Today I’m pleased to welcome Bobby Michaels, a veteran of life and love. Bobby has been writing for over 4 decades for different mediums — magazines, ezines and electronic publishing. Recently one of his books was published in print, Veterans 2: Nothing to Lose, which is available here. Bobby has published 8 electronic books through Loose-id and he has several new works coming out soon that I, for one, am looking forward to with great anticipation. His newest release Marine Love: Weekend Leave is scheduled to be published just before Veterans Day.
Bobby is learning to write all over again using cutting edge technology. He suffered a devastating illness almost a year ago which impacted his ability to type, but he is back on the horse and fans of his writing will be able to continue enjoying his books. He has several new releases over the next 3 – 6 months and he’ll talk about them in this short interview which he granted to update his fans about his life today, and what’s coming up in terms of new books.
Bobby could you begin by telling us something about yourself that you have never told anyone 
before?
In the dedication for my new book Marine Love: Weekend Leave I mentioned Mike, the Marine I had as a lover. This was during Vietnam. Mike had been a recon Marine and a sniper. He also, like so many, had become addicted to heroin while in Vietnam. The horror of what he had seen and done never left him. He could not live with it and after two years committed suicide. I found him in our apartment in his dress blues and the gun he used to kill himself in his hand.
You became very ill almost a year ago when you suffered a stroke on December 22, 2007. How are you feeling now? Are you managing OK with Dragonspeak to help you write your books?
I still have problems with balance and, in fact, I have another CT scan scheduled for October 24.
I’m writing this interview with Dragonspeak. Marine Love: Weekend Leave is the first book to be written completely with it. I still have some trouble with it writing things I don’t say but it is getting better. I wish I could say the same for my health. I get tired much more easily than I ever did. This was particularly true during my recent trip to Washington.
How long have you been writing and what was your first book that was published?
I have been writing since I was fourteen but long before that, I was reading at about age 3. I have always been a voracious reader and it just makes sense to me that I would end up writing. My 
first romance stories were published when I was 15 and in military school. There used to be these trashy romance magazines like TRUE DIVORCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, etc. and I was writing stories for them under several female pen names – – kind of like the women who write male/male romance today and use ambiguous pen names. I did have one piece of poetry published when I was 20 in an anthology. My favorite poet is Ogden Nash and I’ve always been very proud that that poem was funny and dedicated to him.
As far as books are concerned, the first one I ever had published was JOCK DORM: DAR AND GREGG. My first book in print was FOR THE LOVE OF THE CORPS. However, long before any of these, I spent almost 10 years writing at www.nifty.org where I have over 70 stories and novels under the name RIMPIG.
Bobby, your books are sometimes considered to be controversial because you push the envelope. I really love the Jock Dorm series and I’m so happy that the latest book is just around the corner. Do you want to talk about the reasons for some of the delays in releasing Jock Dorm 3: David and Connor? When do you expect the book to be published?
The problem with Jock Dorm 3 has a lot to do with the publisher. They are afraid that readers will become too upset if they print the book the way I wrote it. They don’t want David and Connor to have sex until David leaves the priesthood. That is not the way I wrote it. That is not the way it would happen in real life. As to when it will be published? I don’t know at this point. I may have to scrap the entire book and rewrite it. It thoroughly pisses me off that I have to put up with Roman Catholic censorship and sensibilities. I walked out of the Roman Catholic Church when I was 14 because of the Church’s narrow mindedness and homophobia. And I don’t want to cater to them now.
You have a new book coming out just in time for Veterans’ Day called “Marine Love: Weekend 
Leave.” Can you give us the blurb for the story?
Gods! I’m awful at blurbs, which my editors will gladly confirm, but I’ll give it a try.
“A lonely, cute nerd named Robby meets the guy of his dreams when he comes knocking at his front door. The guy is the son of Robby’s next-door neighbor whose name is Rick. Rick is a Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps and just back from Iraq. He’s on his way to Quantico Virginia to the Marine Corps OCS School there. What Robby doesn’t realize is that Rick is just as lonely and is eagerly searching for someone to love as he is.”
Is it love at first sight? Hey! This is one of MY books! What do you think? But there is a little problem that Rick has to fly to Quantico on Monday and what kind of life can they have together with him as a Marine Corps Officer? This book is the first of a trilogy about their love and their life together.
I understand that you have another novel coming out, the sequel to Second Time Around called Third Times The Charm. What is this story about and when do you expect to have it published?
