Q&A with CS Runn - Author The Moral Conundrum

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Author CS Runn with his book The Moral ConundrumPhoto byBookBuzz

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CS Runn is a navy veteran with over twenty years of service, including time as an F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer. Following his military career, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration. A passionate explorer of America’s national parks, CS Runn currently resides in San Diego, California.

Author Q&A

What was your writing process for The Moral Conundrum?

I began with a clear vision of the book's ending and created an outline to get there. However, as I delved into the writing, the characters took on a life of their own and took me in unexpected directions. It was fun! While the final product loosely resembled my initial outline, having that roadmap allowed me the flexibility to explore different plot points and ideas.

It’s worth noting that my writing approach was somewhat disjointed because I jumped around. For instance, I'd start writing about the protagonist driving down the road, then switch to the antagonist robbing a bank. If a thought popped into my mind, I’d jot a note on an index card. I was always racing in different directions. Having an outline kept me focused on where I was headed.

How long did it take to write The Moral Conundrum?

Writing the book took several years, and my inexperience played a role. I spent a significant amount of time searching for my writing process. The key, though, was to write; write anything.

When I decided to write it, I read how-to books on the subject and then I went for it. Over time, I refined my approach. For instance, I would write about a character or develop the plot and then reread those sections of the books. I started with the intention of simply telling a story, but as my writing evolved, I realized the importance of the different elements like character arcs, themes, and pacing. It sounds obvious now, but it wasn’t as a clueless newbie.

While it took considerable time, the journey was an intellectually enriching experience. I learned valuable lessons beyond writing, and it was gratifying.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I am very happy with the result. The plot was strong, and the setup payoffs were executed effectively. I also believe I succeeded in developing the characters in a meaningful way. However, there is plenty of room for improvement.

While the plot and characters carry the book, I think I need to improve my descriptive writing. I strove for a crisp narrative similar to Lee Child’s writing style, but I think I overdid it. Given the number of setups and payoffs to track, it is my hope the prose fades into the background for the reader. I do see opportunities, though, to improve my descriptive style without compromising the story's pace.

What would the logline be for your book?

I learned I needed a logline, an elevator pitch, and a synopsis when writing the book. I wrote all three pretty early in the process. Here is the elevator pitch:

The Moral Conundrum is a story about Reed Stanton, a dedicated family man and navy fighter pilot who suddenly deals with challenges in his marriage, betrayal by friends, and a lack of trust in his military chain of command. Accused of murder, Reed must uncover who wants to frame him and why. To do so, he must confront his personal demons, track down a terrorist, determine who he can truly trust, and put an end to an assault on a San Diego air traffic control facility.

What are your current projects?

Since completing the initial draft of the book, I have written two short stories. Writing short stories was an entirely different experience. You do not get to develop the story elements, like the character, as fully as you would in a book. The brevity of the story is quite different and interesting. It helped me realize that I want to explore different types of storytelling as I search for my voice.

Did you use Artificial Intelligence?

I didn’t. My work was written before AI became a thing, but I am keenly interested in this topic. I think AI has a place and can complement the creative process; however, there should be limits.

On one end of the spectrum, think about how the first thesaurus changed and accelerated the creative process. Yet today, it is an everyday tool we don’t think about. Look at how the internet has dramatically improved a writer's research while saving time and money. Software exists that identifies errors in sentence structure and is generally considered acceptable for writing. These are all tools to improve our creative process and are forms of AI.

The other end of the spectrum involves deepfakes, where AI can replicate images and voices indistinguishable from real people. We are quickly approaching a point where AI can create original material based on an image, a voice, or even a writer's ideas.

It is clear that AI will change the face of writing, and it is tough to see what that landscape looks like. AI needs to be a tool of the creator. It shouldn’t be the other way around, where the creator is the tool of AI.

Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?

I like eBooks for their convenience and versatility because I can read from any of my smart devices. I also enjoy using Amazon’s Whispersync, which enables me to switch between reading and audio. It allows me to multi-task; I am able to complete a book and exercise at the same time. I have also made listening to audiobooks a game. I visualize the words while listening. I am pretty good at speeds of 1x-1.25x, but 1.75x+ is a real challenge.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

My website, www.csrunn.com, has information and links to my Amazon listings. It also contains more about writing the book and about me. I welcome emails and would love to hear from people.

Give a shout-out to a fellow author.

Yes, I’ll give a shout-out! A former squadron mate from the navy has written several non-fiction military books about his time flying F-14s and being in topgun. He has been a good friend helpful to me. His work can be found at www.topgunbio.com and he is on Amazon as well.

The Moral Conundrum is an action-packed thriller, offering a compelling blend of suspense, betrayal, and moral complexity. Available now on the author’s website at https://www.csrunn.com/ and on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Conundrum-Reed-Stanton-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0BNK1ZPDS

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