C. J. Box

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Welcome to Dedicated with Doug Brunt. You have just gained access to an exclusive insider's look at the lives and works of some of your favorite authors. Enter your conversations with the world's greatest writers as they discuss their writing lifestyle, creative process, latest work, and behind the scenes revelations.

Doug Brunt (1:34)

Welcome back to Dedicated. I'm thrilled today to be with CJ Box. He is the number one New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 books. He's been executive producer of two TV series, both based on his books.

He's the winner of numerous awards, including one from the National Cowboy Museum. So naturally, we'll be drinking bourbon today. CJ, welcome.

CJ Box (1:54)

Thank you. It's a real pleasure to be here. I've been wanting to do this for a long time.

Doug Brunt (1:58)

Oh, great. Your wife, Laurie, is here as well, who said she's listened to a few of the episodes in the past.

CJ Box (2:03)

Every single one, I think.

Doug Brunt (2:05)

Oh, I love that. Thank you so much.

CJ Box (2:07)

I'm a little pickier, but I've certainly listened to them as well.

Doug Brunt (2:12)

Well, there's a lot to learn. When great writers like yourself come in here, there's a real wisdom happening. I try to get out of the way and let it all happen. But when I heard Laurie was coming, I made sure we have some extra glasses. Laurie, would you like to have some Blanton's bourbon as well? All right.

A couple of cubes.

CJ Box (2:29)

Yes, please.

Doug Brunt (2:30)

All right. Little water in there, I guess.

CJ Box (2:39)

All right.

Doug Brunt (2:39)

I am excited to try this Blanton.

CJ Box (2:41)

I'm curious to see what you think.

Doug Brunt (2:43)

Got the full rundown, as we were saying, from the liquor store, that there's this horse on top, which is very theme appropriate since we just got through the Derby. It's a great looking bottle. It is. It is.

CJ Box (2:56)

It's attractive. Hope I don't got one on my shelf right now.

Doug Brunt (3:01)

Oh, cool. All right. Here we go.

And there's obviously more over there. Justin, can I ask you to pass it over to Laurie?

CJ Box (3:14)

Absolutely, thank you.

All right. Well, thank you.

Doug Brunt (3:19)

CJ, cheers, it's great to see you.

CJ Box (3:20)

Yeah, cheers to you, thank you.

Doug Brunt (3:27)

That is really good.

CJ Box (3:28)

It's really good. It's, yes, yeah, it's one of the primo ones.

Doug Brunt (3:32)

Yeah. Oh, thank you for opening my eyes, because I drink a lot of bourbon. I'm usually putting it into like a Manhattan or something like that, but that is really good, just sipping.

So, born and raised in Wyoming.

CJ Box (3:42)

That's true, yes, yes.

Doug Brunt (3:43)

And I read a lot of fishing, a lot of golf. You're living the life out there.

CJ Box (3:49)

Yes, fishing, golf, hunting too, as well.

Doug Brunt (3:53)

Yeah, and do you write at home, and sort of like, you know, on a ranch?

CJ Box (3:56)

We do, we've got a small ranch. When I say small ranch, I'm not talking like a small California ranch that's 10 acres. I mean, it's 320 acres, but for Wyoming, it's small.

Doug Brunt (4:05)

Is it a working ranch?