The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Friday, January 29, 2021
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 23 through Jan. 29
Good morning! What a busy week!
Nineteen stories to share with you this week plus one photo gallery by Herald-News photographer Geoff Stellfox, who braved the blustery weather on Wednesday to capture a vigil that law enforcement representatives held outside a hospital room for one of their own - a father of five who is battling severe COVID-19.
In addition, Rebekah is attending a two-day marketing conference for authors in my place, which is being hosted by someone from whom we've been following for a couple of years, taking his classes, etc.
She's jotted down some good ideas and received reinforcement that we've absorbed some of the material, so that's been useful.
This morning, I also attended a virtual discussion on revision at 4 a.m. (yes, you heard that right) as part of the 5 a.m. writers group on Twitter (the group is on the east coast). I'm actually surprised I made it.
Last night I wound up with a migraine aura - haven't had one of those in a few years. But the resulting headache is nearly gone, and I'm, surprisingly, not that tired (migraines usually leave me sleepy).
Rebekah is planning to upload the final draft of Ed Calkins' "Ruthless" today, too. So unless KDP has any issues with it, Ed should be able to order copies this weekend.
Speaking of Ed and his book, don't forget to register for his book release party.
“Ruthless,” by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is a work of absolute literary nonsense about the last seven seconds in the life of an Irishman and his afterlife as an Irish vampire, most of which never happened.
Calkins Day 2021 will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Calkins Day (Feb. 13, 2021) on Zoom.
Real food and drink available if you bring your own ingredients.
Calkins and his sidekick “The Goddess” will chat about author collaborations, how to legally fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense. Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.
He will also answer questions but doesn’t promise you’ll understand the answers. Calkins will also randomly give away three copies of “Ruthless.”
Local author and WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez will emcee.
Chef Tim will give three demonstrations. Menu and ingredient list provided after registration.
Calkins Day is free. To register, visit bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.
Finally, if you'd like more kindness in your life, here are some reflections where you might find it: Nine Months of Kindness.
Have a great Friday!
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.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.
FEATURES
Up to snow good? We want to see it: Herald-News seeking submissions of your snow photos
Pets of the Week: Jan. 25: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Photos: Vigil for Ken Kostecki: Will County deputy battling severe COVID
A showcase of creative abilities: JCA students display their work at 2 collegiate art exhibits
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
The Cutest Cookbook You Might Ever Buy
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
When You First Hold Your Words in Your Hands
Many people who write fiction have those stories in their heads for many years before they feel brave enough to actually write them.
Many people who write fiction know, deep down, they will never see their work traditionally published.
Even when people who write fiction understand they can self-publish and share their writings with a few, the process feels so daunting they never tackle it.
And many people who write fiction also know that, however they publish, few actual people will ever read those words, even if they sell their books.
Knowing all of this, writers still, somehow, write.
And no joy can match the the joy when the first proof copy of your first book arrives in the mail and you can actually hold your words in your hands.
Pictured is the real Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara (yes, he's a real person), holding the proof copy of Ruthless, his first novel.
His wife Nancy, a beloved art teacher who made the front page of the Daily Southtown when she retired from Brodnicki Elementary School in Justice in 2014 - and was subsequently given the keys of the city - created all the interior and cover art.
Rebekah created the actual cover and did all the formatting.
I did all the editing - except for one round of copyediting that Colleen H Robbins did - and am currently copyediting the proof.
But nothing matches the work Ed himself put into this novel.
You see, Ed is extremely dyslexic and scatterbrained - his own words. And he's also said he's never finished anything.
My kids say this is not true. He's worked as a supervisor in newspaper delivery his entire life. And he always finished his routes.
Nevertheless, this book is a huge accomplishment in many ways. He wrote it to fit into my BryonySeries and developed some of my characters in ways I didn't imagine.
He asked for deadlines from, and he met every one.
And to ensure he met those deadlines, he worked through COVID.
Not "COVID" as in the pandemic.
But his own battle with COVID in November.
I'm very honored to be part of his publishing journey.
And I'm inviting everyone reading this post right now to be part of the celebration.
Calkins Day 2021 will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Calkins Day (Feb. 13, 2021) on Zoom.
Real food and drink available if you bring your own ingredients.
Calkins and his sidekick “The Goddess” will chat about author collaborations, how to legally fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense. Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.
