BryonySeries: April 2019

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Community News: April 30, 2019

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff.

Memoirs and More

For the past year, I've been meeting nearly weekly with a Joliet woman just a few years shy of 100.

One of her granddaughters had approached me and asked if I would write this woman's memoirs. I almost turned it down. At the time, some tests had suggested some health concerns, I was learning a new system of page design, and I was trying to finish the last book of Before the Blood.

But as it turned out, I'd written two Herald=News stories about her in the past and, ironically, my oldest daughter is a former neighbor (I discovered that after the first story broke). And the granddaughter told me the woman herself had specifically asked for me.

So part of my first official vacation time of 2019 was spent organizing notes and working on her memoir. She's had some health issues this year, so I'm feeling an especial sense of urgency in getting it done.

Many parts of her life are heartbreaking, but through all the stories she's shared, one can see a line of strength, tenacity, and firm faith in God running through it. I'm so very glad I did not turn this project down!

As always, I've overestimated what I could accomplish. But the book is organized and divided into chapters and I'm about halfway through the first draft. I spoke with her on Sunday, and we wrote the introduction and "final thoughts." She, on her part, is gathering photos for the interior and the cover. We also discussed titles.

Considering I've also attended three nights of long church services at a church about forty-five minutes from home, spent most of a day at my son's celebrating Easter (Pascha) and two grandchildren's birthdays with my other children (and children-to-be) and grandchildren, and had to get two medical tests done for myself, I think I, overall, did pretty good.

Speaking of memoirs, I spent an hour or so on the phone with my uncle. We've gotten rather close over these past two years while addressing my father's health concerns. During this course, he also learned his wife had cancer of pancreas, and she passed early Thursday morning.

He called me on Friday afternoon and shared the mostly lovely stories about this unselfish woman, a teacher, who always saw the good in others, even the most difficult of her students. I learned how she lived and how she died.

Although I didn't help with the Easter cooking this year, I did make two trips to the grocery store with one of my sons, and we talked about some of the opportunities that's cropped up in his life.

And on a fiction note, the fourth installment of Before the Blood has my editor's notes incorporated. It's formatted, and I've checked the formatting, done a copy edit, and it's ready for upload just as soon as Rebekah is able to finish attaching all the cover pieces.

Once it KDP approves it, I'll order a proof, recheck the formatting, and do a final copy edit.

I've also uploaded all the photos and videos I took during the fun (including the elaborate egg hunt Rebekah coordinated) with family members on our "secret" Facebook page, watched some Bojack with Daniel, had some great conversations with Rebekah, and just, overall, engaged in more human interaction and less social media interaction.

I'm now back to the regular routine: refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to write features!

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Thursday, April 25, 2019

A Review That Makes Today Feel Like Christmas

I signed onto the computer this morning and saw this review of the third installment of Before The Blood: Bryony Marseilles.

No need to editorialize; this humbling review stands on its own.

"Before the Blood: Bryony Marseilles" (BTB) is prequel to Unland's Bryony Trilogy. In the trilogy, Bryony Marseilles is a background character, a lingering spirit caught between two worlds. After reading it, I found myself wanting to know more.

The tone of the Bryony Trilogy is dark and foreboding; there's a sense of muted horror. BTB is different. It's graceful prose shows the author is not merely, "Matriarch of the Macabre," but writes beautifully in other genres.

Of all the memorable characters in Unland's books, Bryony Marseilles is the most innocent and tragic, and this book makes her eventual fate all the more heartbreaking.

Set in the late 19th Century, Bryony is the daughter of a preacher, Galien Marseilles, and a spinster, Adele Belanger. Though well into middle age, both are dangerously naive. They fall in love and Adele conceives Bryony out of wedlock. Galien adores Adele, but his soul is tortured by his "sin of sexuality." Though he and Adele marry, Galien continues to wallow in guilt over his lust, failing to acknowledge the far more deadly sin of pride.

