A Message from Gary
As a young boy, I loved to read and treasured my public library card (I walked about two miles one way almost every week to check out books)! Encouraged in college by a professor, I started to write, first as a reporter with a local newspaper then as the copy editor of my university annual.
Since I really liked seeing my name on a story by-line, I thought, “what the heck,” let’s try to put a name on a book. Four non-fiction titles followed. And then I considered what I saw as the Holy Grail. A novel. A year or so later, I walked into a bookstore and saw my name on that first fiction title. That first one led to a second, then a third and now, The Playbook, becomes a twentieth! What a journey.
I could list all of my book titles here, but I’ll point you to the link marked Books for that. Instead, I’d prefer to share here a glimpse into what motivates me as a writer. And what is that motivation?
I write for the same reasons that led me to love reading. Reading carries us to places and introduces us to people we’ve never met or visited and writing does the same for me. It introduces me to amazing people and transports me to fantastic places. When I create a character or describe a place (many which I’ve never visited), I’m transporting myself into the heart and soul of the person and into the history and character of the place. And my greatest hope is that my characters and the stories their lives create do exactly that for you. They bring you into that heart and soul and history and character.
So, whether you’re reading The Playbook or Judgment Tree or any of the other books listed on this site, welcome into the portal of time and place and person. Step onto a football field and meet Chelsea and Ty and Palmer or run into a Civil War battle with Axel and Roscoe and James or insert yourself in any other story and open your senses to what you’ll experience. That’s the value of a book and I hope you revel in the joy of the pages!
A few last notes for those of you interested in my biographical history. A student at Anderson University, a graduate of Furman University, and a Ph.D. from Baylor University. Twenty-five years as a minister, then fifteen years in financial services (yes, that’s quite a twist in the plot)! A public speaker and lecturer to boot.
A husband of a wonderful and talented wife Melody, a dad to two strong, intelligent daughters and a granddad to three outstanding grandsons.
A golfer, (11 handicap for those who play) a biker (the pedaling kind) and lately, an aspiring beginner guitarist. And now writing another novel!
Reach out on the Contact form and let’s talk!
