Arts & Entertainment
Dentist by Day, Novelist By Night ... And Now Hollywood Has Come Calling?
Keith White fills cavities for his day job. In his off hours, he has written a page-turning action adventure novel about World War II, a quick trip to the future and a hero named Jack Sullivan.
Who among us hasn't thought of writing a book? Walnut Creek dentist Keith White literally put his money where your mouth is and did just that.
And now, Hollywood has come calling. A successful dentist for 26 years, White has filled many, many cavities. He also has written a page-turning action-adventure novel, The Portal. It is described as a World War II adventure that features, yes, Nazis, a quick trip to the future and an all-around good-guy hero named Jack Sullivan, who is forced to flee the country because he's been framed for a murder.
Walnut Creek Patch sat down with White, a USA Book News first-place winner for fiction, and, yes, drilled him about The Portal.
Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Q: Have you always wanted to write a book?
A: Yes and no. I had a story in my head that I wanted to develop and then turn it over to a "real" author so they could write the book. I had very little confidence when I first started writing but I persevered, got better and better, and thought why not write it myself.
Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Q: How long did it take you to write the book?
I was writing it in my mind for years, but from the time I seriously started writing until the book was actually published, it was about 18 months.
Q: Do you write in between seeing patients?
A: Never. I was very disciplined and wrote from 4 until 7 a.m. Then I'd get dressed, change hats and practice dentistry.
Q: Is the book's action hero, Jack Sullivan, your alter ego?
A: Yes, to some degree. I have been to most of the places in the story, and they were part of my inspiration. Of course, I wish it were my life's story but let's face it, Jack's life is far more interesting than mine.
Q: Are you as adventurous as Jack?
A: Maybe in my dreams! True, I am a pilot, a competitive sportsman and trekked through regions of the Amazon jungle; but believe me, I'm no Jack.
Q: So I understand that you are "in talks" with Hollywood about your book?
A: Yes, there has been two screenplays written already, but the road to stardom isn't so easily paved. I have had two different groups interested in getting "The Portal" to a production company, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up until the deal's signed.
Q: Do you think this Jack Sullivan will be the next Indiana Jones?
A: He could be, if it's done right. I'd like to see his character a little less corny than Indiana Jones, but that's up to the producers and director. They study their viewers to determine where their biggest audience will come from. I assume they'd make the movie based on those numbers and estimated profits.
Q: Are you working on another book?
A: I have written two very interesting outlines for sequels to "The Portal" and am excited about where the story goes next.
Q: Do your patients know you're a novelist?
A: Yes, most of them do. I am not shy with my patients and I have known many of them for such a long time. I am very fortunate that I am able to spend my days with patients who are more like friends.
Q: Does Jack see a dentist in the book?
No, I stayed away from that. I suppose I could come up with some really good torture scenes for the next book, but then I might lose all those great patients.
