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On The Table Read, “the best arts magazine in the UK“, poet Gary E Smith talks about what inspires his writing, and his new poetry book, A Collection Of Short Stories And Poems.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Gary E Smith about his life and career, what inspired him to write his latest release, A Collection Of Short Stories And Poems, and the creative process behind his work.
My name is Gary Smith. I am the author of six novels and one book of short stories and poems.
The six novels are part of the Warren Steelgrave series of mystery thrillers. The seventh book, A Collection of Short Stories, and Poems, is a collection of twenty-four short stories and eighteen poems. Writing came late in Life. After retirement, I found the small village of my grandfather’s birth in Italy. Returning every year to learn Italian became important. I enrolled in an Italian college class, and it was writing essays in Italian that I found that I loved to write.
At about eight years old, I wanted to write songs. But unfortunately, I am dyslexic, and being only eight, I got very frustrated and put the idea away. At about eight years old, I wanted to write songs. But unfortunately, I am dyslexic, and being only eight, I got very frustrated and put the idea away.
Years later, as a photographer, I photographed feelings other than the scene in the landscape. What I mean is I would have a particular emotion and look for the elements and objects that I could manipulate to produce a photograph that would bring back that emotion. This led to me writing a short poem about what I felt when I took a photograph.
The first book took about seven months.
My latest book took about nine months.
I wanted to get away from the Warren Steelgrave series and write something different. I already had a small collection of poems and photographs. I wanted to challenge myself to write twenty-four short stories in a row.
The biggest challenge was finding twenty-four different stories, characters, and themes. Some stories are one thousand words, some eight thousand words: I am glad I did it. I think I am a better writer today because of it.
I do not think I keep a theme, but the poems in the book, although written over several years, seem to. So, I guess subconsciously, I do. Others have commented on the theme, which is different from what I see.
My favorite poem is Life is but a dance. Gary Zukav, in his book The Seat of the Soul, describes a type of love that is a spiritual love that feeds the soul. I was on a run and thinking about that passage when I came upon the pair of ducks enjoying each other: dancing on the water. I took the photo and wrote the poem when I got back to the car.
Music is a must for me. So, I will write with jazz playing softly. Because I am dyslexic, the music now slows my thinking and anxiety and allows me to write longer.
I do not use an editor. But because I am dyslexic, the book was proofread by four inveigles five times.
My advice is always the same: start. Sit now and write. It does not have to make sense. It can be gobbledygook. But it will start the process to get to what you really what to say. That’s what rewrites are about.
I have a new book in the Warren Steelgrave series next month. It’s titled To Hunt Men.
I have also started another book in the Warren Steelgrave series.
Yes, I am proud that two of the books, A collection of Short Stories and Poems and Vengeance, can be Deadly, won national awards. I enjoy writing, so it is worth the effort.
Web page www.garysmithauthor.com
Twitter @g-smithauthor
Face Book The Willing by GSmith Author.
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