In The Lime Light / Eeva Lancaster- Eeva Lancaster’s Desk

Once again, it is the weekend. Time to kick back, relax, or, if you’re me, time to work on the Dark Fey Triology. As a result, I’ve come up with my In The Lime Light weekend spotlights for Authors, Bloggers, photographers, poets, …whoever really, who wants to share what they do through what I do to those who are doing what they do. (Care to be spotlighted? Just pop me a line!) Meanwhile, and without further ado (as there is already Much Ado About Nothing) (sorry, couldn’t resist the Shakespeare reference…you know it’s been a while since I dropped some Shakespeare on you!)

Do Please Meet Eeva Lancaster: Author, Blogger, Freelance writer, and more! Eeva is deeply involved in the self publishing industry. Editing, Writing, Book Design, Marketing. She started out as a blogger and freelance writer, then ultimately left her day job to freelance full time… and now, she spends her time with authors and their books, offering a wide range of services. But let’s allow Eeva to tell you more about what SHE does via the interview below.

Hi Eeva, Are you Ready? Great! Here we go:

Tell Us About Your Blog:

My blog, Eeva Lancaster’s Desk, talks about the self publishing industry in general. I share my experience as a self published author, book reviews, feature my favorite authors and sometimes I just rant. It’s my virtual home, and those who’d like to know what I’ve been up to can find me there. There’s so much to learn, and whenever I learn something new, I make it a point to write about it on my blog to help out other authors.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I didn’t WANT to be a writer, actually. I just find it easier to express myself in writing. When I entered the freelancing industry, it just made sense for me to market my writing skills. My experience as a freelance writer is what prompted me to publish my own books. 20 years ago though, I was into poetry. I love the written word. Always have. I guess it’s not about wanting to be a writer. I don’t really believe that it’s a skill that can be learned. Honed, yes. Learned? No. You are either a writer, or you’re not.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
I write non-fiction and I write from experience. Being a very experienced woman, there’s a lot of things floating in my head that I want to share. Nowadays, people rely on books and the internet for guidance when they encounter a dilemma. I’d like my books to be a light that can guide someone’s path. That inspires me. To know that my experience could be worth something to someone else’s life. Even in the smallest ways.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
First person. I’d like to have a conversation with my readers.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
I’m honest to a fault. I like naming the elephant in the room. I mean, not that I want to be controversial or disrespectful of other’s opinions, but if it’s a spade, I’ll call it a spade. My books were not written to molly-coddle anyone’s illusions. I talk about real-life. If readers want to indulge in fantasy and fiction, they can read Dark Fey: The Reviled. (Nice Plug, Thanks Eeva)
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What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
I’d like to open the eyes of many of my peers, and tell them that self-publishing does not excuse us from making sure that the readers get high quality books. We have a reputation for low quality, and that’s something we must break out of. Every self-published author who releases a crappy book adds a weight to the chain that drags all of us down. We need to be responsible and accountable.
As the owner of The Alliance of Self Published Authors, I know the challenges of my peers. I know why they hesitate to follow all the steps needed before they release their books. To make it as good as those traditionally published. It’s either they don’t know how, or it costs too much (ok some also think they’re God’s gift to readers and don’t need to do anything else). This prompted me to put up an author services website, The Book Khaleesi. I just want authors to have the option of affordable yet professional services. Hopefully, this would prompt many to make the effort and ensure that their books are reader-worthy.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
I’d like my site The Book Khaleesi to become so huge one day that I’d need to hire an assistant to manage my schedule. For me, this would mean that there will be less poorly edited and poorly formatted books out there. My work and my books are all about making it easier for people. I hope they have that effect. If even one person found life easier because of my writing, I’d have fulfilled my purpose.

Tell Us About Your Book(s):
I have 3 books published to date.
In Loving You: A Journey of Love and Self Discovery is a compilation of poems I wrote 20 years ago for a man I couldn’t have. I went through a heart-rending journey which made me realize a lot of things about love, pain, and myself. What’s funny is that, the man I wrote those poems for is now my husband. We’ve been married for 5 years. It’s my very own fairy tale.

