C.J. Box is a Wyoming resident and is the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Joe Pickett book series. His latest book in the series came out in March, “Force of Nature.” He also has written several stand alone novels, short stories and essays.
Box took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions about writer’s block, reviews, (the good, bad and in between), and his latest projects that he has going on. Possibly a movie ?
In an e-mail interview Box said, “Sometimes I wish I had more time, but I’ve never been ‘blocked.’”
However, Box did give some advice and wise words to writers who do face writer’s block from time to time and how to move on from it. Find out more in the Q and A below.
Box has won numerous awards including an Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel for his 2009 book, “Blue Heaven” His other awards include the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and the 2010 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award for fiction.
For Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy international readers you could possibly find Box’s books in your language. His books have been translated into 25 languages.
Here is C.J. Box’s Q and A:
Q: How would you describe writer’s block?
Box: “A writer without ideas.”
Q: What advice would you give someone who thinks they have writer’s block?
Box: “Write your way out of it.”
Q:How can they avoid writer’s block in the future?
Box: “Don’t wait for inspiration. Treat writing like a job. Working people can’t have “working block” or they’ll not have a job very long.”
Q:Has a bad review ever given you writer’s block?
Box: No.
Q: How do you deal with bad and good reviews, or are you not phased by reviews?
Box: “I’m more interested in the aggregate than individual reviews. If the reviews are 95% positive I don’t worry about the 5% that aren’t.”
Q: What do reviews mean to you?
Validation.
Q: Have you ever had to deal with rejection when you were trying to get your first book published ?
Box: “Of course. It took five years to get the first novel published.”
Q:How did you deal with the rejection and what helped you get past that?
Box: “I moved on and kept going because I believed in the novel.”
Q: On a whole new topic can you tell my magazine readers what you have in the works right now?
Box: “I finished a new stand-alone a few months ago and I’m currently working on the new Joe Pickett novel. Because my book tour for FORCE OF NATURE was long I feel pressed for time.”
Q: Has Hollywood been knocking on your door ?
Box:“Blue Heaven” and “Nowhere to Run” are under option for feature films. “Blue Heaven” is supposed to start filming in the fall with Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, and Josh Brolin are attached to it.” You can see Josh Brolin soon in theaters in “Men In Black III” http://www.meninblack.com/
Find out more about C.J. Box here:
http://www.cjbox.net/about-c.j.-box
C.J Box’s Joe Pickett Novels: “Open Season” (2001), “Savage Run” (2002), “Winterkill” (2003), “Trophy Hunt” (2004), “Out of Range” (2005), “In Plain Sight” (2006), “Free Fire” (2007), “Blood Trail” (2008), “Below Zero” (2009), “Nowhere to Run” (2010), “Cold Wind” (2011), “Force of Nature” (2012).
Learn more about Joe Pickett here: http://www.cjbox.net/about-joe-pickett
C.J Box’s Stand Alone Novels: “Blue Heaven” (2008), “Three Weeks to Say Goodbye” (2009), “Back of Beyond” (2011).
Bookstores that sell Box’s books: http://www.cjbox.net/bookstores
Purchase C.J. Box’s latest book “Force of Nature” on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Force-Nature-Joe-Pickett-Novel/dp/039915826X
Purchase C.J. Box’s latest book on Barnes and Noble.com:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/force-of-nature-c-j-box/1104082896?ean=9780399158261
Purchase other C.J. Box books on Barnes and Noble.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/c.-j.-box/1021570
Purchase other C.J. Box titles on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/C.-J.-Box/e/B001IGSO0I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1/181-9013666-2145529
Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy 
Got to love his answer to “how to avoid future blocks”…”Working people can’t have working blocks!” I’ve actually never read any of his books, though I did hear the blurb for “Back of Beyond” and an excerpt from the audio book last week on The Book Report radio show (not sure if you’ve ever listened to their show, but if you’re into books, they showcase 6 or 7 a week and author interviews too-the stations and schedules are on their site (bookreportradio(dot)com)). Maybe it’s time I tried one of his books!
Really enjoying your blog-thanks.
We just finished Badlands and would to know when the Lizard King will be caught, looking forward for that to happen, we have read all of your books and really enjoy them,