Exclusive interview and giveaway with C. J. Box
The competition is now closed. Our winners are Margot Kinberg and Susan Nisar. Congratulations – you both win a copy of CJ’s excellent thriller. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Thanks once again for all of your enthusiastic entries – we always love reading your comments.
We’re interviewing debut author Jessica Ruston shortly, about her novel Luxury and will be doing a giveaway too, so see you back here tomorrow!
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CJ Box (Charles James, but Chuck to those who meet him) is an American author making his UK debut with his thriller, Three Weeks to Say Goodbye. It was published in January 2009 and spent three weeks on the New York Times extended best sellers list.
For more about C. J. Box, see his author profile.
We have 2 copies of his book to give away. Just leave a comment on the blog below and we’ll include you in the draw. We’ll pick our winners on Tuesday 15 December at 12 noon.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Chuck on the phone from his home in Wyoming. We spoke to him about his book, the writing process, how he became a writer and more. Here is the exclusive interview…
BR: Hi Chuck, thanks for joining us on BookRabbit, it’s a pleasure to talk to you. I finished the book late last night and really enjoyed it. Some aspects of the book mirror your own life – it’s based in a place you know, you’re a family man with daughters, you ran an international tourism marketing firm… do you believe it’s best to write about what you know?
Chuck: Yes, actually this was my ninth novel, but the first one… play clip >>
BR: I understand that the story is based on events that happened to friends of yours, is that true?
Chuck: That is true, yeah… play clip >>
BR: In the Pickett series and certainly with Three Weeks to Say Goodbye you seem to like to tackle social issues – is that often your starting point for a book?
Chuck: It is yeah, not always with a new story or something ripped from the headlines but… play clip >>
BR: The book takes place mostly in Denver, Colarado – the rocky mountain west – with brief trips to Montana, there is a real sense of place in the book and you describe the scenery, the weather etc so well. Clearly the settings for your books are really important to you…
Chuck: Absolutely, in fact because the area is so huge… play clip >>
BR: What kind of research did you need to do for the book – I get the feeling you had to hang out in some pretty dodgy places in downtown Denver!
Chuck: Yeah, I don’t want to say that everything is based on truth, but… play clip >>
BR: I really enjoyed a lot of the characters, particularly Cody, tell us a little bit about him.
Chuck: (LOL) Yeah, he’s a fun character to write, because it’s always fun to write somebody who has a code and rules of their own… play clip >>
BR: How did you create such interesting characters? Your first job was as a newspaper reporter, so I wondered if you drew on the kind of people you met and your experiences back then?
Chuck: Yeah, I still use the same methods and methodology to research a book… play clip >>
BR: I found the way the main character, Jack McGuane, handled the situation very believable… how did you keep it real?
Chuck: Oh good, that’s essential to the book, I mean obviously you have to… play clip >>
BR: I can see the book working well as a film, and I understand Blue Heaven has been optioned already?
Chuck: That’s correct, yeah that one seems to actually be progressing… play clip >>
BR: How has the book been received here in the UK so far?
Chuck: The feedback has all been exceptionally good… play clip >>
BR: Do you write very differently when writing a standalone, as opposed to writing your Joe Pickett series?
Chuck: I have, simply because with each one I need to invent a whole different world… play clip >>
BR: Are you doing a book tour over here to promote the book?
Chuck: There’s nothing solid yet but the publisher has mentioned… play clip >>
BR: Any plans for releasing Blue Heaven or the Joe Pickett series here?
Chuck: Corvus in fact has really made a commitment to these books… play clip >>
BR: Can you tell me about your publishing journey for your very first book – I understand you hid your writing talent under for many years, writing in secret until you got a publishing deal, is that true?
Chuck: Exactly, yeah, for about 20 years… play clip >>
BR: What’s a day in the life of C. J. Box like? Do you write every day?
Chuck: I do, and I just always look at it as going to work, I tend to write… play clip >>
BR: Is there any aspect you find particularly challenging when you sit down to write one of your novels?
Chuck: The one thing I have to always be cognisant of is… play clip >>
BR: Is there a particular book or writer that inspired you to write?
Chuck: A little bit of both, the book that I read when I was in High School was… play clip >>
BR: Can you share a little of what you’re currently working on with us?
Chuck: Sure, I completed my ninth Joe Pickett novel… play clip >>
BR: I notice on your website you’re very good at talking to your readers – not all authors do, but you seem to really enjoy the interaction.
Chuck: I do yeah, I think at the last count I’d replied to 1000 different questions… play clip >>
Enjoyed the interview, like the sound of the new book he is working on set in Yellowstone. Yellowstone is a favourite place so it would be interesting to see if he captures our view and memory of the place – will certainly keep an eye open for that one next year.
Liked the reviews that have been posted and so will add the current book to my wish list. I don’t care for the title and had I seen it in a store today I probably would not even have picked it up to see what it was about. It’s quite strange how a book title or the cover art can have that effect.
Thank you for the interview – it was nice to have the audio rather than just reading replies to questions – they came across as honest answers and not contrived or pre-prepared.
Sounds really great- would love to win!
I agree with Karen – not sure about the title! Always looking for a new author I can love as much as Harlan Coben, so adding to Amazon wish list now!
Just like Catherine, I’m on the look out for something new – just read the latest Jack Reacher and read most of Harlan Coben – this could be it!
Love the interview with Box. The clips you included in the interview adds a whole new dimension to it. Please include me in the giveaway.
Thanks for this terrific interview! This sounds like a great, book, too, and I’ve been enjoying the website. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Another fab interview – really enjoyed this, so thanks for posting it
Pretty please enter me into the giveaway!
fabulous interview and it sounds like a great read thanks
Enjoyed the interview.
Sounds like a really good read. I’d love to win. Thanks so much!
The title and the cover got my interest. The interview added more to my interest in this book.
I would love to to read this book
Would love to read this.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Please enter me in your book. This looks like a great read.
Count me in please.
Thank you so much for the wonderful interview. The book looks too good!
I adore thrillers, my favourite genre..please enter me thanks.
Thank you. I’m always looking out for exciting new reads.
Neat interview and giveaway! Thanks for the chance!
Really enjoyed reading the interview, and would love to win a copy of this book as it sounds right up my street.
Great Interview, really interesting. Would like to read this one. Three weeks to say goodbye, I think I will need a box of tissues x
If its good enough to spend three weeks on the New York Times extended best sellers list.. then its good enough to spend a lifetime in my keeping!
Although I do like to share good reads! (occasionally!)
So interesting that CJ Box kept his writing a secret for so many years. And I love the area this novel is set in, I think I’ll read it as much as a travelogue as a thriller. My boss adores this kind of thriller, so if I win, that’s ‘Secret Santa’ sorted!
I enjoy a good mystery and this sounds a great read. I would love to win it!
Sounds really interesting, would love to win this for my mum.
Whoops I put it in the wrong place!
Please enter me in your book give away!
Happy Christmas to all again!
)
please enter in me in your giveaway, new author to me but from the interview it sounds like a really interesting read.