Friday, August 28, 2009
High School Student's Blog
Please take a moment to visit this young lady's YA book blog. Ari is supporting me and I'd like to do what I can to support her: http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pleasantly Surprised
Choices was featured on Thea's BC Book Review Talk Show on Sunday, August 23, on Live 365! I didn't even know until I checked my email today and, let me tell you, it was a nice surprise. Thanks so very much, Thea. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
I've Been Encouraged!
Every now and then I google Choices by Katrina L. Burchett to see what shows up. This evening I was pleasantly surprised when I found my debut novel listed as a 2009 Summer Read in the August/September issue of a digital magazine. Thanks so much for the support Goddess Magazine!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Character, Randy
I had a dream that someone told a guy I used to have feelings for waaaaay back in the day that the character, Randy, in Choices was him. Now, I believe that some dreams are just dreams - a subconscious, images in the mind thing. But I also believe that some of my dreams come from God. I've had dreams where I thought God was trying to tell me something, and then something happened and I thought, "That's what that meant!" I really need to work on how to interpret the visions God gives me in my sleep... Anyway, I have no clue what's up with the dream I mentioned, but just in case someone out there does believe I was thinking of a particular guy when I created Randy, please get that thought out of your mind because it is not true. Just like it states on the copyright page of Choices, any resemblence to actual persons is entirely coincidental.
Randy... well, he's an insensitive, selfish, conceited guy who doesn't know how to treat a female. Yes, I've dealt with guys like that, but not one of them crossed my mind when I wrote my debut novel. There are so many guys like Randy out there that it wasn't difficult at all to make the character believable. Here's the thing, though. I know Randy's story and I kinda feel bad for him and his brother, Roscoe. I don't excuse their actions in Choices - they had me angry as I wrote the scenes - but I understand why they act the way they do. Readers will learn more about these guys in the next book. But, in the meantime, if you haven't read Choices yet, it'd be great if you'd give serious thought to purchasing a copy. I'd really appreciate your support!
Randy... well, he's an insensitive, selfish, conceited guy who doesn't know how to treat a female. Yes, I've dealt with guys like that, but not one of them crossed my mind when I wrote my debut novel. There are so many guys like Randy out there that it wasn't difficult at all to make the character believable. Here's the thing, though. I know Randy's story and I kinda feel bad for him and his brother, Roscoe. I don't excuse their actions in Choices - they had me angry as I wrote the scenes - but I understand why they act the way they do. Readers will learn more about these guys in the next book. But, in the meantime, if you haven't read Choices yet, it'd be great if you'd give serious thought to purchasing a copy. I'd really appreciate your support!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Goodbye Michael
On the day Michael Jackson died the text messages on my phone just kept coming. I cried a bit; yes, I did. This man was so gifted, so unique, so special. And the way he was attacked by so many people when he was alive, that was so sad to me. And now I turn on the television and I see the media talking about his will and his debt and his skin color; whatever they can think of to keep the controversy going. The man is gone, people. He is dead. His family will never see him on this earth again. The world will never see him on stage again, moving in his unique way and singing the songs he wrote. Although there are a lot of good music artists out there, I don't believe anyone will ever be able to take the place of the King of Pop. I am so sorry he's gone and my prayers go out to his family.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
My Novel Is Also For Parents, Not Just Teens
Just the other day I read Kendra by Coe Booth. This book taught me something I didn't know about the choices some young people are making when it comes to sex. As I read this painfully honest story, I was reminded of how my novel doesn't even touch on half of what teenagers are doing today. (Feel free to read the review I posted on Amazon.com) But mostly I thought about how important it is to make sure novels like mine - those that tackle the issue of teen sex - are available not just for teens to read but for their parents, because they really should be aware of the level of sexual activity among young people today.
So okay, I've said this before, but I feel the need to say it again. I wrote the first draft of Choices quite a while back. I was regretting choices I had made, so I wanted to write a story that would not only entertain young people but, hopefully, would motivate them to make better choices when it comes to sex. Like Angel, there are teenage girls allowing themselves to be used because they're so desperate for affection. Like LaKeeta, there are girls getting pregnant on purpose to have someone to love. Like Shauntice, there are girls who are sure they will not have sex until the wedding day, but stuff happens and... well, sometimes things are easier said than done. Like Hope, there are girls who are hurting and then there's a momentary lapse of reason and things get all messed up. If you're a teenage girl who can identify with one of these character's, then Choices was written especially for you.
Now Bridgette, she kinda gets on everybody's nerves with her judgmental self and I'd never want any girl to treat her friends the way Bridgette treats hers. But she does feel very strongly about abstaining from sex. She loves herself, knows what she wants and she is not going to let anyone compromise what she believes. So, honestly, if you don't identify with Bridgette's beliefs when you open the book, it is my deepest wish that you will at least be thinking more about abstaining from premarital sex by the time you finish the story. What can I say? I'm a child of God and He wants me to use my talents for His glory. If I can bring positive change to the lives of the Angels, LaKeetas, Hopes, and even the Shauntices of this world, then my writing has not been in vain.