Adele is a frail, sickly woman, a delicate flower not created to withstand ugly reality. She and Galien spend evenings quoting exchanging opinions about philosophy, but possess few survival skills. As her pregnancy advances, Adele seemingly exists on air, refusing to eat enough to sustain even herself, much less her pregnancy.

The Marseilles travel to a Utopian settlement known as Munsonville. In fact, Munsonville very much reminds me of the hippies setting up communes in the 1960s. The concept of equality and universal love appear idyllic. However, the human hierarchy always prevails. Bryony is born into a world of intellectual misfits, society's rejects, enigmas and outlaws. All seemingly practice vegetarianism and spout lofty ideas.

A frail child, Bryony is less interested in philosophy than she is in Lake Munsonville. When Adele succumbs, Bryony is left an emotional orphan who withdraws into a world where her existence matters. She sees herself as the lake - all powerful, mysterious and benevolent. Unland's poetic prose begin Chapter 3, "She was the lake and the lake was she..." The authors musings rival those of the deepest philosophers. Her poetry paints such a poignant picture of Bryony that you want so very badly to rescue the child.

Galien makes a miserable attempt to raise Bryony, but can't resist self-flagellation and martyrdom. As he mourns his wife, Bryony quietly fades away, sensing he blames her for his agony.

The childless Bertha Parks steps in to rescue Bryony. Though she pays lip service to the "high ideals" of Munsonville, she and her husband, Orville, sneak red meat with no absolutely no pangs of conscience. Bertha learns motherhood from scratch. Unlike Adele, she is tough, practical and a quick learner. Good thing, too, because she has her work cut out for her. While Galien wallows in self-pity, Bertha takes care of business.

Those who have read the trilogy and other books in the series will get the first frisson of alarm when Dr. Gothart makes his appearance in Munsonville. It begins with an unusually accomplished "magician" who entertains the town folk on Halloween. Next, Bryony is frightened by an odd white cat in the local cemetery. Finally, the good doctor makes his appearance. He cures Bryony in a logical yet unsettling way.

Whether Dr. Gothart is a hero or villain is left for the reader to decide. Dr. Gothart, in numerous disguises, makes an appearance throughout the series. Undoubtedly wise, he's an enigma, one capable of creeping the hell out of the reader.

Another supporting character who shines is Maybelle Fisher. The Fishers run a farm. Though they're cordial to the odd denizens of Munsonville, you get the impression they think it's so much poppycock. Maybelle is the quintessential Mother Hen - at least superficially. She plump and cluckety. She's skilled in the womanly arts and she's a breeder. But, read closely and you'll see Maybelle for what she is - a benevolent goddess who brings the bright gift of life to the emotionally maimed. Her touch heals.

Owen Munson - the man who bought and named the land - is also worth a mention. He's mysterious. He reminds me of Merlin the Magician, truly wise, magical, uncomplaining, simple and yet complex. Bryony certainly adores him, and so do I.

I can't say enough about Denise Baran-Unland's writing. I've been reading her books for years now and I'm never disappointed. The depth and hidden meaning keep me coming back. Rarely do I read a book twice. Hers, I've read at least twice, and I always find something I missed.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Community News: April 24, 2019

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Stephen Saporta

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Community News: April 23, 2019

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Early Cover Drafts

"Don't judge a book by its cover" the saying goes, but today's book covers are so part of the reading experience, we rarely give thought as to how the cover came to be.

But the design of a book cover evolves in much the same way the

Ever wonder what the early versions of the BryonySeries covers looked like?

Here's a few:

(Note from Sue Midlock when we were talking cover art concepts for Before the Blood:

I was thinking, what do you think that each book, the covers are different color? One emerald green, dark blue, dark brown, not sure on the 4th color. What do you think?)

I have to admit, I did like all the different color versions, so it was tempting. But since BTB is really one large book published in five installments, we decided to go with red for all five.

Now if BTB was five separate and distinct books in a series, color-coding them by the book's theme would have made sense.

Next time, perhaps?

For more photos, check out The process of creating a book cover at facebook.com/pg/BryonySeries/photos.

