The second set of nearly weekly questions from the Longmire Book Club answered by author Craig Johnson about the Longmire literary universe. Simply click on any title to read Craig’s answer which will open in a new window.

1) Islands In The Stream

“Craig has mentioned the inspiration for many of the characters. We know there is a real Busy Bee. How close are the descriptions to the original? Is there an inspiration for the Red Pony and the White Buffalo cafe?” - Robert Lang

2) Coming Attractions

“Are there other, possibly intriguing projects on the horizon?” - Janet Washer

3) Cheyenne Nation

“More back story on Henry? Family, education, something beyond football and military?” - Virginia Rawak Bruce

4) Name That Tune

”So, if we were to climb into Walt’s truck, the Silver Bullet, what would we find in the CD player?” - Chet Carlson

5) Valentine’s Day

“Is there a real Vic “The Terror” Moretti?” - Nora Lou Wilson

6) Which Walt?

“Has your vision of Walt changed since your first story now that there is a face to Walt (in the form of Robert Taylor)? Robert put so much into the character that when I read the stories now, I picture him.” - Bryan Hall

7) More, Please?

“Not that I’m greedy, but have you considered additional series? So, we get two Craig Johnson books a year? Any character knocking around in your head, trying to get out?” - Meg E. Dobson

8) It’s the Mileage

“What time period does the Longmire series occur? It appears to be in the present, yet that would make Walt 69 years old if he was born in 1950, based on him going to Vietnam at age 18. So, I am having problems reconciling the time period and Walt’s age.” - Kelly Sumerton Krochmalny

9) Bringing the Thunder

“How did you meet Marcus Red Thunder? And do you think you / Walt would have had such a spiritual connection to all things in nature and people if it wasn’t for that relationship?” - Liz King

10) Cinéma Vérité

“Is there a storyline that you’d like to see turned into a movie? Or an episode when Longmire relaunches (fingers-crossed)? I’m currently listening to An Obvious Fact and I’d love to see this one on screen.” - Beaner Krenk

11) Overaged, Overweight, Overly Depressed…

“Now that you and all of us readers know Walt, is there anything that you would have wanted different about him, but cannot change at this point?” - Nancy Swaney Moss

12) On The Scent

“I am curious how Walt would have come upon Jo Malone perfume, if he is the one who bought it for Martha. How did Martha find it in such a small town as Durant?” - Sami Long Kopelman

13) Grand Larceny

“T.S. Eliot said, “Good writers borrow, GREAT writers steal.” Who do you like to steal from and why?” - Ry Brooks

14) Headstrong

“Forgive me if someone has asked this before. I have some small understanding of what happened to Walt’s grandfather, but will we ever know more about what happened to his mom and dad?” - Terry Anastassiou

15) Shortcuts

“Will there be more like “Wait For Signs”? Really enjoy the short stories as well. Wish more authors would publish these nubs of ideas.” - Steve Williams

16) Own Recognizance

“You’re pretty much a (for want of a better term) ‘celebrity’ writer now, but there must have been a time when you weren’t. Can you recall the time when you realized that you had gone from a relatively unknown writer to a celebrity, and how did that feel? - Carolyn McGill

17) You Can’t Go Home Again

“Why does Walt not live on his family land? Is there a back story short on the making about Walt’s younger years? As in the missing years?” - Nita Reinhold

18) Sharp-Dressed Man

“I feel like Columbo. Just one more question. I saw Craig at an event, and he is highly entertaining. My only complaint is that it was over WAY too soon. He took a question about his boots, and went through everything a cowboy wears, and it was very informative. Would he review all of that with the group? - Robert Lang

19) A Man And His Dog

“Craig, I am crazy about Dog. This may sound like a 7-year-old writing to Santa, but would you consider a Christmas story featuring this much loved and oh so wise character?” - Marnie Patterson Leonard

