Guest blogger Eileen Troemel
Hi! When I introduce myself, I like to tell people I have a split personality because I write across three names.
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RJ Stone is my newest pen name and she’s writing (yes I’m referring to myself in the 3rd person – weird) children’s stories. Current release – Dragon of Frendur – a chapter book for 8 to 10 year olds which is about an ordinary village which stands out in absolutely no way – well until a dragon drops out of the sky and into their village square. https://books2read.com/RJ-Dragon-of-Frendur
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Eileen Troemel is my name and I write romance, scifi romance and fantasy and nonfiction. The heat level on these range from sweet to spicy. I also am an avid crocheter and create my own patterns. I’ve been published in magazines and publish my own patterns. My other non-fiction products are three poetry books and a meditation book based on the cycle of the moon. My latest release is Seven Sisters which is post plague (I swear I started this 2 years ago) earth, where aliens invade looking for their fated mates. https://books2read.com/Seven-Sisters
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Ava Taylor is my last pen name. She (again with the 3rd person) write erotica. They are sexy, steamy romances which may be a short story or a full novel. Either way – the focus is on sex and how often it can be incorporated into the story. Her latest release was Genetic Match where Anita – a space ship hauler – spends a lovely night in bed – and all over the room with her Tozian lover Borel only to find out his Genetic Partner Taler has arrived. This book contains a lot of swearing and sex… because it’s an Ava book. I spent my time laughing when I wrote this one. https://books2read.com/Avas-Genetic-Match
At this point – oh I do like numbers – I’ve published 68 crochet products (single and multiple patterns), 9 short stories, 47 erotica novels / short stories, and 38 full length novels.
The experts say stick with a niche. Find a genre and write exclusively in that genre. I say boring. My philosophy – tell a good story. It doesn’t matter the length – sometimes it can be told in 10K words and sometimes it takes 100K words. Develop your characters. Make them real not perfect. Make them good and bad. Give them depth and feeling. Make them vulnerable and demanding. Look at the people around you and see how complex they are – then write your characters the same way. Create a plot which is believable. Add as many twists and turns as you can manage. Surprise yourself – which in turn will surprise the readers hopefully. By the end of your story – tie up those plot lines. Don’t leave your reader hanging. Oh some may carry over into the next book (if there is one) but for the most part, bring your story to an end.
In addition to all the books and patterns, I’m a blogger too. This is how I met the lovely people from BVS. I think – though don’t hold me to this – I met Alice Renaud first and her A Merman’s Choice intrigued me. When you hear about a mer people type novel – I think most people think mermaids. I like she went outside the box and made the merperson a merman. I found her writing delightful.
When I read, I read as a reader – light let’s escape the world reading, a writer – I would have said that this way or that, and as an editor – how well crafted is this story. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? But really this means I have levels of liking / not liking stories. I’ve found I don’t like stories – not my type of story as a reader but as a writer and editor – I can respect the craft and skill put into a story.
One of the things I respect about BVS is the quality of writers they publish. I read their anthology Mystic Desires and loved the variety of writing styles, imaginations, and the quality of writing in the book. Not all the stories knocked it out of the park for me but I read them all and enjoyed the skill behind the writing.
Several of the authors from BVS have been featured in my book blog and author interviews. It’s been wonderful working with them. Callie Carmen has been on with her books Anthony, Nicholas and Joseph I think have all been featured – I missed out on Patrick. I think his book came out before I knew Callie. Callie and Alice (and others from BVS) have been wonderful to work with for my blog but also in getting to know them. Callie took time to introduce me to more social media and ways to speed up posting to them. All of the people from BVS have been supportive of my writing – whether it was blog postings or my books. This is a genuinely nice group of people to work with.
Stalk me (Eileen Troemel) if you dare….
Website: https://eileentroemel.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/EileenTroemel
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EileenTroemelAuthor/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileentroemel/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/
MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7868345.Eileen_Troemel
Stalk RJ Stone for the kids
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RJStone18
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rjstone/
Website: https://rjstoneauthor.weebly.com/
It was fun getting to know you and your multiple personalities, Eileen. LOL. I’m impressed with your numbers, and the crocheting has me intrigued. I also loved your comments on switching it up to fight the boredom. Sage advice.
Hi Gibby Thank you! I don’t read the same genre all the time – that would be tedious. I like variety and I like stretching my abilities as a writer.
What a wonderful blog. I had no idea that you were three people in one. Great writing advice. I left you a chat note in MeWe. You are full of surprises.
Callie
Thank you! I like to write a lot of different things. I don’t think I’ll get more pen names but you never know. Thank you for all your help!
Thank you so much Eileen for your kind support! I was a newly published author and you were the first blogger to approach me and offer to help me promote my book on your site. I am so impressed with your range and the variety and quality of your writing!
Hi Alice:
I didn’t know that. I’m really glad I could help! You’re writing is so good and I love your unique take on the mermen. Your second book is on my list to read! Thank you!
Great blog, Eileen. I 100% agree with making characters real and not perfect – terrific advice for writers.
Thank you Estelle! As a reader, I want characters who I love or hate – this is why I try to write dynamic characters – it doesn’t always work…
Great writing advise, Eileen. Thank you for sharing. Three names, three different worlds to live in. I can’t keep one world together let alone three.
You’re a very interesting lady!
There are days I don’t know who I am but mostly it’s a matter of managing – mostly. I will switch back and forth between writing for all three of them so that’s always interesting. I tend to work on two to four projects at a time.
Wow. That’s a lot of pen names, crochet patterns, and books written. Very impressive. Great writing tips. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I shoo my people off to their own spaces and spend most nights writing, editing, crocheting, and working.
It is great to have you here Eileen, can’t wait for your next blog.
Eileen is one of my good facebook friends and I didn’t know how prolific she was! I gotta work harder to catch up!
Yes, I have known her for a while and it surprised me.
You have to write your way and in your own time. You’ll get there. I love your stories. They make me laugh every time I read them.
You write quite the variety 🙂 That’s so cool. I can’t wait to check out your work.
You have to write your way and in your own time. You’ll get there. I love your stories. They make me laugh every time I read them.
Thank you! I love meeting all you wonderful people at BVS – such an interesting variety of writing and genres!
Wonderful post, Eileen! It’s great getting to know you better.
Hi Dee! Thank you! You’re very kind!