Keven Newsome AND My Website

Ok, ya'll...listen up! :)

Keven Newsome's first novel just released this month. Yay! His main character, Winter, has begrudgingly taken time out of her schedule to rant and rave with me over at the new website. She's quite the feisty character, let me tell ya! So come on over to the new webiste and drop us a line--at the new website.

Did I mention the new website?

No?

You remember...I'm moving this blog to my website. So, if you love me, you better go join up over there b/c I'm going to quit posting here permanently at the end of the month. Sad, I know. But I promise I'm just as awesome over at my new website.

Who's Indie?

Hey all! I hope you're getting ready for the weekend.

If I could steal a bit of your time, head on over to the new website to find out who Indie is. I mean, a feisty lady, for sure...but that's all I'm saying. :)

My new website is really taking shape and I'm excited to share it with you all. Remember, at the end of this month, I will stop posting on here--so hurry over and save the new website so you don't miss any of the other great posts on the Character Tour this summer!

Win a free book!

I forgot to post this earlier today--my brain just isn't here these days.

The Character Tour is off to a great start! You can visit with Amber Miller, and her character, Raelene (great name, huh?). If you leave a comment, you're entered to win one of Amber's books.

So hurry on over to the new website and show Amber your support!

The Character Tour Begins!

Hey everyone,

The time has come. I am now going to be posting only at my new site. I'll post reminders on here for a couple of weeks, and then it'll be all crickets in here. So, if you haven't already made your way over to my new blog, go. Now. What are you waiting for?

Need more motivation?

The Character Tour I've been going on about starts today, and you can only read about the crazy antics of characters and writers THERE! <-- Click. Link. Now.

Google Friend Connect

We’re nearing the end of the month—but we still have points up for grabs! Next Tuesday is the last day of my BeachFest Birthday Bash, and the first day of the Character Blog Tour—from one exciting activity to the next!

If you don’t follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you can still earn up to 10 points by doing so and leaving a comment here.

GOOD NEWS! I have added the Google Friend Connect gadget to my website! You can earn 15 points by heading over to my new blog/website to follow me there (as Faith, Hope, and Suspense will be closing)—www.raleneburke.com The Character Blog Tour will take place completely over there.

Short post today as I have lots going on and trying to organize through it, but will be back on Thursday with my normal, witty posts. Until then, enjoy Hump Day and I’ll see you on the flipside! Remember, the weekend is almost here!

ASK ME Revealed! (Winners, Too!)

I believe that the best way for writers to reach their audience is to be open to vulnerability and the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and all that jazz. So, when I blog, I try to be honest--I don't put on a show if I'm having a bad day, I don't pretend that I agree with everyone, and I don't make excuses for who I am or what I believe.

It is under that statement of connection, that I opened my blog up for questions from followers on Tuesday. In addition to the fun of birthday week, it is a chance for people to get to know me a little bit better.

So, without further ado--here we go!

Aurie asks: What is your favorite state?

As most of you know, I was a military brat who married into the military, so we know that I've been all over. I think my favorite state is Virginia. I love the mountains in the summer and fall, and there is so much to see and do. Plus, my family is there!


Wendy asks: What's one, silly, non-writing talent you'd like to have. (i.e. Being able to stand on your head and drink and entire gallon of milk before you fall over.)

Oh, goodness--can I have that one? I'd be the life of the party! If I knew I wouldn't break anything, I'd love to be able to break dance. I've always found it completely fascinating. Or pop-n-lock. I know, I'm such a nerd!

Sarah asks: What curriculum or curriculums are you currently using? And how does writing fit around schooling?

Alana and Kyra are starting Kindergarten this year. I have most of their curriculum planned out--okay, not planned out, but chosen. Math-U-See Primer for Math, All About Spelling Level 1 for Phonics/Spelling, Etiquette Factory to learn proper manners, ABC Bible Verses for Bible memorization, and Lesson Pathways for Science/Social Studies when the kids are anxious for more! Throw in some arts and crafts, some life skills...and you'll have our homeschool in a nutshell. Oh, and I am big on the Charlotte Mason style of learning.

Writing happens mostly at night from seven on--something my husband and I agreed upon. Blogs/emails/social media happens mostly from 6-8 in the morning, homeschool from 9-11ish, Reviews/Blog writing/articles/etc from 1-3 (during rest/reading time), and then working on my novels happens after 7. I grab what I can get!

Annie asks: What do you like the most about yourself? And what quality do you seek above all else in others?

LOL! We all know how insecure I can be! So to be a little corny, the thing I like most about myself is that I am beloved by Christ. I may not see myself as anyone worth much of anything, but Jesus loves me, cherishes me--who could ask for more?

In others, I value honesty and compassion above everything else.


WINNERS!

Congrats to Wendy! She won C.J. Darlington's Thicker Than Blood from Monday's post!

Congrats to Annie! She won John B. Olson's Shade from Tuesday's post!

The score for the Grand Prize Giveaway is:

Sarah: 60

Annie: 22

Aurie: 30

Wendy: 16

Don't worry! There will be several chances for points next week! Don't forget, if you go follow my new blog/website: www.raleneburke.com, then you'll get 15 more points! Hurry, there's still time to catch up!

Ralene's BeachFest Trivia Question:

Where did I attend college (even though I never graduated)?

This Blog is Moving...

I've finally decided to take the advice of so many wise people in the publishing business. I've read it time and again, but I kept putting it off. Finally, though, after some reflection on the next steps I need to take, I made the tough decision.

I'm moving my blog.

I've had a blog here on Blogger for some time. I haven't ever been able to successfully connect it to my website, though, which has also kind of pushed me to ignoring my website, and in turn, I've been wasting money with it just "sitting" there. So...

I've completely revamped my website so that it runs through WordPress. I can host my blog and my website in the same place! So, now comes the arduous process of directing you all, my favorite readers, to my new place. I figured, what better incentive than to start when we have an ongoing contest!

Whoever goes and follows my new website/blog during the month of May will earn 15 points toward the grand prize. PLUS, I will be drawing from those people for a $20 gift card to Amazon. Sounds great, right?

I'll maintain this blog for awhile. I'll be "double" posting through the end of May. Then I'll move to posting reminders on here starting in June. At the end of June, I'll quit posting on here completely. This means, though, that the whole Character Blog Tour will be hosted on the new website--so hurry over so you can join in the fun!

But, Ralene, where do we go?

GOOD QUESTION!

www.raleneburke.com

Once there, up in the top, left corner is an RSS feed button. Click on there to follow my blog! Then leave a comment here, so I can credit you with the points and enter you into the drawing.

Guess what? TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY! YAY!

I'll be answering all the questions from Tuesday and sharing the other winners and updated scores!

God bless!

Don't forget...

www.raleneburke.com