20) A Soldier, An Indian, and a Writer Walk Into a Bar…

“I’m assuming from the title of your next book, The Next To Last Stand, that you had to do a lot of research, is that something you enjoy?” - John Sothen

21) The Final Chapter

“Have you mapped out the story of Walt and comp or do you go with the flow? Do you have an ending in mind?” - Mary Jane Spice

22) Old Schooled

“Could you possibly learn to write with both hands so we could get two new books a year?” - Tim Goncharoff

23) Reaffirmation

“How did Judy feel when you killed off Martha before even beginning the story? Did you promise her a reincarnation as Vic? Walt is so much you… Vic is so much Judy, was Martha the sadness that had potential to be lightened with Vic?” - Pamela Murphy

24) Spiritual Guardian

“Some of my favorite threads in your books deal with the spirituality of the Cheyenne Nation. Would you consider featuring Virgil White Buffalo in a (new) book? I’d like to know more about the deep connection between Walt and Virgil.” - Terry Badgett Cooper

25) Robert Who?

“Lucian as a younger sheriff. Walt and Henry as children. How did Omar get rich?” - Roxanna Posey

26) Family Values

“Walt says his smart aleck tendencies came from his mother. His love of books and learning from his father. Did his tenacity, stubbornness, temper and overall bulldog attitude when on a case come from his grandfather? If so, are the similarities what really drove the conflict in the kitchen you describe in Dry Bones?” - Thad Vinson

27) A Passing Resemblance

“I have seen you in person a number of times, read all the books and listened to George’s Audible recordings. When you write, are you Walt Longmire writing the story or are you removed from the characters?” - Tammy Legerski

28) Shanachie

“I’m a long-distance truck driver and love your books, especially the audio versions. How did you get George Guidall as the reader for your books?” - Ed Dubly

29) Formidable

“Where did Walt’s tendency to run into danger come from Vietnam or from his youth?” - Tom Lowe

30) It’s Not The Years…

“Now that the books have become a huge success, do you regret making Walt an older gentleman? (Unlike the middle-aged Walt in the TV Series). Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to cut the book series short?” - Donna Lynn Blankenship

31) Of Mice and Modems

“Knowing Walt’s aversion for technology, I’m wondering if you have the same attitudes and has that made the challenges of a Virtual Longmire Days that much more challenging?” - Paul Landon

32) Cowboy Up

“I’ve heard you say that building your ranch was one of the best things in teaching yourself how to write your novels, how so?” - Brittney Kimes

33) Art Appreciation

“What made you finally decide to write a book about the Little Bighorn?” - Jim Chihuly

34) Fallen Star

“Were there any surprises about Custer in all the research you did for Next To Last Stand?” - Scott Bynum

35) The Highway, Man

“I wonder if the fact that Craig’s books are always released right at the Autumn Equinox has any significance. Is this on purpose, or just a fluke?” - Elizabeth Robertson Waggoner

36) Funny You Should Ask

“I was glad to hear Next To Last Stand was on the humorous side, I love all your books but the one’s that make me laugh are my favorites. There aren’t that many mystery novels that are honestly funny and I was wondering how you decided to include that component?” - Josie Poole

37) All Quiet On The Western Front Forty

“Judy, what’s it like living at the ranch when Craig’s writing?” - Craig Johnson

38) Walt’s Last Waltz

“Not to be morbid, but have you thought about writing a book that will finish the series? And just keep it in reserve in case you get sick or something happens to you? I am thinking of Sue Grafton and how she passed before she finished the Kinsey Milhone series, or how Henning Mankell became ill and wrote the ending to Wallander?” - Lynn Henderson Thompson

39) The Write Stuff

“I was wondering, when you finish a book do you take some time off, celebrate, or do you start right back in again?” - Betty Durbar

40) Making His Mark

“I have noticed that in every signature of yours I have seen, there is a dot after the last “n’ in Johnson. Is that done to fight counterfeiting?” - Joseph Bennett

