Interview with Cary Smith, author of 'Four Corners Or a Book That Will Tickle Your Intellectual Nipple'

Cary Smith, the nom de plume of Greg Hawkins, lives in San Jose, CA. He became interested in books and writing because of a teacher. His favorite book is "Hocus Pocus," by Kurt Vonnegut or “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He is currently either going to finish his collection of short stories next or turn one of his short stories into a novel, which would be a new take on the ghost genre.

His latest book is Four Corners, Or a Book That Will Tickle Your Intellectual Nipple.

Visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tickleintellectual.

Thank you for this interview!  I’d like to know more about you as a person first.  What do

you do when you’re not writing?

I am a full-time substitute teacher in San Jose, CA. I’m very into sports, but try not to live my life by them. Lately I’ve been lazy, but I generally like to be active and do things outdoors.

When did you start writing?

After high school.

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

When I was getting no response for “A Book That Will Tickle Your Intellectual Nipple,” from agents, etc, all of those types, that I continued on, waited until I felt the work was truly ready, and published it myself.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

The Greek Isles. I’ve always wanted to go there. I would probably never set a book there, but would definitely lie to a publisher and say I was to go there for free. I would of course still write a book there, it would just have nothing to do with the Greek Isles.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

Tell whoever gave me that extra time, that the days are already long enough.

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

Well, the Greek Isles for reasons already mentioned.

Back to your present book, Four Corners or A Book That Will Tickle Your Intellectual Nipple, how did you publish it?

Went through Createspace, since they were the first ones who popped up, and went from there. I used Bookbaby to publish it on other electronic devices.

In writing your book, did you travel anywhere for research?

I wish. I was too poor. I was living with my parents in one of the most expensive places in America to live. I already had experiences in life though.

Why was writing (Four Corners or A Book That Will Tickle Your Intellectual Nipple) so important to you?

I can’t really say that it was.

Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?

From sitting around, people watching, and that is probably because I am insane.

Any final words?

Thank you, and I hope if anyone reading this actually purchases my book, that it is a decent read.