He will also answer questions but doesn’t promise you’ll understand the answers. Calkins will also randomly give away three copies of “Ruthless.”
And we will celebrate the release of “Ruthless,” by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is a work of absolute literary nonsense about the last seven seconds in the life of an Irishman and his afterlife as an Irish vampire, most of which never happened.
Local author and WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez will emcee.
Chef Tim will give three demonstrations. Menu and ingredient list provided after registration.
Calkins Day is free. To register, visit bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.
Monday, January 25, 2021
Can Ya Help a Writer Out?
WriteOn Joliet is starting its ninth year supporting writers over eighteen in their writing journey.
I don't know if the founder emeritus of this group had longevity in mind when she persuaded me into this venture with her, but I, for one, am amazed at our growth and the wonderful writers I've had the honor to meet along the way while we grow in our craft.
Now ever since the inception of WriteOn Joliet in February 2012, members have expressed a desire to attend the annual Printer's Row Lit Fest in Chicago.
The cost for a double, covered table for all of our books is expensive, and we, as a group, would like to cover all of the costs through sponsorships and fundraising.
So last year, I had an idea for a permanent fundraiser for our group, which we finally put together this month.
Yes, I'm selling a book.
The book is called Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers and it's exactly as its says.
Except for some definitions of terms, each page has one editing prompt. The rest is blank, so the writer can make notes about things to check and revise.
All proceeds (meaning everything except the actual cost of the physical book, taxes, and shipping) stay within WriteOn Joliet for WriteOn members.
If you write fiction or know someone who writes fiction, this book is perfect for you.
Below is a formal description. And below that is the link for ordering, along with a link for WriteOn Joliet, so you can learn more about the group, too.
Many writers are familiar with writing prompts, a few lines to spark their inspiration to get the words flowing. It’s hard to find revision prompts. Writers know they need to revise their stories. But sometimes writers need a few editing prompts to help them look critically and objectively at their work.
That’s the reason for this workbook.
Each page highlights one area of the story to check. The rest of the page is blank, so writers can jot some notes on trouble spots and possible ways to revise.
Buy Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers here.
For more information about WriteOn Joliet, visit writeonjoliet.com.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
"What You Missed in 2020" by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara
Good morning!
If this is your first meeting with Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, you might want to read this post.
When he mentions the release of Ruthless in the first line, he is referring to his first novel, which is part of the BryonySeries and the first to be authored by someone other than me.
We are having a one-hour virtual book release party for him from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 (Calkins Day).
Real food and drink available if you bring your own ingredients.
Calkins and his sidekick “The Goddess” will chat about author collaborations, how to legally fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense. Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.
He will also answer questions but doesn’t promise you’ll understand the answers. Calkins will also randomly give away three copies of “Ruthless.”
Local author and WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez will emcee.
Chef Tim will give three demonstrations. Menu and ingredient list provided after registration.
Calkins Day is free. To register, visit bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.
And now, here is Ed's parody of 2020.
Dear MOMI,
I
realize that in the waiting for the release of Ruthless, many of you
haven’t been engaged in your community as you were in the previous year. The
wait has caused the drop in attendance of bars, restaurants, gyms, and other
places of social gathering in favor of mulling around your house waiting for
the book.
There are theories that the
coronavirus has something to do with this, but let’s not dwell on theoretical
conspiracies and stick to what is factually known. The need for fact about 2020
is so great that I have considered the possibility of publishing another
edition of “The Ruthless Times” after a little more than one year of the last
edition. But the need for fresh information does not override the proud
tradition of going to print only when a century’s worth of news transpires.
In any
case, the events of 2020 are too complicated for the pedestrian understanding
of current events. This year will take a dyslexic vampire to break it down for
you.
We could
start with the controversy around the vote. For those of you less aware, you
might assume I am referring to this year’s election. It was quite contentious
and ended in violence. Yes, in a year like no other the Queen of Christmas
election.
The Queen of Christmas election ended in a brawl between the recipient of the most votes and the runner up with more friends who surely voted for her. (Editor's note: Ed Calkins is a supervisor in a distribution center that oversees newspaper delivery. He and his wife buy Christmas presents for all the carriers' children out of their own money. Ed hosts a Queen of Christmas contest to pick the woman that will deliver the presents).
After seven recounts, two votes challenged,
and the integrity questioned of a dyslexic vote counter, the crown was placed
on a woman that needed three new crowns and stitches to say nothing of her two
black eyes while the runner up got the worst of it…that’s not the vote in
question.