41) Play It Again, Walt

“I’ve noticed a lot of musical references in Next To Last Stand and was wondering if music is a large component in the ideas for all your novels.” - Betty Wagner

42) Wanted Poster

“I’ve noticed a lot of authors are abandoning some forms of social media or don’t put much effort into their pages, but you’ve got a healthy presence—is this kind of activity enjoyable for you?” - Gary Frazier

43) Because It’s There

“I seem to recall that Walt and Henry got into trouble golfing one time, but you don’t strike me as a golfer. What recreational activities do you take part in?” - June Anderson

44) Changeup Pitch

“When writing a mystery series, how do you prevent yourself from creating the same “aha!” moment when you reveal the culprit? How do you stray from the same “mystery novel” footprint? I’ve read other author’s work… and some, (cough cough… Dan Brown) you can make an educated guess in the first 60 pages as who the bad guy is, and you’d probably be right. How do you prevent this? How do you structure your writing to make sure you’re not predictable? And how do you use different characters to prevent the story from repeating itself over such a long series?” - Zach Crowe

45) Toujours L’Amour

“What is it about Longmire that appeals to the French? What is it like to do a book tour in France? What about Henry’s time in France? We need to know more about the French connection.“ - Ann Wilson

46) Reading The Range

“In an earlier answer you talked about preferring to read books for your research. But I’m curious how you get access to them. Do you buy them or borrow from the library? And how do you build your research list or determine what to read next? And lastly as a result of your research have you changed something in one of your stories?” - Charis Wilson

47) The Best Medicine

“We (your readers) have all attracted attention for laughing aloud in public while reading your books. What are a couple of scenes from your books that have actually made you laugh as you were writing them? And how ever did you come up with them?” - Anne Maclachlan

48) Portrait of the Artist

“This is an odd question, but who picks out the author photos in your books, you or the publisher?” - Jeanette Palmer

49) Eye of the Beholder

“I was wondering why the artwork on the covers of your books have changed?” - John Zabell

50) In Thanks

“What are you thankful for?” - Judy Johnson

The second set of nearly weekly questions from the Longmire Book Club answered by author Craig Johnson about the Longmire literary universe. Simply click on any title to read Craig’s answer which will open in a new window.

1) Islands In The Stream

“Craig has mentioned the inspiration for many of the characters. We know there is a real Busy Bee. How close are the descriptions to the original? Is there an inspiration for the Red Pony and the White Buffalo cafe?” - Robert Lang

2) Coming Attractions

“Are there other, possibly intriguing projects on the horizon?” - Janet Washer

3) Cheyenne Nation

“More back story on Henry? Family, education, something beyond football and military?” - Virginia Rawak Bruce

4) Name That Tune

”So, if we were to climb into Walt’s truck, the Silver Bullet, what would we find in the CD player?” - Chet Carlson

5) Valentine’s Day

“Is there a real Vic “The Terror” Moretti?” - Nora Lou Wilson

6) Which Walt?

“Has your vision of Walt changed since your first story now that there is a face to Walt (in the form of Robert Taylor)? Robert put so much into the character that when I read the stories now, I picture him.” - Bryan Hall

7) More, Please?

“Not that I’m greedy, but have you considered additional series? So, we get two Craig Johnson books a year? Any character knocking around in your head, trying to get out?” - Meg E. Dobson

8) It’s the Mileage

“What time period does the Longmire series occur? It appears to be in the present, yet that would make Walt 69 years old if he was born in 1950, based on him going to Vietnam at age 18. So, I am having problems reconciling the time period and Walt’s age.” - Kelly Sumerton Krochmalny

9) Bringing the Thunder

“How did you meet Marcus Red Thunder? And do you think you / Walt would have had such a spiritual connection to all things in nature and people if it wasn’t for that relationship?” - Liz King

10) Cinéma Vérité

“Is there a storyline that you’d like to see turned into a movie? Or an episode when Longmire relaunches (fingers-crossed)? I’m currently listening to An Obvious Fact and I’d love to see this one on screen.” - Beaner Krenk

