David L. Wraith: The Courage to Become Extraordinary

DAVID L. WRAITH

Beyond The Story With Andrea

Written by Andrea Benitez

David L. Wraith’s story began in Pensacola, Florida, with childhood days filled with family, neighborhood friends and sports. Those early years quietly shaped the athlete, educator, father and author he would become.

But beyond his accomplishments is a thoughtful man fascinated by people, purpose and human potential. I wanted to know more about David—the person behind the titles.

A Conversation With David L. Wraith

Andrea: David, take me back to the beginning. What was childhood like for you growing up in Pensacola?

David: I was born in Pensacola, Florida, where I grew up outdoors, playing sports every day, all day, with a neighborhood full of friends after finishing my chores at home. It was fun, and it was the beginning of my athleticism.

Andrea: Who had the greatest influence on the values and work ethic you developed growing up?

David: My early experiences and values came from my working-class father and mother, who taught me work ethic and quiet discipline. They rarely checked my report card or gave long instructions. Instead, they modeled hard work and diligence by example.

Other adults who influenced me were my sports coaches. They inspired teamwork, coping skills and ingenuity outside of my home.

Andrea: Basketball became such an important part of your life. What did the game teach you beyond being an athlete?

David: Basketball taught me an important life lesson: you need others to achieve your individual goals, and others need you.

It also taught me how to express myself—to be myself and embrace my own way of performing rather than doing everything like everyone else. There is a certain individualism, enjoyment and freedom in being yourself while still understanding the meaning of teamwork.

Through the ups and downs of a season, you also learn how to experience both failure and success.

Andrea: You were recruited professionally by Portugal, Spain and Sydney, Australia. What did that moment mean to you after working toward that dream for so long?

David: It was a big moment in my life and a reminder of my potential and skills as a basketball player. The hard work had paid off.

It felt good and promising. I was extremely confident and felt that I had finally reached a long-term goal and dream.

But I admit I was also somewhat afraid of leaving the States and beginning a new chapter. I think that can happen when you experience a breakthrough in life.

It is a very good memory.

Andrea: There is clearly a deep thinker behind the athlete. Where did your interest in philosophy and psychology come from?

David: I loved philosophy because I was a deep thinker by nature, searching for understanding in most places.

As far as choosing psychology as a minor, I had an affinity for helping others in that realm. I laugh sometimes because I had to play that role quite often.

More than anything, I was always curious and analytical about the underlying principles of nature and humankind.

Andrea: Education eventually became another important part of your life. Why do you believe teaching came so naturally to you?

David: Becoming an educator was almost in my blood. Just about all of my uncles and relatives were teachers, professors and principals.

I still light up today with passion when I'm in front of students or an audience. Even within coaching, I find myself teaching more than anything.

I love seeing others learn and thrive.

Communication is key to penetrating someone's mind or heart. I like to think that is also one of the reasons I became a writer.

Andrea: Before you became an author yourself, what writers and stories helped awaken that part of you?

David: There are so many.

As a youth, I started by reading biblical stories such as King David, Joseph, Moses, Jonah and the last three years of the life of Jesus.

As I got older, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho further fueled my desire to become an author.

I've also enjoyed Stephen King, David Baldacci, Walter Mosley, Stieg Larsson, Michael Connelly and many others. Maya Angelou's poetry influenced me as well.

Film also played a role. Directors such as Spike Lee and Christopher and Jonathan Nolan create unusual but captivating storylines and characters that I enjoy.

There are so many writers from different genres on my list.

Andrea: Your journey into writing began during a very personal chapter of your life. How did stepping away from coaching to focus on your children lead you toward becoming an author?

David: I began my writing journey when I resigned from my position as a head basketball coach to raise my children. They wanted to pursue clubs and sports.

That gave me some time in my study for research, introspection and reflection. Eventually, the stories that had constantly been revolving in my head during the previous years began coming forward.

I learned that it was much like childbirth, I had to get them out.

Once I decided to write the stories, my goal was simple: share and publish.

That's how I became an author.

Andrea: I love your perspective that there is no such thing as writer's block. Explain what you call “idea block.”

David: There is no such thing as writer's block. Only idea block.

Anyone can write. But placing and organizing ideas on a canvas, screen or paper requires logic to create authentic, real-world actions, even in fiction, based on the personalities and nature of the characters.

In other words, authors can run out of ideas when the characters in their stories are no longer logical or authentic in nature. Or perhaps they're dealing with outside distractions.

Either way, I call it idea block.

My stories and novels come from one particular element: my love for extraordinary characters.

In each of my novels, there are characters with special gifts or profound traits that are extreme, radical or different.

Then I simply place them in a difficult situation.

Andrea: Your books have very different stories behind them. Tell me about the inspiration for A Divine Encounter, The Last Quest for Water and All-American Honorable Mention.

David: My first novel, A Divine Encounter, was inspired by the woman who raised me. There happened to be a character who resembled her belief system, which made the story quite touching and ethereal.

The Last Quest for Water was inspired by true events. It was an untold story I was searching for but couldn't find. I couldn't find that mind-blowing international thriller, so I wrote it myself despite its epic stature, layering drama, adventure and mystery during a time of war.

All-American Honorable Mention is also a thriller, where no one should ever underestimate a clever, strong-willed athlete—a real gamer.

I know for sure that all my stories are based on memorable, extraordinary characters that remind us of one thing:

We, too, are extraordinary when faced with the impossible.

Beyond the Story

What stayed with me after hearing David's story wasn't simply where basketball took him, the books he has written or the many roles he has held.

It was the humanity connecting all of them.

A boy watching his parents teach discipline without saying very much. An athlete discovering that individual success still requires other people. A young man excited about an opportunity while quietly admitting he was afraid. A father willing to change the direction of his own life so his children could pursue theirs. And an educator who still lights up when he sees another person learn.

Perhaps that is why extraordinary characters live at the heart of David's writing.

He understands that extraordinary doesn't necessarily mean fearless or perfect. Sometimes it simply means discovering what is inside of us when life places something difficult in our path.

David's story leaves us with a beautiful reminder:

Sometimes the extraordinary isn't something we have to find. It has been inside us all along.

— Andrea Benitez Beyond The Story With Andrea