Tag: reading

A question and answer session with New York Times Best-Selling author, Craig Johnson

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Craig Johnson is currently on a book signing tour.
If you live in Cheyenne, Wyoming where this e-zine is based you will be able to meet Craig in person tonight at 6 p.m.
At the local Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The store is located on Dell Range Blvd. 307-632-3000
Craig lives in Ucross, Wyoming and is known for his mystery novels that feature the character, Sheriff Walt Longmire.
The TV show, “Longmire,” used to air on A & E, until they stupidly cancelled it. Now Netflix calls the show its home.
Viewers are happy and the Long LIve Longmire Twitter campaign worked!
With that said Craig talked about what it’s like seeing his characters larger than life on TV, what he likes best about book signings and you can learn what he has in the works right now!
Q AND A with Craig Johnson
Q: What’s it like seeing your characters come alive on Netflix? And isn’t it great they picked the show and idea up? Yay!

Johnson: “It’s kind of like having a house-plant for seven years and suddenly it starts talking, were but wonderful. The deal I got from Warner Brothers was a package deal in which I got to meet the producers, directors and writers, which gave me an opportunity to gauge their interest in the material. They were really great folks who were really knowledgeable of the books and characters and had track records of how they’d gotten things done. That’s generally the problem with being optioned by Hollywood, you never know if the people you’re dealing with will ever get anything made. I’m a Cowboy author from a town of 25 in northern Wyoming, so for me it will always be about visibility for the books. Our producers were responsible for shows like The Closer and Nip/Tuck so I felt relatively confident—as confident as you can feel in Hollywood.

“I think the casting was crucial and when they made me a Creative Consultant, I figured they were serious. Warner started sending me dvd’s of the actors they were considering, so I wasn’t shocked by them—pretty much every actor I was rooting for got the roles.”
 Q: What do you like the most about book signings and meeting your fans?
Johnson: “You pretty much said it yourself, meeting the folks that read my books and having the opportunity to talk with them in person. Email and social media are great, but I’m a face to face kind of guy. I’ve established tons of friendships over the years with people I only get to see once a year, if I’m lucky. These people are important to me in that they know the innermost workings of my mind by reading my books—and they still want to meet me? That’s pretty great.”
 Q: What’s next? What are you working on next?
Johnson: “The next Walt Longmire novel is called, An Obvious Fact, and should be out in May. It takes place up in Hulett, Wyoming, (population 396, police force 1), the sister city to Sturgis and once a year it has about a half-million bikers in it… That seemed like something Walt, Henry and Vic should be involved in. Then I’ve got another novella akin to Spirit of Steamboat, The Highwayman that concerns a Highway Patrol-Person who is transferred to the Wind River Canyon and begins getting Officer-In-Need-Of-Assitance calls from another Highway Patrolman every night—the problem? He’s been dead for thirty years.
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New York Times Bestselling author Craig Johnson talks writer’s block, reviews and new Longmire book that he just finished

 

 

New York Times Bestselling Author, Craig Johnson, who is a Wyoming resident, answered questions about writer’s block, reviews and why he enjoys writing.

Johnson is the author of the Walt Longmire series of mystery books. The latest, “As the Crow Flies” was released on May 15. He’s currently on tour. The A&E television new drama series, “Longmire,”which is based on his mystery series will air on June 3 at 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. “Longmire” will continue to air on Sundays at 10 p.m. EDT.

There is more detailed information about Johnson under the category Author on Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy.

 

“Longmire” Season 1 The first TV episode of “Longmire,” produced by Warner Horizon Television, airs June third at 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on A&E. courtesy image

You can see videos of “Longmire” under Johnson’s Longmire tab on his official website.

Johnson’s website:

http://www.craigallenjohnson.com/

 

The cover of his latest book in the Walt Longmire series:

 

A&E’s “Longmire website link:

http://www.aetv.com/longmire/?paidlink=1&cmpid=PaidSearch_Google_tune_AETV_longmire_longmire%2Btv%2Bshow&utm_source=google_tune&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=longmire&utm_term=longmire%20tv%20show

 

 

Johnson’s Q and A

 

Q: You’ve written eight books and a number of short stories …do you ever have a day where you face writer’s block?

 

Johnson: “Generally, no. Sometimes the well is depleted, but there’s always something there.”

 

Q: If so how do you work through writer’s block?

 

Johnson: “My advice to students is always to go back and look at what you did yesterday; I bet it’s not perfect… Usually that jerks you loose and gets you started again.”

