Hi, I’m Max Vos or as some call me, the Inappropriate Max Vos. For those of you who know me and follow my own blog, you’ll know that there are times when you never know what is going to come out of my mouth. Mainly because after I retired, I tossed out that internal edit thingy. I will pretty much say anything that is on my mind.

Today, well…I’ve been rather involved in trying to finish up this next book. When I’m really into it, I forget things, like eating. Yesterday I realized that I’d gone the entire day without eating until dinner time. Yeah, so…the rest of the world seems to blur around me. This latest book has really taken hold of me, so I’ve been a bit distracted and almost forgot I was supposed to be doing this blog.

I asked a friend of mine what the hell I should write about today. She suggested that I tell y’all a little about me and how I write. So here goes….wish me luck.

I was in the food and hospitality industry for over 30 years. I retired. I was bored. I was depressed and then I started writing. I read my first M/M romance novel in 1976. The Lord Won’t Mind by Gordon Merrick. For those who don’t remember that time, or it was before your time, that book was on the New York Times Best Seller List for many weeks. Yep, a M/M romance novel. Now there wasn’t full on sex scenes in it, but then it didn’t need it. It was a great read. He went on to write several others, which I also read. None had quite the success as that first one, but they all did well.

When I first started writing, I was terrible at it. Awful in fact, but remember, the only thing I’d written since school was a menu! I had a rough time of it. So did those who were trying to help me. Damn, but I was frustrated. But I worked at it and started to get the hang of it. I’m still learning.

For me, when I’m writing, I focus on the characters first. I do a complete outline on them. I get to know them. I really go into great detail on who they are, their backstory, the whole nine yards. By the time I’m done with that, they are really talking to me. Sometimes yelling. After that, I just tell their story.

I do not do an outline of a story. I don’t plot out the story. I tried that once. Pfft, that went out the window real quick. A good friend of mine does all that. Beats me how she is able to go that route, but everyone is different I suppose.

For me? Hell, my characters take over. All I do is take dictation for the most part. Honestly, there are times I’m looking out the window and they completely take over, typing away. There was one time my hands started cramping up and when I looked at the clock and I’d been writing for four straight hours. I had no clue what was on the screen. Later that night I read through it all and shook my head. I’ve got some real pervy characters, let me tell you.

My book, My Hero was the worst. Those boys were constantly in bed doing the nasty. At one point I was like, “Look, lay off you guys. Tell the story here. Keep your flippin’ clothes on!” They didn’t listen. They kept right on screwing like rabbits. I had no control over them.

What kind of books do I write? All kinds. I don’t limit my guys as to what they do, who they are or what they are. I did a vampire book on a dare. I did college age guys. I’ve done regular guys. I’ve done rednecks, Harley riders and military. I do love me some Marines. So, as you can see I don’t limit myself at all.

I don’t hold back in real life either. I try to be a nice guy. I’m really pretty laid back and easy going. However, I do speak my mind. I’m old enough to not give a rat’s ass to be honest. So if you want to know something, just ask. But remember, ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies.

Don’t know if this gave you any insight as to who I am, but again, ask. I’m an open book for the most part. Ummm, I might even tell you to mind your own business. LOL

I do ask one small thing of people around me. I ask that you do one small thing for someone else. It doesn’t have to big. It doesn’t have to cost anything. Just pick a random stranger and do something nice. It makes a big difference in how you feel about yourself, and it can also make someone else’s day. So go forth and just do it.

Thanks,

Max