Q&A with C.B.Strul – Author Interview

C.B Strul writes with the kind of imagination that immediately pulls readers into bigger questions about time, existence and the human experience. In this Q&A interview, we explore the inspiration behind Quantum Marble in the River of Time, the creative process that shaped the story and the ideas that continue to influence Strul’s writing. Thoughtful, engaging and refreshingly honest, the conversation offers a fascinating insight into both the author and the world behind the book.

From discussing storytelling influences to exploring the deeper themes woven throughout the novel, C.B Strul shares an open and personal look at life as an author. Whether you are already a fan of speculative fiction or simply curious about the creative minds behind ambitious storytelling, this interview offers an enjoyable and insightful read that goes beyond the usual author questions.

About The Author

Tell us more about you.

I grew up in South Florida. As a kid, I did a lot of theatre. It gave me, I think, a very interesting perspective on storytelling because I would spend my time focusing on one individual character’s arc instead of the entire story of the show. When I got into writing, it must have come, in part, from those experiences. Being wrapped up in the culture of a performing body. Being pushed and inspired by things I’d never seen or known about before. For your information (and this has absolutely nothing to do with the kinds of books I write), my favorite show we did was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?

Can I say a sat-phone or is that a cop-out? Hmmm. How about a complete copy of The Lord of the Rings. That only counts as one item by the way. So, let’s add a vat of Kiyomi Rum in there… with a spigot so I don’t need to take up the last item with a cup here. Third, I guess, would be a massive mantra journal… you know, the kind with the fancy paper with pages that are as big as a gorilla’s chest? Oh damn, but then I forgot a writing implement. I guess I’m not very good at this exercise.

Who is your biggest role model?

Gotta be Ursula K Le Guin. Hard to think of a more grounded, defiant, powerful, or practical figure in our literary history. If you’ve never seen her hand written agenda for a day of writing, it’ll tell you everything you need to know about what it should take to be a great author.

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov, but can I add a second for good measure? The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobook?

Physical books for me. I tried the e-book route for a while, but it wound up hurting my eyes. As for audiobooks… I like to listen to music while I read (and while I write). So that would probably be too much contradictory noise for me.

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

Writing is my passion and my main thing. But I haven’t hit that point yet where it’s the only thing I can do. I still bartend two days out of the week which can be really enjoyable depending on the clientele. Unfortunately, I have to limit the days I go in because I find it incredibly difficult to find the necessary creative energy to be able to write before or after a shift.

What social media platform do you like and use the most?

I personally love instagram though I have been dabbling in threads and TikTok. Oh, Goodreads is cool too! Links to my socials:

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new novel?

I’ve gotten used to saying that “I’m a dreamer.” What that means is both easy and incredibly difficult to define. I can develop an idea from all sorts of places, but usually I don’t begin on a project until I’ve had a true, lucid dream about the subject matter. I find that once my mind has sufficiently created a world that I can explore while I’m asleep, that’s when I’m really onto something. Once this has happened, I begin leaving myself helpful notes here and there throughout the day that can include anything from a group of names of characters and places to an entirely sketched out structure for the pacing of the novel. It’s the kind of thing that’s hard to necessarily recommend to other writers as a process because it’s tough to know when or how the dream will hit me. But, in my case, it’s happened enough times now that I’ve found I can rely on it.

Where do you like to write?

I can write almost anywhere. AirPods in… out in the yard, at a museum, in the park, at a table in the living room. I haven’t had a proper writing desk in years, so I’ve had to make due. One day I’ll make a point of getting myself a writing desk again, but after everything I’ve been through, it’s hard for me to believe I’d use it as my exclusive writing spot.

What do you like most about writing?

I can vividly dream all day and no one gets mad at me for it. I get to explore the depths of my mind and read, research, and learn about all sorts of cool subjects that most people don’t need to consider or interact with on a regular basis. I kind of feel like I get to keep being a kid playing around in the backyard even though I’ll be turning 38 later this year. I think it keeps me feeling young.

What do you find stops you from writing more?

As I said before, it’s really tough to write when I have a work shift on the same day. I’ve made it happen in the past, but it’s definitely draining to try and get both things done. Additionally, if there’s a lot of commotion at home… if we have a big project or there’s something important/serious going on, that can be a factor. Full disclosure, I live with my wife and her extended family. We have four dogs here. There’s always something going on, so I’ve got to be serious about getting my writing time in whenever it’s available, because someone might need my help at a moments notice. Fortunately, my wife is very understanding of this and helps me to make the time I need. It’s amazing to have her in my corner.

What genres do you like to write and why?

I write Science Fiction. But when I say that, it’s complicated, because I believe that sci-fi is more of an environmental genre which still requires emotional genres (like comedy or horror) and circumstantial sub-genres (like Space Western or CyberPunk Techno Jungle) tagged on before it actually means anything. My books run the gamut of what sci-fi can be… from First Contact (The Ancient Ones) to Dystopian (CONNECTIVITY) to Space Opera (Papillon IV)… now I’m even working on a series of chapter books that deal with quantum mechanics and science facts (Quantum Mable).

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

Keep the main thing the main thing. Don’t forget to write. Write as often as possible. Once the work is written, it will always be written. You can grow on that, build on it, become better at your craft. Keep pushing and someday someone will take notice.

Showcase Your Book!

How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?

I have three novels out right now (The Ancient Ones, CONNECTIVITY, Papillon IV) and I’m releasing my first youth chapter book this summer (Quantum Mable in the River of Time).

It’s a loaded question asking which one of these is my favorite. They’re all my babies. But, at the moment, I’m still in a honeymoon phase with Papillon IV which came out last August. I feel that, when I wrote that novel, I was kind of on a different plain of existence. It came so naturally to me even though the subject matter could have been jumbled and difficult to connect. I never once hit a snag during that writing process… even though it takes place over the course of a thousand years. I think it helped me a great deal that I found the Ao story early on in the process of putting the book together.

Essentially, Ao is in the future and she is learning a series of lessons from a super computer, so there’s always someone to come back to and connect with even when the facts being stated are worlds apart. And in the end, I feel like I managed to bring everything together with a metaphorical chef’s kiss. not trying to toot my own horn, but it’s a book worth your time even if you don’t usually read sci-fi.

How long did Quantum Mable in the River of Time take you to write?

It’s funny. Quantum Mable is my shortest book since it is intended for youths ages 8-13 (my niece is 9 right now and I wrote it for her). But, even with the shortened, finished product, it still took me six months to complete the manuscript… which is about how long each of my other novels’ first drafts have taken.

I think even though it was a smaller overall piece, that didn’t mean the story was any smaller in my head. In fact, I’m planning it as a series… about 30% into writing the second Mable as I do this interview… and I think that made it critical for me to make sure I laid the right foundation for the volumes to come.

Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

I’m just a sucker for dreams. I think I pretty much said that earlier. As an author, I get to dream vividly while I’m awake. While I’m asleep, I get to tap into versions of possible realities that no one has ever experienced before. And I think that’s pretty freaking cool! On a separate note, I really love getting to see my books sitting on my shelf.

They look so beautiful there. A group of things I created that just shimmer and shine with intrigue and possibility.

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