The Now What? series discusses different topics. Very eclectic.
The first is called You’re Getting Married Soon… Now What? It encourages couples to ask the hard questions before they go deeper into the relationship. In my experience, relationships fail because we have unrealistic expectations, more like, pipe dreams and wishful thinking. Asking the hard questions is unromantic but it can give the relationship a better chance of working out.

My latest release is entitled, You want to be an Online Freelancer…. Now What? Here I share my own experience as a freelancers, and what I’ve learned along the way. Anyone who wants to earn online should get this book. I discuss the mindset of successful freelancers, based on my interactions with many of my colleagues in the field. When I left my day job to freelance full-time, I wasn’t sure that I’d succeed. But I did. And this book is my way of paying it forward.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
Right now, all my books will be non-fiction. There are many books in my head waiting to be released. I have an upcoming memoir, but I’m not sure yet how I’ll write it. I’d like to write fiction one day, but maybe I don’t have the imagination required. I have a more linear way of thinking, good for non-fiction, but not for fiction writing. Imagine how boring that would be. I’d be explaining every scene. Hahaha.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
In self publishing, writing is merely the beginning. Learn what you must to succeed in the industry.
And please, get an editor.

Now…What About YOU:
I’m a freelance writer, editor and a book designer. Happily married to an awesome man, owns a dog who chews on everything and 3 red-eared sliders (turtles)
I love the ocean and snorkeling is my favorite activity. I’m a voracious reader. A devourer of books. My whole life right now is about books. The Book Khaleesi ensures that when I’m not editing, I’m designing covers and communing with authors. In between my busy schedule, I read and write my books.
I used to be a suit before I started freelancing and publishing. I’ll be writing a book about that too.

Describe yourself in Five Words.
Dreamer. Fighter. Soft-hearted. Sarcastic. Curious.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Hmmm… I’d like to meet Cleopatra. Now, there’s a woman who knew how to survive in her world. She was an awesome politician, but she still knew how to love. I’d like to go back in time and find out what really happened, first-hand.

When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?
Reading or going on road trips with my husband. It takes so little to amuse me.

Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?
My perfect day is when I’m with my husband, doing nothing. Just being together, you know? Life has a way of keeping us busy that we forget to just BE with the people we love. We’re always thinking of other things, looking at our mobile phones, planning for the future and we forget that without the NOW, there would be no future. We take so many things for granted. We think we have enough time. Being with him, reminds me of WHY I’m doing what I’m doing. Why we need to strive so hard. It reaffirms my purpose and recharges me. I treasure those moments, more than anything else. Because it doesn’t happen as often as I want it to. Busy. Busy. Busy.

What makes Life Worth Living?
Are you who you want to be? Are you happy with who you’ve become? Is your life worth something to someone? For me, if I answer yes to these questions, then I have a reason to open my eyes each morning and jump out of bed. Life has its own seasons, and there will be times when the answer is no. If this happens, then we must change what we must, even if we have to get out of our comfort zones. To get the YES back.
I’ve done this so many times. I’ve never let life defeat me… yet. We write our own story, and we decide what the ending will be.

Thank You Ever so Much Eeva for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your story and insights with us. I am so glad you allowed me to spotlight you! All the Best Luck and Success, but most of all, Blessings of Joy, my Friend.

Care to read more of Eeva’s work? You can find her through the links below:

Book Links:
In Loving You: http://www.eevalancaster.com/p/in-loving-you-52-poems-and-ballads.html

The Now What? Series – http://www.eevalancaster.com/p/the-now-what-series_26.html

Website: http://www.eevalancaster.com & http://www.thebookkhaleesi.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eevalancaster.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eevalancaster

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/eevalancaster

Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Eeva-Lancaster/e/B00OQM4WJS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1444111051&sr=1-2-ent

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~Morgan~

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