Robert E. Smith

THE SHORT OF IT: In an attempt to avoid the uncertainties of a career in the arts, all my educational and occupational pursuits involved some form of technical training, e.g. electronic engineering and commercial pilot. During all of it, since age 16, I made a living playing music. But in the end, when I got honest with myself, I chucked it all and became a career, songwriter, recording engineer/producer, and finally, after I had completely lost my mind, a novelist.

The things I've learned of any importance, I've learned through self-study, 1200 books that Ive collected, and by the grace of God. "If you've got any guts, go to the library and educate yourself." --Frank Zappa