An Inspired Chat with A.V. Smith of Columbus

We recently had the chance to connect with A.V. Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning A.V., it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
It is an excellent question, and it’s taking me some time to really think about it. Intelligence, Energy, or Integrity- which one is most important? Intelligence allows us to develop and apply skills and/or knowledge. It is very beneficial in almost all aspects to move forward or upward. Energy is most effective for sustained mental and physical activity. Still, when I consider all three, I believe integrity is the most important because it embodies qualities of being principled and honest. Without Integrity, all of the intelligence and energy in the world would mean less.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
During the 2000s, I performed locally at various poetry venues and was also a featured poet at The Columbus Arts Festival in the mid-2000s. I realized, however, that my words have a deeper impact when written as opposed to being delivered onstage. In 2019 I wrote Madison: God’s Fingerprint 1.618, and from thousands of books worldwide it won Best Romance (Author Elite Academy). Since then, there have been three additional books released in the Madison Series, Madison: In The Presence of God, Madison: Vengeance is Mine and Madison: Upon This Rock. The first two books in The Madison Series are also available on Audible narrated by Graciela Patino. After a few speed bumps, OHIO 10 I and OHIO 10 II were released. This series is a police-procedural, crime-fiction drama; in a nutshell, each chapter has a separate homicide to solve, but the journey of emotions of the four-person detective group is the glue to each page and growth as the story progresses. They are solid Detectives who find themselves holding accountable even those of the Thin Blue Line. Currently, OHIO 10 Feature Film Script is a few steps away from production. OHIO 10 Audible and other audio book platforms like Spotify is available with Roni Locke and Michael Leon Armstrong narrating. OHIO 10 II Audio Book with Roni Locke, Michael Leon Armstrong and Theo White to be released in a few weeks. Normal Chaos, is Fantasy Fiction with metaphysical concepts and spirituality abundantly spread throughout the story. World-building is ever present in this novel. Normal Chaos is also available on Audible, narrated by Roni Locke. All seven books have reached the #1 Best Seller list in their specific genres based on Amazon rankings.

In the end, I share the perspective and understanding that the spiritual journey is traveled differently up the mountain for each of us, and as the stories in the books are read, it is my hope that my words help others in their walk while at the same time being thoroughly entertained.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
When I look back at my life and think about someone who truly saw me, it was my Aunt Charlotte. At a very critical point in my young life, she gave me protection and peace when everything was a whirlwind. Oftentimes, when we grow up in an environment, we believe that a particular way of life is “normal”. It wasn’t until I got to college that I found most people don’t live in seven different houses before graduating high school. My aunt saw my fear of changing schools three times a year, so she offered me a place in her home, providing stability not only physically and mentally but also spiritually. Over the years, we still have a bond that depends on love and respect. She is brilliant and caring, and I am forever grateful for her. Grandma Redd and Aunt Penny in my Madison Book Series are both inspired by her.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering holds many lessons, as does success. Learning how to redirect energy after falling short, teaching yourself that there’s always room for improvement, and finding new equipment to use in your tool belt. Suffering often provides a baseline that helps prevent us from falling backward because we understand the hardships and struggles we had to overcome. The fruition of success is the goal, but in many cases, it inflates the ego, while suffering diminishes it.
Suffering, long-term though, isn’t anything I’d want for anyone or myself. Long-term suffering can break a living being and keep one in a place of stagnation.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Anyone who knows me will share that Family is the most essential thing. The health of my Family, the direction we take as a unit, and most importantly, ALWAYS including God in our steps, mind, and spirit. Family has been and remains the foundation and security of my life. Family instilled values, and the importance of Family at such an early age was one of the reasons I had no reservations when I donated a kidney to my younger brother. Words are good, but it’s with deeds and actions that people reveal who they are or what they’re capable of. Family is Everything.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m off somewhere deep in the woods—surrounded by the sounds of nature and spending time with oneself. In our day-to-day lives, there are so many transmissions of information that we have to filter out or weed through. So much of my day-to-day life is spent with the public that the hours I use for hiking/fishing/foraging help to reset my mind. During this solitary time, I find myself writing many stories or developing characters because I become more “still” and internally quiet in the moment. It’s also a time of reflection on this “path of life” and what steps should be taken next to continue to glorify The Most High in the stories and characters. My book, Normal Chaos, a Fantasy Fiction novel, features extensive world-building inspired by my hikes and the insights nature provided.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.avsmithbooks.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19y6D5hc2q/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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