Get to Know Our Friend C. J. Box

A Deeper Dive With Our Most Recent Guest

A Conversation with C. J. Box

A writing tip, book recommendation, and other great insights from C. J. that were not covered in our on-air interview, which you can WATCH or LISTEN to now!

For any aspiring writers out there, would you please share a short bit of writing advice?
I’m always a little taken aback when I meet fledgling writers whom, when asked what they read, offer very little in response. My most important advice for aspiring writers is to READ, and read widely. I’ve learned more about pacing, characterization, point-of-view, and narrative structure from reading books. It’s especially important to read books that are out of your comfort level, and out of your genre or lane. Too many aspiring writers are too in love with their own voice, and they need new voices to help them hone their craft.

What is the last book you raved about and what did you love about it?
Although not in my lane at all (see above), I was absolutely fascinated with Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery by Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz. It’s a field I knew absolutely nothing about, and I learned a lot. Schwartz writes really well, and he explains the human brain in ways that even I could understand. His depth of knowledge and experience leaps right off of every page.

What can you tell us about your work-in-progress?