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"I was born in 1947, and studied at UCLA and SFSU, earning a BA in English. I’ve worked as an actor, stevedore, hospital administrator, legal secretary, and typographer.  Am author of  The Pocket Guide to the Internet; Writers.net: every writer’s essential guide to online resources; and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Internet; editor of What Book!? : Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop; and co-translator of three books by Ko Un: Flowers of a Moment; Songs for Tomorrow: Collected Poems 1960–2000; and Ten Thousand Lives."

"I regularly teach workshops in haiku, and mindfulness, and courses at Stanford Continuing Studies (recently, Buddhism; upcoming, the art of happiness). For more information, please see my page at Wikipedia, wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gach; and my home page is: http://word.to."

Thank you Gary for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest projects you've worked on.

Two books on which I’ve worked are now published, this year.  One is the third edition of my The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism.

And the “collected” poems of Ko Un, Songs for Tomorrow, is finally out, after many, many years work. I say “collected,” in quotes, because Ko Un’s published 150 books in Korean.

What inspired you to write this book?

The Complete Idiot’s Guides and Dummies phenomena interested me back when I published an Internet guide, with Pocket Books. Not only a branded series, they’re packaged in a very structured way so as to present a maximum amount information in a bright, tight, and light manner. I felt it was a perfect fit for Buddhism, which is highly structured, and with many facets not covered before in one book, such as the different schools of practice. I revised it after having taught it for three seasons, at Stanford (continuing studies). And it’s updated now to include a variety of developments: from trends in food awareness to the remarkable breakthroughs in cognitive science, not to mention the sharp downturn in the economy.

I first discovered the poetry of Ko Un while I was editing What Book!?: Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop. At the time, next to nothing was available in English. Since then, I’ve felt strongly that his work deserves a wider audience, and hence this collection of poems. Most of us are fairly ignorant of Korean poetry, even if familiar with Chinese and Japanese, and we’re likewise often vague about Korean history, civilization, and culture, which is remarkably unique, vital, and important. Ko Un’s work reflects many major trends in Korean culture of the 20th century. And he’s been not only a witness to modern Korean history, but has taken active role therein. I seem less as an author than a force of nature.

Have you received any awards for your work?

An American Book Award; a Northern California Book Award; and honorary membership, Academy of American Poets.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I’ve been a keynote as well panelist, plus offered workshops at writers’ workshops. It’s all enjoyable, and rewarding. And I’m honored to be represented by Penguin Speakers’ Bureau, if I may give them a shout-out.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Teaching is a great way to get to know your future readers.

What will your next projects be?

My latest manuscript is making at the rounds at Publishers’ Row as we speak: a gathering of and guide to haiku —empowering access to universal creativity, as well as now the most widely-read poetic genre of the 21st century. It could be a series, as likewise the children’s tale I’ve penned, which Lorraine Caparel has exquisitely illustrated, and my agent is likewise shopping around.

While those circulate, I’m whipping together a manuscript of Chinese poetry “made new” with CH Kwock, with some of the greatest poems of all of Chinese history, many never translated before. And on my workbench, a book about spiritual cinema is taking shape.

Word by word.  One breath after another.  It all fits.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

I’m learning to enjoy it all. “The way is easy, for one with no preferences.”

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Getting started — keep at it.

Beginner’s mind is always good. As Zen teacher Suzuki Roshi points out, in the expert’s mind, the choices are few; in the beginner’s mind, the choices are many.  You know the origin of the word amateur? From the Latin root, amat, for love. So why not write for the love of doing it?

And keep at it.  Perseverance furthers. It may feel easy to write on a rainy day, but not on a sunny day.  The pay-off can come in a consistent practice.

And here’s a little tip: forget considering yourself an unpublished author. Why not consider yourself a prepublished author, instead?

How did you get started as a writer?

I remember creating a neighborhood newspaper when I was 10, for the block where we lived.  Wrote my first poem around then too: entitled Return Trip. But, again, I am always starting, really. 

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

Valid question. As far back as memory serves, I’ve had no favorites of my work other than what I’m working on now.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Writing, editing, correspondence, and research. But a writer is always working, no? — even when putting the old feet up on the desk and just looking out the window. (Who separates work and life?) 

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to give a shout-out to some of the people who’ve been of invaluable encouragement: Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, George Oppen, Maxine Hong Kingston, Thich Nhat Hanh, Paul Reps, Jack Hirschman, Lew Welch, Robert Creeley, in no particular order, you’ve each been a touchstone.  “We stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Who is your favorite writer/author?

Who wrote the book of love? 

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Very important, indeed! My current, rotating play list of sing-out-loud tunes includes the cantus firmus (bass line) from Bach’s passacaglia and fugue in C-minor, the chaconne in D-minor from his second violin partita, the Avalokiteshvara mantra, Shenendoah, Goodbye Porkpie Hat, by Charles Mingus, and sometimes just humming a single tone.  AUM!

Thank you Gary! We're looking forward to your upcoming projects on haiku, Chinese poetry and spiritual cinema!