Welcome to The Creative Council, where I interview creatives about their lives and work and the ups and downs of being a creative soul.
Today’s interview is with a duo of writers who write together under a pen name:
Ronesa Aveela is ‘the creative power of two.’ Two authors, that is.
The main force behind the work, Nelly, the creative genius, was born in Bulgaria and moved to the US in the 1990s. She grew up with stories of wild Samodivi, Kikimora, the dragons Zmey and Lamia, Baba Yaga, and much more.
Her writing partner, Rebecca, was born and raised in the New England area. She has a background in writing and editing, as well as a love of all things from different cultures. She’s learned so much about Bulgarian culture, folklore, and rituals, and writes to share that knowledge with others.
Since the writing begins with Nelly and is about her heritage, she has answered most the questions.
The Interview
Hello both! I’m so grateful you could both find the time to do this me :) Let’s get started!
· When did you start creating? Do you remember what pulled you in?
I have been expressing myself through art since I was a child, primarily through drawing and painting. Always inspired by my culture and the mysteries of folktales and mythology, my journey took a significant turn in 2012. After reading an article that misrepresented a Bulgarian wedding, my children inquired about our family customs. This prompted me to sit down and write our first book, ‘Mystical Emona,’ which portrays Bulgarian culture. This marked the beginning of our journey. In fact, this year, we are celebrating a milestone as it has been ten years since we published our first book.
· When did you start pursuing your current craft for real? As in, when did you begin to take yourself seriously as a creator?
I began to pursue my current craft seriously after the publication of our first book. The positive and constructive feedback we received from readers and writers was very rewarding. One review in particular stood out, where someone mentioned they looked up Bulgaria on Google Maps after reading our book. This feedback encouraged us to continue on this challenging journey.
· How long did it take you to complete your first work?
Looking back, completing our first book took a considerable amount of time. I think we worked on it for at least two years. With hindsight, I would certainly approach it differently. Being part of a peer review group was beneficial, but at the same time we received various feedback and ideas that influenced the book and its plot.
Someday, if I have the time, I would like to work on a second edition of the book and return it to the original idea, or make it less complex. I suppose this is how we learn and grow as creators.
· How long does it generally take you to complete a work?
It depends on the book. I usually have a lot of ideas, the easiest part is to do the first draft, but after that Rebecca needs to move things around to make the plot brilliant. I think she can address this question better.
Rebecca: When we first started, we completed only one book a year. As we’ve learned more, we’ve been able to about cut that time down in half or even a third. At least for fiction. Our nonfiction takes longer because of all the research needed. From start to finish, those books still take up about a year’s time.
· Of all the milestones you’ve reached thus far, what has been your favourite?
I think the major milestone is that we are two writers working together for more than ten years, and we have around thirty published books. Our words, whether in printed form or on blogs, have reached thousands of readers in 137 countries. I call this a huge success.
· When was the last time you celebrated a creative milestone?
We celebrate after each book is born. Our latest book is a special edition of our book about Bulgarian rituals and customs, Light Love Rituals, which is available on Kickstarter, starting April 16. This is special, not just to celebrate our ten years in publishing, but also because it is dear to my heart. The book is dedicated to a friend and mentor who passed away last year. The cover and thirty-ive images are ones this special man painted over his lifetime.
· What do you struggle with most as a creative person?
Balancing creativity with other tasks, such as marketing and finance. I wish writers could just concentrate on writing. Also, finding readers who will love our work is challenging.
· Have you always had that struggle or has it changed over time?
It’s a constant battle, one I’m sure other writers experience. With time and different means of publishing books, we have found some super fans, and that is exciting.
· What advice would you give to creatives dealing with the same?
Have reasonable expectations about what you can accomplish and manage your time carefully.
· What do you do to stay inspired?
Little wins are always good to keep my energy flowing and keep me moving. I am grateful for the support from readers and my family. One of the hardest things is to make people around you take you seriously as a writer, as a creator.
· What’s the best creative advice you ever received?
From Paul Arden and his book: ‘Whatever you think, think the opposite.’
You can find and connect with the two authors behind Ronese Aveela on their website and by signing up to their newsletter here on Substack.
Their current Kickstarter campaign for their special edition of Light Love Rituals is now live and can be found here and will end on 9 May.
Travel to a land of magic and mystery, where colorful traditions abound.
Take a virtual trip to Bulgaria and discover not only their rich cuisine, but also their fascinating folklore and rituals, some of which date back to the time the ancient Thracians inhabited the land.
Are you a creative and would you like to be interviewed next? E-mail me at marielle@mswordsmith.nl and we’ll make it happen!
What a very interesting and unique collaboration!