Monday, April 22, 2019

Community News: April 20 and April 22, 2019

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony

Website Experiments

Ever since Timothy Baran took a marketing class last year, he's combined his love for visual art with some of the information he's learned.

He's still playing around with the BryonySeries website and, rather spontaneously, spent quite a few hours with it over the last couple of days.

Now he hasn't published everything yet, but the work so far looks great, I think.

Of course, Jenny Rosenboom's rendition of Main Street for the landing page is absolutely brilliant in its detail and in capturing our vision, and we are extremely thankful to her for creating it.

Have a look: bryonyseries.com.

Illustration by Jennifer Rosenboom for the BryonySeries

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Community News: April 18 and April 19, 2019

Lots to share today. Please scroll by interest.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Joliet students present a live version of Lenten meditation

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/18/a6b027dbf13f489495b412bd20a28e50/index.xml

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT

Short film festival coming to Lockport

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/18/short-film-festival-coming-to-lockport/aqwz3v1/

Joliet named Tree City USA for 28th consecutive year

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/18/joliet-named-tree-city-usa-for-28th-consecutive-year/agafnpw/

Plainfield Library District unveils poetry anthology

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/18/plainfield-library-district-unveils-poetry-anthology/aoc423d/

Joliet Junior College to host 'Bridges of Song' vocal festival on April 27
Choral Masterworks Concert will be held April 28

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/19/3bba95e65a85498b999dbbd85838fbaf/index.xml

Lewis University in Romeoville to host plane pull on April 27

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/17/lewis-university-in-romeoville-to-host-plane-pull-on-april-27/af4y32/

FOOD

Around Town: Thrive

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/around-town-thrive/aqxawz9/

Frankfort school hosted drive for food pantry

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/17/frankfort-school-hosted-drive-for-food-pantry/a9cjcjd/

RECIPES

This cheesy, golden, puffed casserole is all about the eggs

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/this-cheesy-golden-puffed-casserole-is-all-about-the-eggs/a5m2im0/

We made a deeply flavorful chicken tagine-in about an hour

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/we-made-a-deeply-flavorful-chicken-tagine-in-about-an-hour/an6w138/

Herb-packed chimichurri sauce complements grilled steaks

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/herb-packed-chimichurri-sauce-complements-grilled-steaks/a6vk3zl/

To make these tacos, which way will you cook the bacon?

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/to-make-these-tacos-which-way-will-you-cook-the-bacon/addcfr/

This rice dish gets delish a with peas, feta and mint

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/this-rice-dish-gets-delish-a-with-peas-feta-and-mint/ak232e0/

VIDEOS:

VIDEO: "Katia" by Alison Standish

Plainfield launched its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District. @PPLD1

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f4eaccf4-ac42-470b-bd9b-7253caafd35b.html

VIDEO "The Oppressed" by Beck Peterson

Plainfield unveiled its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District. @PPLD1

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/6211f0a0-36b4-4191-890a-21f820f59c62.html

VIDEO: "The Last Swim" by Donna Kohl

Plainfield unveiled its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/bc86032c-9eef-44ec-91be-40c52ee628e2.html

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Friday, April 19, 2019

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 14 through April 19

Because today is a reflective day for Christians commemorating Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox Christians like myself will observe the day next week), and because I have so much content to share this week (stories and videos), I'll skip the editorializing and get right to it.

May today hold great blessings for all of you.