In Second Time Around there were two characters introduced, Pete and Rich. At the end of the book the guys change into wolves. This book is going to be about them. It is also planned to be a murder mystery. And that’s all I’m going to say about it for now.
You are very open about your life which is quite different from other writers. Why is that?
I got sober in 1982. In Alcoholics Anonymous there are many slogans and sayings, among those is one I particularly love – “You are only as sick as your darkest secret.” I totally agree. I don’t have any secrets left. I came from a family of secrets. A family so sick and dysfunctional that the dysfunctionality actually killed my mother. I didn’t want to end up like that.
Your love life is legendary. Can you condense the highlights into a couple of paragraphs? (remember, this blog is rated NC 17 *g*)
I’ve had sex with over 10,000 men in my life, four of them were lovers. My first lover was in military school. I was 15 and he was 17. It was Romeo and Juliet all over again. When his father found out what was going on he yanked him out of school and I never saw him again. My second lover was my Marine. My third lover came about because we were both involved in political action in the gay rights movement. My fourth lover I had for 19 years until I came to realize that my needs were not being met by the relationship and I called it quits. That was about 15 years ago and there has been no one since.
I am one of your biggest fans and I think I have most if not all of your books and I’m constantly recommending them to friends. Just a few days ago I recommended Veterans: For the Love of the Corps to a gay male M/M reader. As a matter of fact I’ll try to review one of your books before your interview. If you had a choice which one would you like me to review on the blog?
If I have the choice, FOR THE LOVE OF THE CORPS (reviewed here). I put my heart, my soul, my blood, sweat and a lot of tears into the writing of this book.
You have expressed your appreciation for the help you received from your friends Kate Steele and Treva Harte over the past year. Is there one thing they did for you that was exceptional?
When I took ill, they both flew down to Fort Lauderdale, one from Indiana and one from Washington, DC to be with me and help take care of me. I cannot begin to tell you how much their friendship means to me.
I love your books because to me they are real and they tell us what sex and love are really like between two gay men. What would you say is the main difference between your writing and that of other M/M authors?
Okay. I’m then again in trouble for this answer. The main difference between my writing and that of a lot of other male/male authors is that I am a gay male. I’ve lived it. When I write about sex and love this is not fiction, this is memory. I started having sex with other guys when I was 14 so we’re talking about 43 years of experience that I’m drawing on. I first fell in love with another boy at the same age but didn’t do anything about it for a year. That is a story called Falling In Love With Charlie in the gay male high school section of Nifty
Can you tell us one fun thing about Bobby Michaels?
My favorite TV show is BONES. I had this incredible crush on David Boreanes. My favorite movie star? Matt Damon.
Thank you Bobby for joining us on the blog today. It was my pleasure to have you here since I am such a big fan of your work. I hope that things turn around for you health-wise and I look forward to many more books from Bobby Michaels, in both electronic and print mediums. Marine Love: Weekend Leave will be released in November by Loose-id.
And that’s a wrap.
Bobby Michaels contact information
email rimpigfl@yahoo.com
Yahoo Group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bobby_michaels_novels/info
Bobby Michaels Backlist
Jock Dorm: Dar and Gregg
Jock Dorm 2: Drew and Vince
Veterans: For the Love of the Corps
The Veteran
Rock Paper Scissors
Second Time Around
Red Heart Bowl
Treating Ty
Thank you, Bobby, for a great interview (and to Wave of course) I’ll certainly have to give your books a try, now.
As for your decision about the Roman Catholic problem – HEAR HEAR. Stick to your guns, not that you need me to say that. The publisher of Standish – who seemed to have no problems with rape, or 16 year old sex – suddenly got panicky about my next book, Transgressions because I had Witchfinders in it. And they didn’t like the fact that they were religious sadists.
*headdesk*
And no – you don’t get into trouble for your comments about female writers – not at all. You ARE a gay man, so of course you have the reality to draw on. But of course – what people forget is (for example) I – as a woman has also been having sex with men for years!! *laughs*
All the best, and I look forward to reading your books.
Erastes
http://www.erastes.com
Hi Erastes
Thank you for coming by and checking out Bobby’s interview. I’m not sure if he’ll be able to navigate the blog with Dragonspeak but I know he’s looking forward to comments on his interview from his colleagues.
