“People seem to be afraid of humor, which is both a shame and a testament to its power.”
– Cameron A. Straughan
There exists a profound power within humor, yet often it remains underutilized and shrouded in apprehension. Cameron A. Straughan, an award-winning writer, laments this phenomenon, stating, “People seem to be afraid of humor, which is both a shame and a testament to its power.” Through his own creative endeavors, particularly exemplified in “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen,” recipient of the prestigious BREW Seal of Excellence, Straughan endeavors to unlock this power as he weaves together absurdity and humor to craft narratives that transcend the ordinary.
With a Master of Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Education, twelve years of teaching experience in England, currently teaching STEM at a Northern Ontario First Nations school, Straughan brings a unique perspective to his writing. His multidisciplinary approach to teaching, emphasizing lateral thinking and independent thought, serves as a foundation for his creative endeavors. Skilled in scientific and technical writing, he seamlessly blends elements of biology, data analysis, and communication to create narratives that challenge conventional storytelling norms.
Straughan’s journey into the world of literature is as diverse as his skill set. From his early days as a fisheries biologist to his foray into journalism and technical writing, he has honed his ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision. His blog, “Trapped on a Rock Floating in Space,” serves as a platform for his singular adventures and reflections on life, inviting readers to join him on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation.
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” reflects Straughan’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Through the titular character, Anthony Zen, readers see the mundane coexisting with the fantastical, inviting them to question the absurdities of existence with a sense of humor and wonder.
Know more in this exclusive interview.
TWB: Can you share the origin story of Anthony Zen and how you developed his character over time?
CAS: Anthony Zen was created in October 1989. I was up late working on a story heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft. Being late at night, all sorts of thoughts were running through my head. It occurred to me that I shouldn’t be mimicking Lovecraft’s style; instead, I should be writing in the style of my dream journals. I didn’t know anything about automatic writing at the time, but that is what I was doing. I was writing feverishly – anything that came to mind. Much of it surprised me and made me laugh out loud. I seemed to be onto something. I decided to create a character to go along with this style of writing. I wanted a prestigious, three-syllable name, so I chose Anthony. I wanted the surname to be abrupt, one syllable – at the other end of the alphabet. It had to catch attention and suggest something “different”. Zen seemed to fit. Thus Anthony Zen was born.
I developed Anthony’s character based on many of my own personal experiences, but through a surrealist lens. The character reflects my own sense of individuality and search for peace and comfort amongst the chaos of everyday life. Late in life, I was diagnosed with autism. Looking back on the stories, I can see how Anthony’s development reflected my autistic traits and how I chose to cope with life – recognizing the absurdity of it.
TWB: What inspired the surreal and absurd elements present in “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen,” and how do they reflect your views on the human condition?
CAS: The surreal and absurd elements were birthed in the early morning hours when I was in a dream-like state – that helped. At the time I created the character, and chose the title, I did not know what surrealism was; I just thought it had something to do with odd dreams and it seemed to fit. Later, I went on to research surrealism thoroughly and own many books on the topic. However, I’ve always had an odd sense of humor. I was writing odd stories back in grade five. While I can’t point to any one source of inspiration for my surreal and absurd elements – aside from my own dream journals – I was a fan of Monty Python, SCTV, The Marx Brothers, Mad Magazine, and the classic lineup of Saturday Night Live, so some of these elements may have bubbled up from my subconscious.
TWB: How do you balance humor and satire with deeper themes and societal commentary in your writing?
CAS: This is an interesting question because sometimes I may not be consciously balancing these elements, in which case I take a chance and leave it up to the readers to read into the stories, if they choose to. I’ve often said that my stories – like dreams – need to be interpreted; a reader could look for deeper meaning or just read them as humorous fun. That said, I think my training as a fisheries biologist has helped hone my powers of observation; thus, I cannot resist offering commentary on the world as I see it. It was a goal of mine early on for these stories to not just be a bit of humorous fluff but to have a biting, satirical edge and social commentary beneath the surrealist pyrotechnics. I didn’t want heavy themes to be too obvious and pedantic – that would sour the humor. I tend not to write the obvious, but find a creative way into a topic. Again, I think I mainly rely on the reader to dig up those deeper themes and social commentary.
