Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Last year I finished my second bachelor’s degree and promised myself that this year would be my writing year. I had a plan – a great plan to submit articles, short stories and poems to all sorts of places while I worked on getting the two books I had done published. My plan went out the window sometime in January. This year I’ve self-published ten books. I have a series of poetry books – Moments in Nature, Moments in Spirit, and Moments in Life; a meditation book – Moon Affirmations; a romance novel – Secret Past; a fantasy series with two books – Defenders of the People and Defenders of the Land; and a science fiction series – Wayfarer, Wayfarer Clans, Wayfarer Immemorial. It’s been a fun and surprising year for me and my plan – blown.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wayfarer Immemorial – science fiction novel, the third in a series. I love Star Trek, Star Wars, and pretty much any story having to do with space. The Wayfarer series started during a period of extreme insomnia over the summer. The third book just flew off my fingers as I worked on it. I love the way the characters have become close friends and how they work to face the troubles they have. I combined romance, adventure, space, special powers all into one short novel and think it turned out really well.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Most of the time, I’m in my recliner with my netbook, a single light on overhead, classical music on and so focused I forget the time and everything except what I’m working on. I swear there are nights I’m going to go to bed early. It ends up being early in the morning not early in the night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up in a household of readers. There is a joke amongst the brothers-in-law in my family that if you are moving one of the sisters you have to plan on a truckload just for our books. When I think of my favorite books I have a hard time narrowing it down. I’ve read across a wide variety of genres – Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony, Nora Roberts / JD Robb, Suzanne Brockmann, Shakespeare, O Henry, Longfellow, Frost, Dickens, Louis L’Amour, JK Rowling, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Tamora Pierce, and I know I’m forgetting more.
What are you working on now?
I always have more than one project going. I’m working on the third in the Defenders series and the fourth in the Wayfarer series. I also have a few short stories I want to get into an anthology.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write, write. When you’re done writing do more. When you think you’ve got it then be tough because there are always people willing to tell you your writing sucks. It might – but keep trying.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you’re not being rejected regularly, maybe you’re not trying hard enough.” Kathy Ireland
What are you reading now?
I have three books going – in my car while I drive to and from work I’m listening to Glory in Death by JD Robb. When I’m crocheting, I am listening to Cast in Peril by Michelle Sagara. On my kindle I’m wading through Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I finish off the Defenders series (one more I think), I want to go back to non-fiction for a couple of ideas. It just depends on what grabs my attention and what story wants to be told the most.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m sorry but any desert island better come with a complete library or wifi so I can download books. If you force my hand to pick just three or four, the complete works of William Shakespeare, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow complete works, JD Robbs in Death series (which I know is way more than four books but they are entertaining). I’ll go without clothes to have more books.
Author Websites and Profiles
Eileen Troemel Website
Eileen Troemel Amazon Profile
Eileen Troemel Author Profile on Smashwords