Wave
As you can read, Bobby and I are good friends. I’m willing to do a lot personally for my friends but I believe he got the same answer I’ve given to other authors who want to put controversial subjects in their stories — “That’s not what our readers expect. If you must write something controversial, make sure it’s important to the story and you’re willing to put up with readers who are very unhappy with you. And try to finesse it if you can.” Loose Id is not going to give readers a steady diet of controversial subjects. We will consider tough topics if they come in an amazing story that also delivers what our readers want.
Bobby can deal with controversy, I don’t know if he could finesse his way out of a paper bag (to murder a cliché), but he did rethink the story and it sounds like he’s going to write an even better Jock Dorm 3, one where the controversy will be worth it. I look forward to reading it.
I hope he’s reading the comments. He just got back from a visit to D.C. and may be headed back for some medical tests today. Take care, Bobby.
Hi Treva
Good morning. Thank you for commenting on Bobby’s interview and on Jock Dorm 3 in particular. As a fan of Bobby’s writing I hope that he can rewrite the story so that both he and Loose-Id can be proud of the final product. Personally, I will welcome the day JD 3 is published – it’s been a long wait.
He emailed me in the early hours of this morning so I think he will be reading the comments but I don’t know if Dragonspeak can navigate the blog so that he can respond.
Treva
I forgot to say how impressed I was that you and Kate Steele dropped everything to fly to Florida to help Bobby last December when he suffered his stroke. That, to me, is what true friendship is all about. Not many people know what you two ladies did and it was great that Bobby mentioned how appreciative he is for your friendship.
I’m not sure what to say to that. Bobby is a good friend and that’s what you do for those kind of friends. When he’s well he’s a pleasure to be around – he has the capacity to thoroughly enjoy the moment, which is something I’d love to have. And when he’s sick, you want him to hurry up and get better so he can enjoy himself again. This is getting really sappy, isn’t it.
Thanks Wave for having Bobby as your author of the week. It was a great interview.
Bobby, I hope you continue to improve healthwise. I have read all of your books published as Bobby Michaels and quite a few as RimPig at Nifty. I’ve enjoyed them all very much. I’m looking forward to your upcoming books. I sincerely hope you get to publish JD3 as you envision it, I’ll be waiting with fingers crossed 🙂
Hi Lily
Thank you for coming by to check out Bobby’s interview. I know that as a fan you have been looking forward to his interview since you found out that he was going to be on the blog. He’s been reading the comments on the blog but I don’t know if he can respond.
I also can’t wait for JD 3 and all the other books that I hope he will write. Marine Love: Weekend Leave should be available pretty soon.
Hey Treva
I think you can take it for others to find out what a nice, kind person you are to your friends. *g* Gee, what a comedown from the tough publisher image 🙂
Hey Bobby,
What a great interview and what an interesting life. I am going to check out your books right away–I love the idea of two big tough Marines getting hot and heavy and the fact that you actually lived it and can write from experience makes it even more appealing.
I sympathize with your problems with Dragon Naturally Speaking. I tried it myself way back at the beginning of my writing career, mostly because I didn’t type very well at the time. It can be a pain about confusing words and writing things you didn’t say so I feel your pain and frustration.
I hope you’ll be feeling better soon. Is your dizziness due only to the stroke? Or is it an inner ear disorder? If the latter you should be aware that a CT will not give you adequate images of your inner ears to see what the problem is. Ask for an MRI. (I’m a registered MRI tech in case you’re wondering.) MRI will also give a better picture of your brain and the area the stroke affected so if you can, get your DR to order one.
Hugs and have a great day. I can’t wait to dive into your books!
Evangeline
SHSHSHSH… I’m not here… you don’t see me… I’m actually hard at work, okay? ;-p But I knew, Wave, that you’d be posting your interview with Bobby and I’ve been watching for it.
Bobby, I am all kinds of happy that you’ve written a sequel to the extraordinary Second Time Around. Do you have any idea when Third Times the Charm will be released?
Now, listen, don’t let us greedy readers pressure you into pushing yourself too far. YOU are more important than any of your stories, although in reading this brutally honest and revealing interview, it’s apparent that you are a Survivor. Stay well and gain strength.
Hi Evangeline
I guess you noted that I’m Bobby’s scribe because I don’t know for sure if Dragonspeak can navigate the blog.
E. That’s such practical advice. I totally forgot that you’re a registered MRI Tech. I hope that he sees and follows your advice. My favourite of all Bobby’s books is Veterans: For Love of the Corps which is reviewed on the blog and if you want a recommendation you couldn’t do any better than start there.
