Author Interview: 10 Questions with Eva Peck

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Our interview today is with Eva Peck. Thanks for being here today Eva and for agreeing to do this interview.

Introduction:

Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview, Russell, and greetings from Australia to all your readers. Although living in the land “down under, I see myself in a much broader way, having been born in Europe, finishing my education in Australia, and having worked many years for a church in California, USA, as well as later teaching English in Asia. Similarly, as a Christian, I like to transcend the denominational boundaries that so often divide us.

The picture below gives you a very small feel for Australia.

Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?

Answer: My genre is Christian devotional non-fiction. Besides God’s inspiration, I have combined my knowledge of the Bible with my love of nature.

Australian Bush

The church which I became a part of at the age of 17 gave me an excellent grounding in the Christian Scriptures. Later having the opportunity to fellowship with Christians of various denominations gave me a broader Christian perspective, for which I am grateful. I also have a Diploma in Biblical Studies and a Masters degree in Theology.

Since childhood, I have been fascinated and inspired by the natural world. Later I studied science subjects in high school and university, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Below is a glimpse of a beautiful Australian flowering bush with a colourful parrot (lorikeet).

Flowering Bush with Lorikeet

Question: Tell us a little about your “real” (Non-writing) life — family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help, from people or circumstances?

Answer: I live with my husband and we are blessed, after having taken an early retirement, to be able to devote ourselves to writing and creativity. We are both writers and editors, so we have either worked together on a book or edited each other’s writing. We have also been able to bounce ideas off of each other, which has been very beneficial and resulted in superior outcomes as far as our books and websites (described at http://www.pathway-publishing.org.

Eva and Alex Peck

Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?

Answer: I am very proud of my 90-year-old father — pictured below — who since his retirement in 1979 from being a classical musician (principal oboe player in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) has devoted himself to art. My husband and I have found an affordable way to publish his literally hundreds of art works in full-color books. The graphic design and compiling these books for publication has been my form of creative relaxation.

If you are an artist or photographer and would like help with creating a book of your pictures, check http://goo.gl/BgJIVX

Eva and her Father

Question: Have you done anything writing-related, but besides your books, that seemed to get a lot of positive response? Something that encouraged you?

Answer: I have created several websites, including one for my father’s artwork (see http://www.pathway-publishing.org/websites and http://www.henrydegen.com).

When my husband and I taught English in Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) after the “Velvet Revolution” of 1989, we were able to have published a conversation book for English learners entitled “Let’s Talk”, which sold over 65,000 copies. Its updated sequel, “Let’s Talk Anew”, now in its third year of existence can be seen at http://www.fraus.com/lets-talk-anew-modern-conversation-topics/.

Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)

Answer: In a way I have different purposes in different books. My “Divine Reflections” trilogy (Divine Reflections) aims to make readers more aware of how the natural world surrounding us reflects higher spiritual realities.

Divine Insights from Human Life reflects on personal life stories and what spiritual lessons can be harvested from them.

Pathway to Life Through the Holy Scriptures“, co-authored with my husband, presents the basic Bible message in a systematic, non-denominational way, with the intent of showing readers what the Scriptures really say and how various groups interpret it.

Question: Tell us one place you visited or person you met, that made a big impression on you, and why.

Answer: Having lived in six countries on four continents (Czech Republic, Sweden, Australia, United States, Korea and Saudi Arabia), besides visiting other countries and places, I had to think hard about this question. Finally I chose a small village in the south of the Czech Republic (southern Bohemia), where my husband and I spent seven years. What made an impression were the down-to-earth people, who unconditionally accepted us and extended beautiful hospitality. Having come from the West to a post-Communist country and from a city to a small village meant that we needed help on more than one occasion. These dear down-to-earth people were always willing to assist, often without wanting anything in return (even though they knew that by their standards, we were very well off). They taught us that one can be happy and content by living very simply and without owning a great deal.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Question: Share something that’s amazing, touching, or that makes you angry.

Answer: What is amazing, indeed awe-inspiring and mind-boggling, to me is the whole of creation. By this I mean all that exists around us from the tiniest microorganism to the largest blue whale in the animal realm and the tallest giant sequoia in the plant realm; from our nearest planetary neighbours in the solar system to the far-flung stars and galaxies, as well as spectacular nebulae and supernovas in outer space that manmade telescopes have been able to bring to our attention. The incredible diversity, beauty, order and harmony. And to think that what we have been able to perceive is only an infinitesimal fraction of all there is, that there may well be countless other not just galaxies full of stars and planets, but indeed entire universes which are presently way beyond our ability to comprehend and discover.

To me, all this points to a transcendent Mind or Being (God) behind everything who is even far far more incomprehensible than all that exists. Yet humanity in itself is amazing in so many ways, not the least in our ability to reach out, albeit in a limited way, to the transcendent Divine.

Question: How many books do you have out?

Answer: I have written or co-authored with my husband six Christian devotional non-fiction books. I have also created and published six books featuring my 90-year-old father’s art, photography, and poetry (in Czech). To see all the books with links to Amazon and other online outlets, please visit www.pathway-publishing.org.

Eva's current books

Question: What are your future projects?

Answer: There will be more artbooks from my dad’s prolific collection. The next one on the drawing board is “Nature in Art” comprising abstract as well as realistic images from nature.

As far as writing projects, I have two in mind. One is a spiritual memoir looking back to key people and events in my life and noting divine leading or intervention. The second one is of a practical kind, namely on financial management — how to live happily and abundantly on a pension amount. It is based on personal experience.

Question: Are their characters/stories/scenes/etc based on anything in real life?

Answer: Much of my writing is based on real life. The memoir as well as the finance guide mentioned above certainly will be.

Concluding comment:

Thank you Russell, for having me. Interested readers can learn more about me at

My author page at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Eva-Peck/e/B00DH68WPE

My websites accessible through http://www.pathway-publishing.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPublishing

Linkedin: http://goo.gl/oD1QW8

Several of my books are downloadable for free in PDF format at: http://www.free-ebooks.net/search/Eva+Peck

About Eva Peck:

Eva Peck

 

Eva Peck’s books usually contain spiritual insights. She writes from a Christian and international background. Through her work in Australia, USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, she has experienced a range of cultures and interacted with believers from a variety of faith traditions. As she feels that different faith perspectives can enrich one’s own spiritual path, she values a nondenominational approach in her spiritual writings.

Eva has also been a nature lover since childhood, studied biological sciences and is drawing on her scientific knowledge and interest in her books. She has an undergraduate degree in science and postgraduate diploma in education, as well as a Masters degree in theology. Readers may like to visit her website, www.pathway-publishing.org for an overview of her and her husband’s works, including the publishing of books featuring her 90-year-old father’s art, photography and poetry (in Czech). Those who understand Czech may enjoy Eva’a father’s verse collection entitled Volne Verse.

3 comments

  1. Wonderful interview, Eva! You have led such an interesting life and have so much to share. I loved how you honored your father! Thank you for the inspiration you have been to so many. Wishing you many blessings, Katherine

  2. Eva, this is my first visit to your website! I was happy to find this interview and learn more about your accomplishments, your past experiences and your life. You are a wonderful resource to us in the Divine Love community and to anyone who wishes to explore their own spiritual life with the kind of wise guidance provided by your articles and books. Thank you so much for your contributions! I am blessed to know you! love, Terry

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