TWB: Could you describe your collaborative process with Pradipta Mukherjee in bringing the illustrations to life and capturing the essence of Anthony Zen’s adventures?
CAS: It was indeed serendipitous that I came across Pradipta’s work when I was looking for someone to do the cover for Anthony Zen. His retro style perfectly suited what I envisioned. In fact, I liked his cover so much I decided to add interior images, rather like Alice in Wonderland. Pradipta and I seem to be on the same wavelength, in that I give an outline of what I am after, coupled with a few images, and he creates some drafts. Usually, he does not have to make many changes; his work perfectly suits what I have in mind. Since he is based in India, all our communication is through messaging. It’s a blessing that he is able to run with what I outline and produce great work with very few changes necessary. The partnership on Anthony Zen went so well I hired him to illustrate my graphic novel, “Bear Mask”, which we are currently working on. People have often told me that Anthony Zen would make a great cartoon; if that ever happens, I’d like Pradipta to be involved for sure.
TWB: What challenges did you face while crafting interconnected short stories, and how did you ensure coherence and continuity throughout the narrative?
CAS: I think crafting the interconnected short stories was relatively easy because I have always had a strong attention to detail and excellent long-term memory. Ensuring coherence and continuity was another matter. To some degree, I leave it up to the readers to discover the overarching narrative, which may be difficult for some due to the surreal nature of the stories. However, I did place the stories in a certain order that I felt best developed Anthony Zen’s character and suggested a coherent narrative. Also, since the book deals with the absurdity of life, and real life doesn’t follow a perfect narrative arc, I’d argue that even if readers don’t discover an overarching narrative, that is fine because the stories are more representative of the reality of our existence.
TWB: “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” has received acclaim for its creativity and humor. How did it feel to receive a BREW book award title, and how has this recognition impacted your writing career?
CAS: It felt incredible, and I thank The Chrysalis BREW Project for this honor. It has lit a fire beneath me; projects that have been on the backburner for years are now reaching completion and I’ve started some new projects as well. It is a very productive time for me, and this has been greatly influenced by BREW’s award.
TWB: In what ways do you believe humor can serve as a vehicle for addressing societal issues and provoking thought among readers?
CAS: I think the humor genre is the best vehicle to address societal issues since humor itself is a communal shared experience and part of our evolution. I think we find something funny because there is a shared experience being addressed; the humor not only bonds us, more so than taste in music or films, but helps us work through issues. I think humor provokes thought because it runs deep. Our sense of humor defines us and determines who we get along with. Thus, I think it has greater potential to promote deep thought. It is just too bad that in the current socio-political climate not much humor is being produced – particularly in film and TV. People seem to be afraid of humor, which is both a shame and a testament to its power.
TWB: How do you approach the balance between absurdity and relatability in your stories to ensure they resonate with a diverse audience?
CAS: I approach it very carefully, often unsure if I have the balance right. I am very meticulous and spend a lot of time editing each story to ensure it balances all my key ingredients: satire, absurdity, surrealism, and a sense of surprise – combined with some grounding in reality. I think since my stories are about everyday, seemingly banal events people can relate. Of course, I take that foundation and run wild with it. But the core is always some semblance of reality.
TWB: Looking beyond “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen,” what themes or genres do you hope to explore in your future projects, and how do you envision your writing evolving over time?
CAS: My short stories gave me the perfect platform to let my surrealist tendencies run wild. However, my current projects are longer works – a novella, a children’s book, two novels, and a graphic novel. They have narrative arcs, but my absurd, surreal style is still evident.