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down. Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Bridging the great cultural divide
Troy students communicate with students in Taiwan through program

Anne Kasa said, "It's another way to bring cultural awareness and compassion for others,"

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/12/72b78ad6e9684b13b7473fd99a7130d5/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet man 'had a vision for things'
And 'he wanted to see his visions grow'

Rev. David Nygard said: "Most people are shy about sharing their faith. But he just loved being out with people, interacting and meeting people. It was never a confrontation; it was never in your face. It was always, 'Would you like to have one of these?' and then he'd engage people in conversation and hear their stories."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/13/78a25f363e364f3dafaa31eb74472702/index.xml

Sharing God's deep love and mercy
Braidwood man writes book of meditations for Divine Mercy chaplet

James Mark said, ""God's greatest attributes are His mercy and forgiveness. We should tap into that, always."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/15/c846b697b4dc4b7badb76c6c1230d2ce/index.xml

Use food to dye Easter eggs this year
Here's how to make 8 colors with ingredients from the grocery store

We even made a nice shade of green, which is almost impossible to make with food dye.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/17/6891f7437acb48f39fb35f3082f9810c/index.xml?page=1

Joliet area residents have opinions about Easter candy

Do you like Peeps? Chocolate bunnies? See what others think about the sweet treats associated with the holiday.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/joliet-area-residents-have-opinions-about-easter-candy/abnkr7g/

Love of a cappella spans generations
Singing barbershop is a family tradition for Midwest Crossroads Chorus music director

"It does require a certain amount of ability," Tori Hicks, music director, said. "Not everyone can sing a cappella, not that I'd discourage anyone form trying it. You have to be able to sing your part in tune independently of the others. You can't have the support of the instruments. It's just different. It takes some experience to get really good at it."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/16/fdf51d372b294021954895b2cd099a7f/index.xml?page=1

LocallLit author spotlight: Donald Bingle of St. Charles

Bingle is the author of six books and more than fifty shorter works in the thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, steampunk, romance, comedy, and memoir genres.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/07/locallit-author-spotlight-donald-bingle-of-st-charles/apzzoa2/

VIDEOS:

VIDEO: "Katia" by Alison Standish

Plainfield launched its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District. @PPLD1

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f4eaccf4-ac42-470b-bd9b-7253caafd35b.html

VIDEO "The Oppressed" by Beck Peterson

Plainfield unveiled its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District. @PPLD1

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/6211f0a0-36b4-4191-890a-21f820f59c62.html

VIDEO: "The Last Swim" by Donna Kohl

Plainfield unveiled its very first poetry anthology eBook April 17, 2019 at the Plainfield Public Library District.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/bc86032c-9eef-44ec-91be-40c52ee628e2.html

VIDEO: A tale for cat lovers

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/c57ff686-25cf-457c-9d68-e8f68d365495.html

VIDEO: Elements of sketches

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/ddd8963a-3fb2-4583-b108-d56e9e9c11c2.html

VIDEO: A dragon for a local fantasy book

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f1ed4d5c-c088-486e-b0ad-2eb926ccf2bc.html

VIDEO: Digital Dragon

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/d44145df-115d-4e1b-a045-ca98ee11d938.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt one

James Mark of Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep Meditation."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/7c9786b7-2b6f-4f56-a92e-7cae0a2b549c.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt two

James Mark of Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep
Meditation."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f54a2528-1c45-4bf4-9285-027c4cc54da1.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt three

James Mark of #Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep Meditation."

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Thursday, April 18, 2019

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Layers

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Layers

I love subplots, subtext, and making the most of every word I use.

Here's a tip for giving your chapter/novel depth.

Once you've written that first draft, and maybe even after you've edited it, critically examine it and ask yourself this: What can I add or change to further the plot or add another aspect of characterization?

The most ordinary instances can become purposeful and lead to a more developed story.

For instance, your character is a guest at dinner. Add one item to the menu that reminds him of a good or bad event in his life - and weave that event into your story.

Your character is walking through a building for the first time. Maybe he sees something that profoundly affects him and incites choices he makes later on.

Your character is having a conversation with a friend, something he often does. The first three such conversations can be a normal exchange of information. Now you've got the reader at ho-hum, change it up, so your reader sits up straight and thinks, "Whoa!What's this?"

Or maybe the friend implies something but never says it - but it's not lost on the character and the friendship is altered, for good or for bad. Make that part of your plot.

And speaking of plots, try having more than one plot running at a time and make them all work for the good of the story.

People talk about "page turners" as if they're the barometer of a great story. Sure, I occasionally enjoy a story I can whip through fairly quickly.