11) Overaged, Overweight, Overly

Depressed…

“Now that you and all of us readers know Walt, is there anything that you would have wanted different about him, but cannot change at this point?” - Nancy Swaney Moss

12) On The Scent

“I am curious how Walt would have come upon Jo Malone perfume, if he is the one who bought it for Martha. How did Martha find it in such a small town as Durant?” - Sami Long Kopelman

13) Grand Larceny

“T.S. Eliot said, “Good writers borrow, GREAT writers steal.” Who do you like to steal from and why?” - Ry Brooks

14) Headstrong

“Forgive me if someone has asked this before. I have some small understanding of what happened to Walt’s grandfather, but will we ever know more about what happened to his mom and dad?” - Terry Anastassiou

15) Shortcuts

“Will there be more like “Wait For Signs”? Really enjoy the short stories as well. Wish more authors would publish these nubs of ideas.” - Steve Williams

16) Own Recognizance

“You’re pretty much a (for want of a better term) ‘celebrity’ writer now, but there must have been a time when you weren’t. Can you recall the time when you realized that you had gone from a relatively unknown writer to a celebrity, and how did that feel? - Carolyn McGill

17) You Can’t Go Home Again

“Why does Walt not live on his family land? Is there a back story short on the making about Walt’s younger years? As in the missing years?” - Nita Reinhold

18) Sharp-Dressed Man

“I feel like Columbo. Just one more question. I saw Craig at an event, and he is highly entertaining. My only complaint is that it was over WAY too soon. He took a question about his boots, and went through everything a cowboy wears, and it was very informative. Would he review all of that with the group? - Robert Lang

19) A Man And His Dog

“Craig, I am crazy about Dog. This may sound like a 7-year-old writing to Santa, but would you consider a Christmas story featuring this much loved and oh so wise character?” - Marnie Patterson Leonard

20) A Soldier, An Indian, and a Writer

Walk Into a Bar…

“I’m assuming from the title of your next book, The Next To Last Stand, that you had to do a lot of research, is that something you enjoy?” - John Sothen

21) The Final Chapter

“Have you mapped out the story of Walt and comp or do you go with the flow? Do you have an ending in mind?” - Mary Jane Spice

22) Old Schooled

“Could you possibly learn to write with both hands so we could get two new books a year?” - Tim Goncharoff

23) Reaffirmation

“How did Judy feel when you killed off Martha before even beginning the story? Did you promise her a reincarnation as Vic? Walt is so much you… Vic is so much Judy, was Martha the sadness that had potential to be lightened with Vic?” - Pamela Murphy

24) Spiritual Guardian

“Some of my favorite threads in your books deal with the spirituality of the Cheyenne Nation. Would you consider featuring Virgil White Buffalo in a (new) book? I’d like to know more about the deep connection between Walt and Virgil.” - Terry Badgett Cooper

25) Robert Who?

“Lucian as a younger sheriff. Walt and Henry as children. How did Omar get rich?” - Roxanna Posey

26) Family Values

“Walt says his smart aleck tendencies came from his mother. His love of books and learning from his father. Did his tenacity, stubbornness, temper and overall bulldog attitude when on a case come from his grandfather? If so, are the similarities what really drove the conflict in the kitchen you describe in Dry Bones?” - Thad Vinson

27) A Passing Resemblance

“I have seen you in person a number of times, read all the books and listened to George’s Audible recordings. When you write, are you Walt Longmire writing the story or are you removed from the characters?” - Tammy Legerski

28) Shanachie

“I’m a long-distance truck driver and love your books, especially the audio versions. How did you get George Guidall as the reader for your books?” - Ed Dubly

29) Formidable

“Where did Walt’s tendency to run into danger come from Vietnam or from his youth?” - Tom Lowe

30) It’s Not The Years…

“Now that the books have become a huge success, do you regret making Walt an older gentleman? (Unlike the middle- aged Walt in the TV Series). Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to cut the book series short?” - Donna Lynn Blankenship

