Interview with Author Gary Smith

HELLO AUTHOR GARY SMITH, WELCOME TO WORLDAUTHORS.ORG! TELL US WHAT DRIVES YOU TO WRITE? YOUR MOTIVATION AND THE PURPOSE OF YOUR BOOK(S)?
In 1994 I was asked to participate in the Connections Leadership Project for the State of California. I authored an article about my son’s death, which was read at the closing of the final meeting.
As I started out, I heard someone calling my name. He approached me and stood there for a second, “I couldn’t let you leave without saying,” he paused, composing himself. Then continued,” I, too, have had a devastating loss recently. However, your words have given me a new perspective. You changed my life.” He reached for my hand, shook it, turned, and left, disappearing into the crowd.
That was the moment I understood why people write and why I write.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GET OUT OF YOUR BOOKS?
I hope my readers find the stories engaging and entertaining, and the stories encourage the reader to do some introspection on what it means to be human.”

HOW WILL THEY FEEL OR BE DIFFERENT AFTER READING IT?
A greater connection with others.

WHAT BOOKS DID YOU READ AS A KID/YOUNG ADULT? WHAT ARE YOU READING TODAY?
Between the fifth and eighth grades, I read many of the classics. Examples are the Candleberry tales, To Kill a Mockingbird, Treasure Island, Cyrano de Bergerac, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and many others. Today I am reading Dashiell Hammett by Sally Cline.

HOW HAVE OTHER AUTHORS INSPIRED YOUR WRITING?
Raymond Chandler for character development and the flow of a story. Ernest Hemmingway for sentence structure and the common man’s frank language and character.

WHAT IS ONE THING IN YOUR BOOK THAT WILL SURPRISE READERS?
The depth of emotion in each of the stories.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?
I am excited to have won an award for my last book. A collection of Stories and Poems and Vengeance Can Be Deadly; book five of the Warren Steelgrave series. I have just finished the sixth book in the Warren Steelgrave series. 

ARE YOU PARTICIPATING IN ANY EVENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Several years ago, I was part of a group that started a music academy in a small village in Italy. Students apply from around the world for the few spots available. This year we have two students, refugees from Ukraine. Our group also has a small gallery in the village to support local artists, painters, sculptors, ceramists, and writers. In addition, it holds events for the artists to do poetry reading, talk about their works, et cetera. These activities allow me to experience a diverse group of people and situations that add texture to my novels.

To know more about Author Gary Smith, you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and the Website.