Thanks so much for checking out his interview.
Wave
Bev
Should I tell everyone what you’re doing when you’re supposed to be working? *g*
Re the honesty of the interview, I wanted Bobby to be himself – I told him that the only thing he had to refrain from is showing dirty pics of himself.:)
As always, thanks for your support of the blog Bev.
Wave
When it comes to Bobby, what you see is what you get. He’s open, honest and yes, highly opinionated, I think that’s what drew me to him from the very start. Well, that and he was so very flattering when he wrote to me about a story I’d written, LOL.
It amazes me to this day that two people who live such disparate lives could end up such good friends. I believe, in our hearts, we are very much the same and that it’s the core of our friendship.
There were no surprises for me in Bobby’s interview. All these things he’s shared with me and more, but like every other fan of Bobby Michaels, I look forward to each and every new book. Bobby truly has a unique and unmistakable voice. It’s reflected in his writing and in the words, opinions and ideas I hear from him almost daily by phone.
Bobby, if you read this, your two watchdogs (Treva and I) have been trading e-mails concerning your health and certain goings on in DC that shall remain undetailed, Ahem.
You poor man, if you don’t watch out and take care of yourself, we’ll be running your life. Be afraid, be very afraid. LOL!
Hi Kate
I wasn’t sure if you were aware of Bobby’s interview and I’m so happy you were able to check it out especially since he said such nice things about you and Treva. Hmmm he never shared anything about Washington DC in his interview *g*
He’s really lucky to have such good friends like you and Treva.
Btw I hear great things about your latest book – Altered Heart – congratulations
Wave
I feel I’m the lucky one to have Bobby as a friend. He certainly has broadened my horizons and opened my eyes and imagination to things I might never have seen or dreamed of.
As for the DC happenings, those took place after his interview and I’m keeping my mouth shut about the more personal stuff. He did, however, get a chance to sing at Treva’s birthday party and from what I’ve heard he was quite the hit, no surprise there. He used to sing professionally.
Thanks for the congrats re Altered Heart. I’ve been getting quite a few compliments and readers already asking if and when the sequel will be out. I can answer the if, yes there will be a sequel but as to when it will be out, let me just say, as soon as I can make it happen.
And thanks for mentioning the book!
Bobby just checked in with me today to say he did get a MRI and unfortunately discovered he was claustrophobic in the process. However, the good news is that it’s done and now the doctors can work with that.
Hi Jesse and who speak again are !GO again, It would like again to observe that its analyses are spectacular and you it possesss an incredible vision on these analyzed books. I would like that answered you me if you are gay or hetero, a time that in the boy condition gay, I I see that these books have thematic extraordinary gay in general. Many of these books I would like to read to leave even though of its commentaries on them. I also would like to know (a time that I am only one Brazilian boy) as it is the United States while local to live itself. It is a curiosity mine, therefore, I am fascinated with the culture of its country. I also would like to know what he thinks on my country and what he has in it. I am writing a book, but, this does not have no thematic gay, but, only adventures, it would like that it passed for its analysis one day of these (I am playing with you (laugh))… (Laugh between parentheses in Brazil are when you want to express in paper a funny moment, for this, not if she scares, ok) It would also like to know because the boys are only of one day of the week and not of all… (Laugh) Until more Jesse and I wait for some word its. !GO PowerFuLL
Fabulous interview, and so great to hear more about a favorite author. I’m impressed and extremely happy to hear that we’ll be seeing more books from Mr. Michaels soon. 🙂
Jesse
I’m now a new follow of your blog…
May you be a follow in my blog or it’s impossible?
Please say it to my…
Bye.
Hi Kate
Just reading Bobby’s books has expanded my horizon so I can guess how you, as his friend, must feel and how he has changed your perspective.
I’m very happy that Bobby had a good time at Treva’s birthday party – I wonder if there are pictures *g* He sings too!! Is there no end to his talent? 🙂
Re Altered Heart, I guess I should get my copy now since I don’t want to be too much behind when the sequel comes out.
Hi Kacie
Thank you for coming by to check out Bobby’s interview. I can’t wait for Marine Love: Weekend Leave which should be coming out any time now.
Treva
I’ll be sure to tell Evangeline that Bobby did have an MRI done; now all he has to do is wait for the results. Have a good day.
!Go Powerful
Thank you for coming by the blog. I appreciate it.