No, I’m
referring to the votes by infectious disease historians (IDH) to proclaim COVID-19
as the deadliest disease to this date. One has to ask; when will the “black
death” ever get its proper due? COVID-19 may have killed more people in its
first year of infecting (debatable) but is that a fair comparison.
The Bubonic Plague killed 60
percent of the people that got it while COVID-19 only gets .5 percent at best. COVID-19
has claimed the life of one person in every thousand, the bubonic plague got 40
to 60 percent of all Europe. What? The bubonic plague doesn’t win? The argument
for that is that if the bubonic plague happened in modern times, bug stray and
flea collars could have stopped it cold. Right! Tell the unmasked COVID-19-doubters
that they need to wear a flea collar!
Another
usual thing that happed in 2020 is that the president of the United States
didn’t get impeached this year. I don’t know how that happened. Maybe Congress
was too busy not wearing masks. Anyway, the year started with the Senate’s
rejection of the articles of impeachment and that was all the peaches the
government would get. It wouldn’t be till the start of 2021 when “repeachment”
(I coined the phrase…don’t steal it) started up again.
Then
there were the protests and riots between law enforcement and physicists. Who
has not heard the chant “Black Matter lives?” To get the story, I personally
ran out into the streets to get both sides of the disagreement. On the
physicists’ side, they want to make clear that Black Matter (called dark matter
by some insensitive, less progressive scientists who fail to realize that by
calling something “dark” you imply it’s sinister,) makes up the largest
minority of matter in the country if not the universe. They do not see why
police are so disrespectful of that fact. But is it fact? Police deal in what
they can prove. How can they show respect to anything that can’t verify its
existence? To this, I was simply told that I do not understand the gravity of
the situation. Black Matter is being shot in the streets. To explain this
scientific short-hand, I would tell you that the major evidence of black matter
is the universe weighs more than it should. (Alright, I’ve gained a few pounds,
don’t go making theories about me.)
Although
I could not find a single instant of a cop suspected of shooting at black
matter, I can document their disrespect. I had to pull over nine squad cars
before I even got a comment of black matter. What did I get from the tenth, besides
a ticket from all ten of them (if I were black matter, would I have gotten ten
bullets instead)?
“Prove
it exists.”
Is that the standard for respect from law
enforcement? Not only do you have to prove your identity, but you have to prove
your existence!? Well for all you non-alarmists out there that think you’re
safe with the “I think therefore I am” line of reasoning, you’re BEGGING THE
QUESTION! The “I think” part of that assumes the conclusion. Although if you
assume the conclusion, it does fit a rather eloquent, consistent hypothesis
that seems to support the notion of “reality.”
Still, I have to renew my driver’s
license this year. They will ask me to prove my identity, driving ability, and
that I can see well enough to read the signs. They will not ask for proof of my
existence. How does black matter get to drive? Is that what’s meant be the joke
of getting a ticket for “driving while black?”
The last
really odd thing that happened in 2020 involves the pricing of printable
commodities. The price of printed paper runs on a predictable course of supply
and demand. Advertisement pamphlets may be less than worthless, unless we’re
talking about the one that Johannes Gutenberg printed, advertising his new
Bible. That pamphlet is as rare as it is expensive… a must-have for any
billionaire in the printing press business.
But 2020
saw an unprecedented demand for uncounted presidential ballots. The caveat was
these ballots had to be for a certain candidate as well as authentic. Common
sense would lead us to expect that anything of value should be quite rare, but
in this case, the precious ballots are rumored to be in the millions although
no one has actually found any. Just this December, a wealthy real estate broker
ordered 11,780 from Georgia’s secretary of state who insisted that none were to
be found. Courts around the nation have also been interested in these ballots
as well and have fared no better in receiving them.
Oddly, another type of ballot is
just as in demand - counted ballots for the other candidate that are
counterfeits. So much for my understanding of marketing.
Ruthlessly yours,
Ed Calkins
P.S. If you have Giuliani’s briefcase that went missing
before a bunch of court cases, please return it now.
Friday, January 22, 2021
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 16 through Jan. 22
Good morning! How did Friday get here so fast?
First and foremost, I'm sharing a quick reminder to register for Calkins Day 2021.
