Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Gary D. McGugan
When did you start writing?
I wrote letters, proposals, advertising copy, brochures, presentations, legal contracts, and assorted other components of a successful corporate career. But the serious stuff started with a work of non-fiction co-authored with a friend and colleague in 2008. From that experience, I developed the confidence to pen 6 suspense novels in the period 2012 to 2022, with more to come!
What makes writing your passion?
I love to tell entertaining stories.
How long have you been writing?
I've written my entire adult lifetime. Serious writing started with NEEDS Selling Solutions (non-fiction) in 2008. My focus on novels started in 2012.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Satisfaction. "Three Weeks Less a Day" is a story that combines my accumulated knowledge of the corporate world with suspense and intrigue. In the story, I introduce all the major characters, so it lays a great foundation for my entire series.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I lived in the corporate world for almost forty years and met thousands of people around the globe. From that experience, I've created unique characters that combined some of the quirks, nuances, and perspectives I observed over those years.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Society today focuses disproportionate attention on relatively few names and personalities. Those lucky enough to benefit generate enormous followings. On the flip side of that equation, our communities need to explore emerging personalities and the works they produce more often and more quickly.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
For me, writer's block is rare. When I'm working on a project, I spend each morning writing and each afternoon take good, long walks to mentally prepare for the following day's output.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I encourage all writers to seek out and join a local writer's community. It's a great way to develop a network of like-minded people and can be a source of information, inspiration, and education.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would give my younger self the same advice I give all young people today. Continue learning. Continue challenging. Keep open as many alternative options as possible with every decision.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, I read every review I can. I deal with the bad ones the same as the great ones. I welcome feedback and seek an opportunity to learn from each reviewer's perspective.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Satisfaction. It's a great feeling to know that my writing connected with that reviewer and evoked a positive response. It's gratifying.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
My stories are all international. I use my extensive travel and experiences living abroad to give my novels a sense of realism, although they're pure fiction.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Fortunately, none of my engaging characters compare with me.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
The cover is important. On a shelf or in an online picture, it needs to attract attention and perhaps convey some context of the genre or story. But the ultimate success of the book depends on the quality and appeal of the story.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I provide my email address, website, social media connections, and telephone number on business cards, in each of my books, on bookmarks, and with other promotional material. I welcome contact.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Recognition is always gratifying.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
John Grisham. He uses his knowledge of the law skillfully, to create engaging stories. His work is consistently excellent.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
My goal is not to be as "big as" anyone. Rather, I hope potential readers will try one of my stories, enjoy it, and buy more novels as their budgets permit. My greatest reward is satisfied readers enjoying my stories and recommending my books to their friends and family.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. I write each story with care and passion. I'm pleased with the final result before any story is published.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I'm more than satisfied with the life I have. I have an outstanding family. My wife and I have enjoyed more than a half-century together. Our son and daughter have become great adults. Our grandchildren are all on paths to academic and business success. I've enjoyed earlier success in the corporate world and now love writing, at my pace, about subjects I find both interesting and entertaining.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I welcome all feedback.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for your unwavering support!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm a writer.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to read, walk, travel, and explore the world.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