The Story Behind the Book: The Story Behind Altered by Rob Kaufman

Sunday, February 5, 2023

The Story Behind Altered by Rob Kaufman

I was going to be a psychiatrist.

Yes, that’s right. I was going to have a beautiful office, with two chairs and a cushy sofa. I’d listen to people tell me their problems all day and offer my best “psychiatrist” advice. That’s why I received a degree in Psychology and set myself up to pursue a degree in Psychiatry.

Uh, but wait — that meant getting a medical degree. “Big deal”, I thought. “I
can do that!” Well, after my first day in Physics class and my first hour in
Chemistry class, it was obvious my dreams were about to be obliterated. My
mind just didn’t work that way. It was a left-brain/right-brain thing. The left
brain handles reading, writing and calculations – the “logical” thought
processes. The right brain works more with the visual world, dealing with
imagination, innovation and expression.

Needless to say, I’m a right-brained individual.

With all that said, it’s the reason I’m a writer and not a scientist. It’s also the
reason I wrote “Altered”, a book in which I was able to use my imagination to
create a story with plots and subplots revolving around my dream of becoming
a psychiatrist.

Justin Wright is a renowned New York City psychiatrist who takes on a patient
with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder known also as multiple personalities
and/or “alters”). The creative part of the book was the typical painful process
(rewriting a sentence ten times before I was happy with it), but easier than the
research required to ensure every piece of information I wrote about DID was
correct. There was that left brain again, always having to get in on the action.
It took more time to write than I’d hoped, but between my research, my editor
and my consistent rewrites, all turned out well. In essence, “Altered” has
helped me (and my readers) in a number of ways. It allows me to be the
psychiatrist I’ve always wanted to be… gives readers a chance to escape reality
with suspense and thrills… and also helps people understand that those with
DID aren’t “crazy” or “nuts”. They have a mental health condition that needs
attention and can be managed successfully. Of course, that might not be true
for Justin’s patient, Frank Devlin… but that’s for you to decide.

When Frank Devlin walks into Justin Wright’s office, the renowned New York City clinical psychiatrist decides to take on one of the most challenging cases of his career.

After their first session, it’s obvious Frank has multiple personalities (“alters”) and each one couldn’t be more different than the other. Justin must get to know each individual alter in order to discover the best route to take so that Frank can live a full and happy life. He must also delve into Frank’s past, one filled with mystery, darkness and trauma — the true causes behind his personality split.

As Justin deals with Frank’s issues, he’s also confronted with his own demons: the kidnapping of Michael, his youngest son, seven years earlier… a wife he adores, Mandy, who refuses to accept her son is gone… a constant struggle with his oldest son, Dylan, who was watching over Michael the day the boy was taken. And his problems get worse as, unbeknownst to Justin, Frank and his alters are secretly weaving themselves into his life in ways that will affect the Wright family forever.

A suspense-filled story driven by emotion, angst and the ultimate revenge, “Altered” brings readers down a twisted path of uncertainty and mind games — leaving them shocked, heartbroken and questioning what could possibly come next…

***
“Crazy-good plot lines and shocking information that had me gasping for breath at every turn!” – Anne F., Amazon Vine Reviewer

“It was an amazing ride with tension building throughout until the final twist ending.” – Patricia G., NetGalley Reviewer

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Soft Cover: ISBN:979-8358757523; 329 pages; $13.99; Kindle $7.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BlpCjs

Rob Kaufman novels are known for having characters with whom people can relate, while at the same time, bringing them on a journey from which most people would crumble.

His degree in Psychology was the first step toward getting beneath the surface of the people in his life. What followed was a lifelong search for what makes people tick – what forces them to become evil when deep down they are yearning for love. Rob’s characters walk this search with him, deep into the human psyche, creating psychological thrillers from everyday events.

Rob’s books are perfect for those who enjoy thrillers but also need strong emotion to keep them deeply involved with the characters.

“All my books hit home for me,” says Rob. “There are always parts that make me laugh out loud as I write them… and many, too many, that make me cry. And the great thing is, I’m finding that many readers of my books experience the same emotions.”

Rob’s books receive both national and international praise with most reviews noting that his storylines are extremely “unique” and “sobering” and the twists and turns are “masterful”.

Website or Blog: www.authorrobkaufman.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorKaufman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobKaufman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/745558.Rob_Kaufman