Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing the fantastic Ralene Burke. Her fantasy story Bellanok recently released on Kindle and in paperback.

Check out the details after the interview to learn more about the story and see how you can get your hands on a copy.

And now, let the fun commence!

Tell us about your writing journey. How did you get started and what made you interested in writing?

I am definitely one of those who has been writing since I was a kid. My mom still has some of my “early” stories from elementary school. I got bit by the writing bug again in my early 20s when I was working at a bank and got inspired by a story one of my fellow tellers told me. But it wasn’t until I was married and staying at home with a kid that I got into writing as more than a hobby.

That’s neat. Do you have any writer quirks?

Writer quirks? Um . . . not that I can think of. I do my best writing with either gummy bears or dark chocolate M&Ms to nibble on?

Totally counts, and sounds delicious to boot. Getting into the story, Bellanok is clearly fantasy. Have you always written fantasy, or have you experimented in other genres?

Oh, I’ve experimented with other genres. I haven’t always been a geek, or as big of a geek, as I am now. My first novel was a YA contemporary, second was an adult contemporary suspense, third was a supernatural suspense, fourth was a fantasy. Do you see the progression?

I finally found my place in speculative fiction. While the 3-book contract I recently signed is for a fantasy trilogy, my agent and I are also shopping a supernatural suspense trilogy.

Yes, it’s cool to see the progression we make as authors. You’re currently in the fantasy camp. What inspired you to write Bellanok?

A prayer. Honestly, I’d been praying about my next undertaking after I finished Aletheia (first book in fantasy trilogy).

I was trying to figure out if I should be writing the second book or moving on to something else. I had read somewhere several years ago that some experts suggested writers shouldn’t write a whole series until it had been contracted. Writers should just move on to the idea until they sold the series. I wasn’t sure if that advice was a good idea or not, so I’d been praying. If God wanted me to move on, I would; or if He wanted me to stay the course, I’d do that as well.

During one of those prayers is when the idea for Bellanok popped in my head. I pushed it aside, but my mind kept coming back to it time and again. So after I finished Aletheia, I began the new story.

It’s fun when those ideas grab hold of you and won’t let go. Who’s your favorite character in Bellanok?

Well, Roman was the most fun to write. However, I think Brian is my favorite character. In many ways, his journey echoes my own. Many of the doubts and frustrations he feels, I still struggle with.

I’ve felt that identification with characters, too. Which ties into the next question. What’s the main theme of the story and why did you feel it was important to write about that?

The main theme of the story is that God’s calling on our lives isn’t always what we think it will be. Brian is ready to be a pastor. He wants a good church with a loyal congregation. Basically, as easy as it gets for a pastor. But God has other plans. Yes, the skills that Brian has learned through school and being a pastor at an inner-city church are needed. But God’s plans were so much bigger than Brian had imagined.

There are many other themes that run through the book: the danger of pride, the necessity of salvation, faith even when you can’t see or understand.

Sounds like a story rich for thought. Let’s change up the pace with a handful of fun, rapid-fire questions. Feel free to elaborate on your choices.

TEA OR COFFEE?

Tea. I’m allergic to coffee.

READ A BOOK OR WATCH A MOVIE?

Depends on my mood and how much I’ve been writing.

SCI-FI OR FANTASY?

Fantasy.

STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

Star Wars.

NARNIA OR LORD OF THE RINGS?

Oh, I can’t choose. Hmm . . . if it’s the books, Narnia; if it’s the movies, LotR.

>>>>>>>>>>

Huge thanks to Ralene for that excellent interview. Here’s a bit more about Bellanok.

Bellanok Blurb

A haven for myths and legends…until evil discovers a way in.

With evil darkening the mountains to the north, the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island realm of Bellanok to the modern world to find the man the Creator appointed to save their kingdom. A man she has been dreaming of her whole life.

Brian is a down-on-his-luck pastor on the verge of giving up on God. He’s tired and frustrated—a failure. No sooner does he make a decision that jeopardizes his career than an unusual blonde woman shows up and tries to convince him he is some kind of savior.

Fauna must open Brian’s eyes to a different reality, and Brian needs to embrace the haven’s secrets. If neither of them succeeds, Bellanok will succumb to evil and the world will lose all trace of innocence.

BUY BELLANOK ON AMAZON

Author Bio

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a freelance editor’s sword, or a social media wand, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to make it SHINE! She has worked for a variety of groups, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and as an editor for a number of freelance clients. Her first novel, Bellanok, is available on Amazon!

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time…

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or at her website.