Featured Interview With Carl Strom
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in various countries, returning to the UK as a teen to study architecture at university in Bristol – the hometown of world-renowned graffiti artist Banksy. While writing my Urban Design Master’s Thesis in London on crime prevention, I befriended a police officer. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to glean the kind of knowledge that could be used for a novel. Turns out that “Designing Out Crime” Police Officers know far more about residential layouts – oddly enough – than juicy murder investigations. I currently live in Sweden, where I work as a creative tech expert in urban planning, in addition to being an entrepreneur. I’ve written a mystery thriller called 24 Hours, and a techno thriller called Unforeseen Enemy. I’m currently working on several new novels. I promise to keep the words coming on a regular basis.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I reckon that the seed for my storytelling ambitions was sown when I was a kid. The classic tale: schoolteacher puts student on the spot by making him read his writing aloud. Other interests would emerge during summer breaks, when I would design tree houses and project manage their construction.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Michael Crichton stands out. Not only are his thrillers accessible to a wide audience (it’s easy to follow the well thought-out plots) but the story architecture makes for great blockbuster movies (Jurassic Park, Westworld, Timeline, etc.). I love being able to watch the action unfold in my mind when I read, and I strive to achieve this cinematic quality in my own writing. Other influences include Ian Fleming (James Bond 007), Robert Galbraith (aka J. K. Rowling), Greg Iles, Vince Flynn, Douglas E. Richards (to name a few).
Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’m currently working on a sci-fi thriller. I’m halfway through the first draft, so there’s some work left to be done. Fans of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One should enjoy this one. I’ve also done research for the next installment of my mystery series featuring PIs Martin Brunner & Daniel Lakin.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Carl Strom’s Website