31) Of Mice and Modems

“Knowing Walt’s aversion for technology, I’m wondering if you have the same attitudes and has that made the challenges of a Virtual Longmire Days that much more challenging?” - Paul Landon

32) Cowboy Up

“I’ve heard you say that building your ranch was one of the best things in teaching yourself how to write your novels, how so?” - Brittney Kimes

33) Art Appreciation

“What made you finally decide to write a book about the Little Bighorn?” - Jim Chihuly

34) Fallen Star

“Were there any surprises about Custer in all the research you did for Next To Last Stand?” - Scott Bynum

35) The Highway, Man

“I wonder if the fact that Craig’s books are always released right at the Autumn Equinox has any significance. Is this on purpose, or just a fluke?” - Elizabeth Robertson Waggoner

36) Funny You Should Ask

“I was glad to hear Next To Last Stand was on the humorous side, I love all your books but the one’s that make me laugh are my favorites. There aren’t that many mystery novels that are honestly funny and I was wondering how you decided to include that component?” - Josie Poole

37) All Quiet On The Western Front Forty

“Judy, what’s it like living at the ranch when Craig’s writing?” - Craig Johnson

38) Walt’s Last Waltz

“Not to be morbid, but have you thought about writing a book that will finish the series? And just keep it in reserve in case you get sick or something happens to you? I am thinking of Sue Grafton and how she passed before she finished the Kinsey Milhone series, or how Henning Mankell became ill and wrote the ending to Wallander?” - Lynn Henderson Thompson

39) The Write Stuff

“I was wondering, when you finish a book do you take some time off, celebrate, or do you start right back in again?” - Betty Durbar

40) Making His Mark

“I have noticed that in every signature of yours I have seen, there is a dot after the last “n’ in Johnson. Is that done to fight counterfeiting?” - Joseph Bennett

41) Play It Again, Walt

“I’ve noticed a lot of musical references in Next To Last Stand and was wondering if music is a large component in the ideas for all your novels.” - Betty Wagner

42) Wanted Poster

“I’ve noticed a lot of authors are abandoning some forms of social media or don’t put much effort into their pages, but you’ve got a healthy presence—is this kind of activity enjoyable for you?” - Gary Frazier

43) Because It’s There

“I seem to recall that Walt and Henry got into trouble golfing one time, but you don’t strike me as a golfer. What recreational activities do you take part in?” - June Anderson

44) Changeup Pitch

“When writing a mystery series, how do you prevent yourself from creating the same “aha!” moment when you reveal the culprit? How do you stray from the same “mystery novel” footprint? I’ve read other author’s work… and some, (cough cough… Dan Brown) you can make an educated guess in the first 60 pages as who the bad guy is, and you’d probably be right. How do you prevent this? How do you structure your writing to make sure you’re not predictable? And how do you use different characters to prevent the story from repeating itself over such a long series?” - Zach Crowe

45) Toujours L’Amour

“What is it about Longmire that appeals to the French? What is it like to do a book tour in France? What about Henry’s time in France? We need to know more about the French connection.“ - Ann Wilson

46) Reading The Range

“In an earlier answer you talked about preferring to read books for your research. But I’m curious how you get access to them. Do you buy them or borrow from the library? And how do you build your research list or determine what to read next? And lastly as a result of your research have you changed something in one of your stories?” - Charis Wilson

47) The Best Medicine

“We (your readers) have all attracted attention for laughing aloud in public while reading your books. What are a couple of scenes from your books that have actually made you laugh as you were writing them? And how ever did you come up with them?” - Anne Maclachlan

48) Portrait of the Artist

“This is an odd question, but who picks out the author photos in your books, you or the publisher?” - Jeanette Palmer

49) Eye of the Beholder

“I was wondering why the artwork on the covers of your books have changed?” - John Zabell

50) In Thanks

“What are you thankful for?” - Judy

Johnson