But think in terms of "page stayers," words so compelling they force your reader to soak up each one. Sure, it's harder for the reader. Some might argue readers are getting lazier.

And yet, think about the books that have stayed with you over time. The books that resonated something inside you, books you cannot forget. Write that kind of book.

Just a thought.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Community News: April 17, 2019

Check out upcoming events and the awesome things people are doing.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Eight Plainfield High School grads join D. 202 Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/11/eight-plainfield-high-school-grads-join-d-202-foundation-alumni-hall-of-fame/ah6phsb/

Help veterans with spring cleaning

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/help-veterans-with-spring-cleaning/asdej7e/

Annual community service event is set for May 4 and May 5 in Plainfield

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/annual-community-service-event-is-set-for-may-4-and-may-5/a9duaph/

Local students earn dean’s lists for fall 2018

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/09/local-students-earn-deans-lists-for-fall-2018/a7w3eut/

Volunteers of the New Lenox Snow Angel program were recognized

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/17/volunteers-of-the-new-lenox-snow-angel-program-were-recognized/ahu0uv5/

VIDEOS

VIDEO: A tale for cat lovers

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/c57ff686-25cf-457c-9d68-e8f68d365495.html

VIDEO: Elements of sketches

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/ddd8963a-3fb2-4583-b108-d56e9e9c11c2.html

VIDEO: A dragon for a local fantasy book

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f1ed4d5c-c088-486e-b0ad-2eb926ccf2bc.html

VIDEO: Digital Dragon

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/d44145df-115d-4e1b-a045-ca98ee11d938.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt one

James Mark of Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep Meditation."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/7c9786b7-2b6f-4f56-a92e-7cae0a2b549c.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt two

James Mark of Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep
Meditation."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f54a2528-1c45-4bf4-9285-027c4cc54da1.html

VIDEO: Divine Mercy excerpt three

James Mark of #Braidwood reads a selection from his book "The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A Deep Meditation."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/9a6e8b40-e7cc-4df0-a07a-4197263814e7.html

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Jim Pressler

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Community News: April 16, 2019

Check out upcoming events and the awesome things people are doing.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Joliet Franciscans to host annual tea

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/joliet-franciscans-to-host-annual-tea/agfkrvf/

Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission in New Lenox offers health care scholarships

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/13/silver-cross-healthy-community-commission-in-new-lenox-offers-health-care-scholarships/avzs2fy/

Silver Cross offers health screenings in April

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/silver-cross-offers-health-screenings-in-april/asdjt02/

Midwestern Tooth Fairy payouts drop a full $1

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/05/midwestern-tooth-fairy-payouts-drop-a-full-1/aivrwqn/

Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/14/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-pre-cut-melon/ah6iiwb/

JJC Foundation in Joliet funds equipment for empathy training

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/15/jjc-foundation-funds-equipment-for-empathy-training/a4cm8t/

Approved drug may help cystic fibrosis patients

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/24/approved-drug-may-help-cystic-fibrosis-patients/a4s3hkl/

High medical care costs revealed for this group
Affects children with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/05/high-medical-care-costs-revealed-for-this-group/a6rv3z4/

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

Fun with Archetypes

My one BryonySeries super fan has often commented on my use (although unintentional on my part) of archetypes throughout the books.

So over the weekend, we had a bit of online fun and listed the characters we felt best fit certain categories. For me, it was fun to get out of the writing box and approach my own work as a reader and through a different perspective.

Here are our results.

Do you agree or disagree with our choices? What would you decide?

HER:

Ruler: Dr. Gothart

Creator/Artist: Owen Munson

Sage: Old Man Fisher

Innocent: Galien and Adele (With the flip side of that coin being ignorance). Susan, too. John-Peter

Explorer: Owen Munson

Rebel: Bryony

Hero: John-Peter

Wizard: Owen Munson

Jester: Kellen

Everyman: "There are many supporting characters in each of the books that lend that feeling of normalcy to the point where I've been shocked when you've kicked the chair out from under me. Seriously, Ed Calkins could assume that role when he wanted to, though of course, it was a disguise."