To answer your questions – No, I’m not gay, I’m heterosexual but I love to read about the lives of gay men.
I’m very happy to learn that you’re writing a book and I wish you much success. I did visit your blog which I think is very nice but I only speak English so I could not understand the posts.
I would like that you were following of mine blog if possible Jesse and if you perceived I you are following of its blog. Debtor for me to answer the commentary. Until more !GO PowerFuLL 6.0
As many have said, this is a fantastic interview with Bobby. I've read all of his nifty stories and bought and read his ebooks.
I find it more than a little ironic that his publisher, who is already outside the mainstream in that it publishes m/f & m/m erotica, is practicing censorship (yes, I said it). Isn't that kind of like throwing stones in your own glass house?
Bobby is a strong writer with a huge following in the thousands. I can only suggest to his publisher that they trust in him as an writer that he can pull it off as he has done in his other works and, just as importantly, trust in us as readers. After all, we plunk down our hard-earned cash for good fiction, and those of us who read and love Bobby's work, already know that he takes risks. We also know that he can back it up.
If I had a vote, I'd say that I'm more interested in reading Jock Dorm 3 as he has written it, not as his publisher has dictated.
This is my opinion as a reader, and nothing more.
Hi Marame
Thank you for those insightful comments. I’m happy that you like the interview as wll.
As Treva explained, Loose Id is not going to give readers a steady diet of controversial subjects. We will consider tough topics if they come in an amazing story that also delivers what our readers want.
I can respect Treva’s point of view even though, as a reader, I would like to be able to judge content for myself. However, as a publisher, she has to weigh other issues that readers don’t. I have to reassure myself that I will enjoy Bobby’s revised book since I love his writing.
Marame
I should have said also that I’m sure Treva didn’t come to this decision lightly because she’s a very good friend of Bobby’s. He has always spoken highly of her and Kate Steele and all of his fans have heard about how she and Kate dropped everything and flew to Florida and stayed with him for several weeks to help him when he had his stroke.
I do understand how much you want to read this story. I can’t speak in more than generalities because going into a public discussion about specific edits for any particular story would be unfair to the author. I think readers will be happier with the new version as Bobby envisions doing it. I didn’t dictate that new version –I did offer suggestions which Bobby isn’t going to take. He’s going to make some changes that he decided to do and that he feels good about. And he promises the sex will happen when it happens because it’s necessary to the story.
While I am Bobby’s friend, we have a business relationship as well. The friendship makes it more difficult to say “no” or even “change this first” but I never say it to anyone, friend or not, without a lot of consideration. And I don’t say it unless I think it will work for the story and make it better.
Treva
As I’m sure you saw from my comments to Marame, I totally understand your position that, as a publisher you must weigh Loose-id’s business interests, in addition to the concerns of your authors and their readers.
I’m positive your decision must have been even more difficult, given your close friendship with Bobby. No doubt Bobby will be proud of the finished product. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog, with your very busy schedule.
Wave
Great interview. A lot of this I knew but it was nice to see it all together – with a few surprises.
As for JD3 – I understand Loose Id's POV as they already censor their content, I don't have a problem with that, I do it to myself. I'm sure that if I was connected with the religion, I'd be worried (but only a little bit) about how Bobby handled it.
I am POSITIVE that whatever Bobby comes up with will be wonderful & I'll snatch it up as soon as I see it for sale.
I love Bobby's books and after the first one, went to nifty and was saturated 😉 I look forward to everything he can write and re-read while I'm waiting.
Hi Gina
Thank you for checking out Bobby’s interview. I really admire his writing and the fact that he doesn’t give up, no matter what life throws at him in terms of his health.
I, too, am looking forward to both JD3 as well as his newest book Weekend Leave which I believe should be published around Veteran’s Day.
Finally I can get back to this interview! Wave, thanks for giving me the occasion to learn more about Bobby Michaels. Bobby, it was a captivating interview. Thanks a lot for opening yourself to us like that. I admire your courage and perseverance. You haven’t had an easy life but I think you lived it to the fullest and I’m sure your experience is reflected in your books. I have friends on another board who swear by your books. But this time I went to the site and actually read the excepts and really liked them, especially Second Time Around and the first Jock Dorm, so I’ll give those a try. Thanks a lot :).
By the way, I work with a voice-activated software in the course of my work and I have to give you big thumbs up for writing a full book with that. That thing often drives me crazy with its unaccuracy.