May 1, 2026

“The Author and the Pea”

by Craig Johnson

I ordered a new mattress the other day because the old one was about twelve years old and besides, it’s where I do my best work... Um, let me explain. An awful lot of the times as a writer, you find yourself painting yourself and your characters into a corner, even with copious and detailed outlines. It just happens if you’re willing to be lured out there on that thin ice of improvisational writing where the best stuff is, the real red meat of literature. I don’t know how many times I’ve sat there next to the wood-burning stove on the sofa in the evening with my wife and have her interrupt my thoughts. “What’s the matter?” “Book.” Which is my general response in these situations. “It’ll work itself out.” Which is also her general response. It’s not that she doesn’t care, it’s just that she’s been through this tete-a-tete so many times that she’s developed a measured response that only amplifies if need be and I’m not at that point, just yet. What she means by It’ll work itself out is that I should, literally, sleep on it. It’s annoying, but with all due respect, she’s right. About eight times out of ten, if I go to sleep with some aspect of a book bedeviling me -- by morning I’ve worked it out. I’m not sure what the science of it is, but I do know that just because your body is resting, your mind isn’t necessarily following suit. I’m not consciously lying there studying on the problem or I’d never get any sleep at all, but there must be some level of somnambulism that you arrive at where some portion of you mind is suddenly unfettered from the moribund aspects of existence and swans away to graciously solve the problems day-bound consciousness simply can’t. Sleep on it. There’s a lot of truth to those old adages and I’ve come to accept and even appreciate my wife’s advice. The only concern now, is will my creative subconscious find an expansive, new environ to solve all my problems on the new Beautyrest Series One, Extra-Firm? It never ends. Wish me luck on that one, won’t you. Happy Trails, Craig PS: The latest Walt Longmire Mystery, The Brothers McKay, comes out in about a month on May 26th and if you want to meet up and listen to me rattle on like a pebble in a hubcap check the Tour of Duty dates below. PPS: If you’re not near any of these wonderful events you can order a signed and personalized copy from our store, the Bucking Buffalo Supply Company. The Brothers McKay Tour 2026 May 26th (Tuesday) - Spokane, WA • 7:00 pm - Northwest Passages with Auntie’s Books May 27th (Wednesday) - Phoenix, AZ • 7:00 pm - The Poisoned Pen Bookstore May 28th (Thursday) - Dallas, TX • 7:00 pm - Half Price Books • In conversation with Scott Montgomery May 29th (Friday) - Houston, TX • 1:30 pm - Murder by the Book May 30th (Saturday) - Raleigh (Pittsboro), NC • 11:00 am - McIntyre’s Books May 31st (Sunday) - Philadelphia (Wayne), PA • 6:00 pm - Main Point Books June 1st (Monday) - Mechanicsburg, PA • 7:00 pm - Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop June 2nd (Tuesday) - Princeton, NJ • 6:30 pm - Barnes & Noble June 3rd (Wednesday) - Phoenixville PA • 6:30 pm - Reads & Company June 5th (Friday) - Portland, OR • 7:00 pm - Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing June 6th (Saturday) - Sunriver, OR • 5:00 pm - Sunriver Books June 7th (Sunday) - Littleton, CO • 3:00 pm - Tattered Cover Aspen Grove June 8th (Monday) - St. Louis, MO • 7:00 pm - St. Louis County Library (Clark Family Branch) with The Novel Neighbor • In conversation with Scott Phillips June 9th (Tuesday) - Loveland, CO • 6:00 pm - Barnes & Noble June 10th (Wednesday) - Cheyenne, WY • Noon - Barnes & Noble June 10th (Wednesday) - Casper, WY • 6:00 pm - Wind City Books at Gruner Brothers Brewery June 11th (Thursday) - Gillette, WY • 6:00 pm - Campbell County Library June 12th (Friday) - Billings, MT • This House of Books at Billings Public Library June 13th (Saturday) - Bozeman, MT • Noon - The Country Bookshelf June 13th (Saturday) - Livingston, MT • 4:00 pm - Elk River Books June 14th (Sunday) - Minneapolis, MN • 4:00 pm - Once Upon a Crime Bookstore June 15th (Monday) - Mendota, MN • Minnesota Mystery Night w/ William Kent Krueger • 7:00 pm - Lucky’s 13 Pub June 16th (Tuesday) - Sheridan WY • 6:00 pm - Sheridan Stationery at Black Tooth Brewing Company