I am currently writing a novel entitled “Citizen Zen” – a sequel to The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen. It will explore government encroachment on our lives and the loss of personal freedoms. My Anthony Zen character will also appear – albeit as a 10-year-old boy – in a children’s book I am writing called “Goodnight, Anthony” which deals with nightmares and how to overcome them. Once again, Pradipta will do the art. As I alluded to previously, I am working on a graphic novel called “Bear Mask”. It is about struggling with undiagnosed autism and trying to find the right path in life while remaining true to your inner self. I am also working on a novel that blends horror with westerns and environmental themes. It basically encapsulates everything I am interested in. Entitled “Once Upon a Time in Transylvania”, it also operates as a critique of colonialism and capitalism run amok. I actually went to Transylvania to research it and was told that the themes I am exploring in the book resonate with the current political climate in Romania.
TWB: Lastly, what message or experience do you hope readers will take away from their journey into the world of Anthony Zen, and what do you believe sets your work apart in the literary landscape?
CAS: I hope that, like Anthony, readers stay in touch with their inner-child and are able to find humor amongst the chaos of their daily lives. To find peace and comfort, we must look inside ourselves and not let our environment upset us too much. I would hope that the experience of reading “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” is unlike anything else they’ve experienced, but with some similarities with other culture to make it more accessible. When I originated the stories, I sought to make them as original as possible, surprising my readers constantly throughout, which I hope I achieved.
I think the surreal, absurd nature of my stories sets them apart from the current literary landscape. There doesn’t seem to be much humor being published these days and Hollywood seems reluctant to release comedies anymore. Being autistic, I think that also sets my work apart because I run contrary to the (unfortunate) notion that autistic people don’t have a sense of humor. Hopefully I’ve proved that assumption wrong! ⭐
“I hope that, like Anthony, readers stay in touch with their inner-child and are able to find humor amongst the chaos of their daily lives.”
– Cameron Straughan
For more information about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards, click here.
Get a copy of “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan. Click here.
Connect with Cameron Straughan on LinkedIn here.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Cameron Straughan’s interview and the surreal adventures of Anthony Zen. Here are three questions to get you started:
- What aspects of Cameron Straughan’s journey resonate with you the most, and why?
- How do you think humor can be used as a tool for addressing societal issues, as discussed in the interview?
- Which of Anthony Zen’s adventures do you find most intriguing, and why?
We can’t wait to hear your insights and perspectives! Leave your comments below and let’s engage in a meaningful discussion.
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Humor is an effective narrative tool that makes readers consider societal issues more seriously. It was fascinating to read about the author’s creative process. And I’d love to have a book that would have helped me beat nightmares as a child!
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I couldn’t agree more! Humor can indeed shed light on serious societal issues in a unique way. I’m glad you found the author’s creative process fascinating. A book to beat childhood nightmares sounds like a wonderful idea!
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I was both the world’s best sleeper and the most enthusiastic reader as a kid. That book would have saved my life.
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It sounds like you had quite the imaginative and restful childhood! It’s amazing how books can deeply resonate with us, offering solace and inspiration during different stages of our lives. It’s heartwarming to hear that a book like this could have made such a significant impact for you. Books truly have the power to touch our lives in profound ways.
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Haha quite the opposite Sam. That was either autocorrect or a huge Freudian slip. I meant worst sleeper.
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Hahaha…. Human moments do happen every time.
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I have always been afraid to produce a film and label it a comedy. It’s a lot of pressure. It’s easy to clown around while writing a serious story though. Similar to procrastination. Thanks for the interview. I will check out his work when I have some disposable income. Once upon a time in Transylvania sounds pretty good.
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It’s understandable to feel the pressure when labeling your work as a comedy, but remember, humor often thrives in the unexpected and genuine moments. Embracing the playful side of storytelling can lead to some delightful surprises. And yes, procrastination can sometimes feel like a familiar companion in the creative process! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, and definitely check out the book when you have the chance. It’s a curious journey worth experiencing.
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