 

Q: Has a terrible review or comment ever blocked your writing?

Johnson: “No.”

 

Q: How do you deal with those negative comments?

 

Johnson: “It’s just an opinion; your opinions on your own writing should override anyone else’s. There are always going to be people who don’t like or appreciate your work for whatever reason—just take those reviews or comments and toss them in the Toxic File,and move on.”

 

Q:  Do you have days where you feel like you just don’t want to write?

Johnson: “Sure, then I go out and do ranch work; you’d be amazed at how quickly you want to get back inside and write after shoveling manure for a few hours…”

 

Q: What inspires you to write?

Johnson: “For me, writing has become like breathing; I don’t have to be inspired to write, it just comes naturally. Good characters, turns of phrase—but mostly, a good story are what gets me going.”

 

Q:What do you like the most about writing books?

Johnson: “The freedom to do what I want to do how I want to do it,entertaining people and having a platform for my stories, opinions and beliefs.”

 

Q:Can you tell my readers about your main character Sheriff Walt Longmire and where the inspiration for him came from?

Johnson: “I was looking for an individual that would be emblematic of the American west, but still complex enough to be compelling to readers. Walt is what I refer to as a detective for the disenfranchised; he cares about the cases that no one else does. He’s an elected official that’s responsible to his community and I like that better than the ‘lone-wolf’ style characters that kill forty people before the book is over. Walt is a little ‘over’—over age,over weight, overly depressed, and facing a lot of the things that the readers face every day and I think that keeps him real.”

 

 

Q: What kind of advice would you give a writer who longs to be published?

 

Johnson: “Write what you want and with your heart, everything else is a dead end.”

Who is your all time favorite mystery novelist?

Johnson: “TonyHillerman”

What are you working on now? 

Johnson:  “Just finished ‘A Serpent’s Tooth’the next Walt Longmire novel.”

 

 

 

 

 

C.J. Box answers questions about writer’s block, reviews and new projects

CJ Box courtesy image

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.

No. 12 in the Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett series, “Force of Nature” by C.J. Box

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.

Blue Heaven is one of C.J. Box’s stand alone novels

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/

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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

No. 12 in the Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett series, “Force of Nature” by C.J. Box

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

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Coming tomorrow …two New York Times bestselling authors on writer’s block, rejection and new projects

 

Check out two of my posts tomorrow.

I have two New York Times bestselling authors who gave me their thoughts about writer’s block.

They will give some advice on how to beat writer’s block,  how to deal with rejection, and they’ll  let their readers know what projects they’re working on right now.

I also have the scoop on a movie project that one of them has in the works 🙂
You’ll find out who they are tomorrow 🙂

Until then …

Thanks for reading Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy

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my writing is stuck in the chimney, or it could be procrastination

       Hey Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy readers.

Today was a long day. I updated the look of Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy and created the beginnings of a Facebook page for my magazine/blog.

I’m also working on some really cool future posts 🙂

Of course in between doing that I took care of Katie, made dinner, and had a Public Health nurse and other visitors for Katie come to my home today.

Tonight I’m staying up until 1 a.m.  I’m going to work on my children’s book.

If you’re a writer then you already know that the beginning is actually the hardest part of the book to write. I’ve rewritten mine ten times now over the past few months, but I finally am happy with how it’s going.

Everyone has a first draft, whether it’s an e-mail to a friend, or a business letter, or when you’re trying to figure out exactly what you’re going to say in that blank card for someone special. Before you figure out the perfect thing to say, you write down all kinds of things. You may hit delete, or erase your pencil marks a few times, or use Wite-Out, until you choose the words that you like the best.

My book is about Santa. My goal audience is for third, fourth and fifth grade readers, possibly younger, possibly older … doesn’t every writer dream of having the same kind of audience that J.K. Rowling has had for her books?

It’s always good to set your goals really high, but sometimes that also puts a lot of pressure on you when you write. So, I’ve decided to just write my book in order to get this idea out of my head and onto paper, with the hope of getting it into the hands of readers. I’ve had an agent and a publishing house interested in my idea and writing that I’ve done so far on this book, but that’s intimidation almost, when someone’s anticipating your book.

I now have an editor guiding me along in this process, so I better get off of here and hit the keys.

Before I leave for tonight, though, I wanted to ask you all if you have ever struggled with writing.If so, how do you work past it?

Who are your favorite authors to read? What about authors from your childhood, or new children’s books that you might be reading to your kids.

Let me know on my comments area on my post.

Night,

Karen

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