Gary Smith was born in 1948 in Hayward, California. After high school, Gary joined the Naval Air Reserve and entered the electrical construction trade. Gary started his own electrical construction company in 1978. This became a large company undertaking large industrial projects throughout the country until Gary’s retirement in 2011, at which point he began writing.
Hello Gary, welcome to BrandEducation and The RV Book Fair! Can you share what first inspired you to begin writing?
In 1994, I was invited to participate in the California State Connections Leadership Project. Halfway through the three-year project, the editor asked if I would consider writing and submitting something for the book. I submitted three articles, and to my surprise, all three were published in the book: Options, Making Connections in Today’s World. Published in 1997.
At the end of the project, the committee held a final meeting to celebrate its completion. Everyone connected with the project was there, and it was a large crowd. At the end of the luncheon, the editor stood and addressed the group from the head table. As the last order of business, he wanted to leave us with one final thought from one of the articles in the book. He began reading my article on my son’s death. Immediately, I recognized my words and became very uncomfortable as the crowd started to look around. At the end of the reading, he asked me to stand. He introduced me and said, “Thank you,” ending the conference.
As I started out, I heard someone calling my name. I turned, and a middle-aged gentleman was heading toward me through the crowd. He approached me and stood there for a second, searching for words. Then he said to me, “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.” Finally, 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 would write.
What is the central message or theme you hope readers take away from more than you know?
The central theme is the importance of good and loyal friends. To never take them for granted.
How has your background or life experience influenced your writing style?
The most significant influence has been other writers. Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Ezra Pound, and others. The author Shelby Foote said. “You cannot be taught to write dialogue in a classroom. You learn by paying attention to how people speak in the workplace. On the docks, in the store, and in the courtroom. The greatest asset a writer can develop is a keen ear and the ability to observe.”
My eclectic work history, which began as a common laborer, progressed through the trades, and culminated in launching a small business that grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, has provided me with a deep reservoir of characters and experiences to draw from.
Raymond Chandler has had the most influence on my writing.
What was the most challenging part of writing or publishing your book, and how did you overcome it?
I am dyslexic, and the most significant challenge was my attention span. I overcome it with jazz playing in the background, writing in the same spot and at the same time, taking frequent breaks, and writing every day.
What advice would you give to new or aspiring authors who are just starting their journey?
Know why you write and stay focused on that. You cannot please everyone. Staying focused on why you write helps with the criticism, which is inevitable, and makes the praise that much sweeter. Develop a discipline to write every day.
What are you currently working on, and what can readers look forward to from you next?
I have just finished the manuscript for a new book, the tenth installment in the award-winning Warren Steelgrave series, titled “And So It Goes.”I hope to have it published by Christmas.
To learn more about Gary, visit: https://garysmithauthor.com/ and https://www.relatable-media.com/the-rv-book-fair