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.
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:
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.”
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