Feb 4, 2011

Lost Island Smuggler ~ Max Elliot Anderson

Interview with Max Elliot Anderson
Author of Lost Island Smugglers



Loves 2 Read:   Could you tell us a little about the books you write for boys, and a bit about your background?
Max:   I grew up hating to read. My father wrote over 70 books and I didn’t read any of them. He also ran a film production studio where they made a lot of dramatic films. I often hung around the studio to watch the actors do their work. It was during this time that I learned about story, pacing, plot, dialog, humor, drama, and timing. When it came time to begin writing, I found that these elements were firmly imbedded in my mind.
I graduated from college with a degree in psychology, was drafted into the army for two years, during the Vietnam era, and returned home to film production work after that. Film projects have taken me all around the world and across the US, Canada, and South America. Many of these experiences have provided story ideas and characters for the books I write today. I’ve written thirty-six manuscripts so far, and am writing action adventures and mysteries that I think I would have loved as a child.

Loves 2 Read:   Where do you get your inspiration or ideas for the characters/stories you write?
Max:   Many of the characters come from my somewhat wacky childhood. We always had an interesting cast of characters around us in school, the neighborhood, and church. And there was never a shortage of adventure or fun things to do. I grew up in Wolf Lake, Michigan, which was a sort of wonderland for a child growing up. We lived in a wooded area with hundreds of acres of trees. Wolf Lake was great for swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. Many of my locations for stories come from actual places where I’ve visited while shooting film and video projects.

Loves 2 Read:    What is the main message you want the boys to grasp in this story?
Max:   Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together. Tony’s father owned a marina, so Tony got them in for free. After the boys completed the course, they decided to try their new skills in the ocean. The only problem was, none of them had permission to go, or to take one of the sailboats out for their diving adventure. The basic message I want boys and girls to grasp is about honesty, and to know that the things you do wrong can’t be hidden forever. The book also carries a strong anti-drugs message.

Loves 2 Read:    Who is your favorite character, and why?
Max:    That’s hard to say. It’s a little like asking which of my children I like best...impossible to answer. Each character has his or her own unique traits, quirks, positive strengths and negative challenges. I truly can say that I like them all.

Loves 2 Read:   What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
Max:    I didn’t start writing until later in life. Because of that, the last nine years have been consumed with writing, finding an agent, locating publishing opportunities, platform building, speaking, and promoting my finished work. It hasn’t left a lot of time for much else. I’m hoping that will change before too long. I do enjoy collecting coins and stamps. I also enjoy NASCAR. My son and I go to the Daytona 500 each year. I’d love to have the opportunity to do some traveling with my wife eventually, and not have to drag a bunch of video production equipment and a crew along. Most of my travel has been work related so a change like that would be great.
     

Thank you Max for your willingness to interview with me, and your donation of a new book for this giveaway!  Make sure to check out Max E Anderson's websites:  http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/    and   http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/

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