protagonist in “Freeze Frame” grapples with an ever-changing reality. Could you elaborate on the significance of this narrative choice and its intended impact on readers?
I think it’s brutal the amount of pressure the world places on teens today. They simultaneously are told they’re too young and don’t understand enough while also being told they have to be perfect to have a good future. It’s no wonder rates of anxiety and depression have never been higher. I wanted my protagonist to exemplify that internal struggle, and more importantly, how to find the road to healing.
Your upcoming series, “Med Hunters: Rage of the Rhino,” features twins with superhuman abilities combating fantastical monsters. What can readers expect from this new venture, and how does it differ from your previous work?
Get ready, because Med Hunters is heading in an entirely new direction! Rage of the Rhino, the first book in my new series, will take young readers on an exciting sci-fi adventure that brings the world of medicine to life. After an experiment gone wrong turns diseases into fantasy monsters, the town of Marshboro is under attack. Luckily, twins Beck and Timmy Lewis are here to save the day. With the help of a friendly, mad scientist, Beck and Timmy must master their newfound bio-powers to hunt down these medical monsters before everyone falls untreatably ill.
Balancing a career in paediatrics with writing must present challenges. How do you manage your time between these two demanding professions?
Honestly, the answer isn’t sexy. The old adage “You make time for the things you love” holds true. The counterintuitive secret is that when you make time for the things that fill you with life and joy, you find time for everything else. The beauty about writing is that 99% of it isn’t putting words to page. Most of writing is thinking about your stories, picturing your characters, feeling your themes. No matter how busy life gets, there is always time to take a moment to close your eyes and think. The more you practice that, the more you find time to put those thoughts on the page.
“Freeze Frame” has been adapted into a television series currently being pitched to streaming services. Can you share any insights into this adaptation process and what viewers might anticipate?
The process has been a dream come true. Over the last few years, we’ve adapted the story into a limited series, filmed a proof-of-concept pilot, and are currently pitching the series! I’ve caught myself crying only a few hundred times seeing my characters come to life and picturing the idea of spreading this story to an even wider audience. I think both readers of “Freeze Frame” and newcomers are going to fall in love with what is heading their way.
Your journey from independent filmmaking in Savannah to becoming a published author and paediatrician is remarkable. How have these diverse experiences shaped your storytelling approach?
I really started writing as a kid because of my chronic pain, spending so much time in waiting rooms or just in a bad mental state, I needed an escape. I never thought that my life would end up revolving around writing and medicine years later. Having a foot in two wildly separate worlds, I hope to bring them together in a way that hasn’t been done to truly serve kids and young adults. Medicine allow us to do miraculous things and sustain life, stories allow us to sustain our soul. I hope my experience in medicine will not only help me protect my patients’ hearts, but I intend to keep writing stories to help my patients and others like them feel heard.
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors, especially those balancing writing with other professional commitments?
Biggest advice for writing: Start. Right now. Don’t wait for the right class, mentor, or moment. Start getting words on the page as soon as you can, and don’t be afraid to throw away 90% of what you write. You’ll find sometimes, after hours of writing; you might only have a sentence or two you really like.
But if that’s what it took to get that little piece of gold, it was worth it. Second, you’ll find a lot of advice on “finding your process,” and I promise all of it comes down to trial and error. There isn’t a formula, and you’ll be told everything that worked for other people: it doesn’t mean it’s for you. Take it all with a grain of salt. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try something new, but trust your process. If you really want to write, part of you has to treat it like a job…especially if you have another job.
Carve out a said time for it every day or every week, and absolutely protect that time. Even if you don’t get a single usable word out of it, you spent that time finding what you didn’t want to include. That’s just as important. Lastly, never forget you are meant to make people feel something. A good story wraps you into a new world and captivates you in ways you never expect. At the end, you feel relieved, sad, angry, or jubilated. But you feel. It’s a blessing to make people feel; never forget that.