To everyone who has purchased a copy of my young adult novel, thanks so very much for your support. I haven't heard many thoughts about the story, though, and I'd really like to. So whether you're a teen or a parent, whether it's positive feedback or constructive criticism, if you've read Choices please feel free to comment.
So okay, I've said this before, but I feel the need to say it again. I wrote the first draft of Choices quite a while back. I was regretting choices I had made, so I wanted to write a story that would not only entertain young people but, hopefully, would motivate them to make better choices when it comes to sex. Like Angel, there are teenage girls allowing themselves to be used because they're so desperate for affection. Like LaKeeta, there are girls getting pregnant on purpose to have someone to love. Like Shauntice, there are girls who are sure they will not have sex until the wedding day, but stuff happens and... well, sometimes things are easier said than done. Like Hope, there are girls who are hurting and then there's a momentary lapse of reason and things get all messed up. If you're a teenage girl who can identify with one of these character's, then Choices was written especially for you.
Now Bridgette, she kinda gets on everybody's nerves with her judgmental self and I'd never want any girl to treat her friends the way Bridgette treats hers. But she does feel very strongly about abstaining from sex. She loves herself, knows what she wants and she is not going to let anyone compromise what she believes. So, honestly, if you don't identify with Bridgette's beliefs when you open the book, it is my deepest wish that you will at least be thinking more about abstaining from premarital sex by the time you finish the story. What can I say? I'm a child of God and He wants me to use my talents for His glory. If I can bring positive change to the lives of the Angels, LaKeetas, Hopes, and even the Shauntices of this world, then my writing has not been in vain.
To everyone who has purchased a copy of my young adult novel, thanks so very much for your support. I haven't heard many thoughts about the story, though, and I'd really like to. So whether you're a teen or a parent, whether it's positive feedback or constructive criticism, if you've read Choices please feel free to comment.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Are You A Child of God?
It's been quite a while since I stepped into the vestibule of my home church, Shiloh Baptist in York, PA, took the stairs to the balcony and sat where I knew I'd be able to see the Pastor clearly. But in all of the years I've been away there is one memory that keeps coming back to me. Not every single Sunday but on occasion there was a song the choir sang as they made their way into the sanctuary. I don't remember all of the lyrics. In fact, the only words I do remember are the ones that are the most important - "To be God's children you must be born again!"
So many times I have heard people say that we're all God's children, referring to each and every human being, and every time I hear it I am so saddened that these people really believe they're speaking the truth. What's more disappointing is that there are Christians who seem to believe we are all God's children and not too long ago I was reading "Christian fiction" and a Christian character said those very words. This statement is not the truth.
Holy Bible (New Living Translation)
John 1:6-13 God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. But although the world was made through Him, the world didn't recognize Him when He came. Even in His own land and among His own people, He was not accepted. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan- this rebirth comes from God.
John 11:52 It was a prediction that Jesus' death would be not for Israel only, but for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world.
1 John 3:1 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are His children.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Romans 3:22 We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Romans 8:16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children.
Every human being was created by God (Colossians 1:16) and He loves all of us (John 3:16) but the only way to be a child of God, to be adopted into His eternal family (Romans 8:15), to have the Spirit of God (also known as the third person of the Trinity or the Holy Spirit) live in you - God does not live in everybody, so please don't believe that lie - is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. This is what's called being saved or being reborn or born again; it's a spiritual rebirth. So, are you a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, a true believer? Are you a child of God? If so, praise the Lord! If not, please take to heart all that you have read and consider surrendering your life to Jesus, who died on the cross for your sins and mine.
So many times I have heard people say that we're all God's children, referring to each and every human being, and every time I hear it I am so saddened that these people really believe they're speaking the truth. What's more disappointing is that there are Christians who seem to believe we are all God's children and not too long ago I was reading "Christian fiction" and a Christian character said those very words. This statement is not the truth.
Holy Bible (New Living Translation)
John 1:6-13 God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. But although the world was made through Him, the world didn't recognize Him when He came. Even in His own land and among His own people, He was not accepted. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan- this rebirth comes from God.
John 11:52 It was a prediction that Jesus' death would be not for Israel only, but for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world.
1 John 3:1 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are His children.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Romans 3:22 We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Romans 8:16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children.
Every human being was created by God (Colossians 1:16) and He loves all of us (John 3:16) but the only way to be a child of God, to be adopted into His eternal family (Romans 8:15), to have the Spirit of God (also known as the third person of the Trinity or the Holy Spirit) live in you - God does not live in everybody, so please don't believe that lie - is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. This is what's called being saved or being reborn or born again; it's a spiritual rebirth. So, are you a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, a true believer? Are you a child of God? If so, praise the Lord! If not, please take to heart all that you have read and consider surrendering your life to Jesus, who died on the cross for your sins and mine.
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