Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gary Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

First, to be successful, you have to find your passion. After finding your passion, you must have the discipline to pursue it every day. It is hard to sustain yourself with other work and still find time to pursue your passion. You have to take setbacks in stride and focus on your dream. If you do this, you will become successful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello. My name is Gary Smith. I am the author of the award-winning Warren Steelgrave series of books. I grew up in Hayward. California and spend half the year in Hayward and half the year in my home in a small village in northern Italy. In my sophomore year of high school, I decided not to go to college. My first significant decision was to drop all my college prep classes. That decision I have never regretted. After graduation, I started my career as a construction laborer.
After a couple years, I became an electrician. Nine years later, I started an Electrical contracting company. Starting with one employee. Thirty years later. It was a multi. $1,000,000 company. Working throughout the United States. After retiring. I began writing.
The author Shelby Foote said. You cannot be taught to write dialogue in a classroom. You learn by paying attention to how people speak at work. On the docks in the store in the courtroom. The greatest asset a writer can develop is a kin ear and the ability to observe. Ernest Hemingway was quoted as saying to write a terrific story. You have to first experience it. My life’s work has undoubtedly prepared me for writing the Warren Steelgrave Series.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My biggest challenge in a writing career is that I am dyslexic and gaining the confidence to write. When writing, the word my is almost always by, and the word job is jop, et cetera. So, proofreading and attention span become big problems. Because of my short attention span, I will write several times during the day. My books have so many mistakes that one proofreader will not find them all. So, four different proofreaders proofread my novels.
I would share this advice. Know your weaknesses and embrace them. They are what make you unique. Never use them as an excuse to hold you back from what you want to do. For example, as a child, I rebelled against being told my being dyslexic was a handicap. I looked up all the great achievers who were dyslexic and saw it as a gift.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I receive an email from someone who acknowledges that something I have written has changed their life, it has given me the greatest of all satisfaction. The second most incredible feeling was being called on stage at a black-tie dinner and given four awards for my books. All creatives have doubts about their work. That was an experience I will never forget.

Contact Info:

• Website: www. garysmithauthor.com
• Twitter: @g_smithauthor

Image Credits

Ted Olczak
Enzo Borgialli