Lover: Henry

Caregiver: Maybelle, Melissa (in the trilogy)

She also said, "In the Tarot, John would be The Fool. I've always felt strongly about that one."

ME:

Ruler: Abbott Simons, Lord Girard

Creator/Artist: Henry Matthews

Sage: Everett Spencer, Grandpa Clyde

Innocent: Bryony Marseilles/Simons, Flossie McGee, Lucetta Spencer/Simons

Explorer: Owen Munson

Rebel: John Simons

Hero: John-Peter Simotes

Wizard: Dr. Rothgard etc., Granny Spencer

Jester: Cornell Dyer, Ed Calkins

Everyman: Steve Barnes

Lover: Henry Matthews, Boswell Pike

Caregiver: Darlene Marchellis/Barnes, Maybelle Fisher

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Monday, April 15, 2019

Community News: April 15, 2019

Check out upcoming events and adorable pets for adoption.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Pets of the Week: April 14

Click on the caption to read the description of each pet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/09/506e86b36ae34e00a910fe8ef324180e/index.xml

Optics Fair 2019 is set for April 11 in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/optics-fair-2019-is-set-for-april-11-in-joliet/a63g5hf/

Local art and entertainment: April 15 through April 22

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/local-art-and-entertainment-april-15-through-april-22/a89ehq6/

Local faith events: April 15 through April 22

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/local-faith-events-april-15-through-april-22/ax3n9dn/

Local food events: April 15 through April 22

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/local-food-events-april-15-through-april-22/ae6qrgh/

Local health events: April 16 through April 23

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/local-health-events-april-16-through-april-23/a5ll4bp/

Gotta Do It: April 15 through April 22

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/gotta-do-it-april-15-through-april-22/adgicgp/

Local pet events: April 15 through April 22

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/08/local-pet-events-april-15-through-april-22/a9b44ax/

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Flawed, Yet Beautiful

In the third and fifth installments of Before The Blood, I have a character who is mentioned only once by name in Bryony as part of the parade of guests at the garden party.

There was the short and stocky Mayor James Fisher and his equally short and stocky wife Maybelle, and their two daughters, whose names Melissa did not catch, and who resembled a female version of Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

In Before the Blood, all these characters come alive and become more than a quick look. Maybelle's first two descriptions are these:

"Listen to you. I'm as fat as a little pig and still you tempt me with food. Why, Maybelle's ankles look like sticks compared to mine. I don't belong in a cabin. I belong in a pasture, chomping clover and mooing."

All summer Maybelle, as plump and sweet as an overripe peach now that she was expecting, stocked the Marseilles cabin with bounties from Fisher Farm.

The reader eventually meets Maybelle "in person." Maybelle has a tendency to babble (in fact, others often interrupt her just to get to the point), and she grows larger with each child (Seven are mentioned, but it's unknown if Maybelle ever had a miscarriage or stillbirth).

And while it's easy to make assumptions or dismiss her (she's a secondary character and her role is minor), one reader names her as a favorite and sent me this over the weekend:

Maybelle is Mother Earth - the true strong, feminine ideal. Her willingness to fix the broken children at any expense to herself. You sense she's stronger than the men. Yet, she never loses her feminine mystique.

She absolutely shines. In the tarot she'd be the empress.

I responded: I love this. Maybelle isn't fashionably thin and she talks too much. And yet you, the reader, can appreciate her strong femininity. I think Maybelle would be surprised, but humbled and thankful, someone sees her this way.

Do you know a "Maybelle?"

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Community News: April 13, 2019

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/11/bobcat-harvest-totals-available/a7vlbpk/

Apply now for firearm/muzzleloader deer permits

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/11/apply-now-for-firearmmuzzleloader-deer-permits/aeq137t/

Take precautions on emerging multidrug-resistant fungus

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/10/take-precautions-on-emerging-multidrug-resistant-fungal-infections/audtmrg/

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."