The event is also a book release party for “Ruthless,” by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is a work of absolute literary nonsense about the last seven seconds in the life of an Irishman and his afterlife as an Irish vampire, most of which never happened.
Calkins Day 2021 will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Calkins Day (Feb. 13, 2021) on Zoom.
Real food and drink available if you bring your own ingredients.
Calkins and his sidekick “The Goddess” will chat about author collaborations, how to legally fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense. Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.
He will also answer questions but doesn’t promise you’ll understand the answers. Calkins will also randomly give away three copies of “Ruthless.”
Local author and WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez will emcee.
Chef Tim will give three demonstrations. Menu and ingredient list provided after registration.
Calkins Day is free. To register, visit bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.
Finally, if you'd like to generate a little more kindness in 2021, read about my kindness journey in 2020.
The book contains brief, daily reflections that I jotted every day for nine months.
It's called Nine Months of Kindness, and you can buy it here.
Next up: some information and resources.
And beneath that, the 11 feature stories that have published so far this week (with seven more waiting to go online - yes, it's been a full week).
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
MORE BOOKS
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.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.
The enchantment of meter and rhyme: Joliet native published first book of poetry in her 80s
Pets of the Week: Jan. 18: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
A lifesaving 93rd birthday present: Joliet resident vaccinated against COVID-19 the day he turned 93
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Every Coffee Mug Tells a Story
Sue Midlock, the illustration for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series, gifted me with this cup because she said it reminded her of me. I love the vintage blue - and I can feel like I'm sipping coffee inside Simons Mansion!
This is one of the last remaining pieces from a set of dishes someone had given us when we were homeless and moving into an apartment back in 2014. I love the blue and white, and it's perfect for that small, pick-me-up cup of coffee.
By the way, isn't that BryonySeries mouse pad great? Rekekah surprised me with it.
This mug was a gift from Rebekah. The colors don't show up that well, but it's in blue (my favorite color) and BryonySeries purple.
This mug was a Christmas gift one year. It's blue (of course), but it also has a copper band. I love the color copper.
When I was in second grade at the former St. Bernard's School in Joliet, I often borrowed the copper crayon from my seatmate who had a box of Crayola 64 crayons. I only had a box of 48 (which only had gold and silver) but really wanted the 64 because of the copper.
Eventually, my parents did buy me a box - and I was super happy.
This is a good, all-purpose coffee mug whenever I need inspiration with my coffee, whether I'm writing features or fiction. It was a Christmas gift two years ago from WriteOn Joliet.
So there you have it! Some of the mugs that keep me company at my computer when I'm writing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
The Kiddle "Kollection" is Gradually Growing
Monday, January 18, 2021
Nine Months of Kindness
By late 2019, I had an idea to correct some of the negative attitudes that had crept into my thinking. So what's a writer to do?
I know. Write a book about the process.
And then to share took with others. Just in case anyone might be curious to read what I learned along the way or embark on a attitude shift of their own.
The topic was simple. I wanted to explore simple, reachable, and attainable ways to be more kind.
I also wanted to be more aware of the kindnesses of others (not necessarily directed at me, just in general) of the many, varied, and even subtle ways people display kindness.
So on January 1, 2020, I wrote the first entry. And I continued writing one each day for the next nine months.
Or to be more realistic, I often jotted a few notes as placeholder text and then caught up on the actual writing when I had more time.
Most of the entries are brief - a few lines or a couple short paragraphs.. Only one entry, I believe, runs into a second page. So if you wanted to read just one each day, your commitment time would be less than five minutes - and that would include opening the book.
And isn't the cover art beautiful? My daughter Rebekah designed it from one of her photos.
Here is the back cover summary:
They say “kindness” begins at home, and home starts with the person in the mirror. In “Nine Months of Kindness,” writer/editor Denise M. Baran-Unland spent part of 2020 exploring ways she could become kinder to herself and the people in her life. She shares her experiences, and her reflections, in this book.
Ironically, Amazon released the book on January 15, the day I turned fifty-nine and a half and also the day I began my eighth year as the features editor at The Herald-News.
You may purchase Nine Months of Kindness here.
And for an immediate reflection on kindness, visit check out this blog post by WriteOn Joliet member and poet Holly Coop: https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/03/spread-the-virus.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Calkins Day 2021 and the Release of "Ruthless"
Good morning readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. I hope you're having a wonderful day so far, which turns into an even better day.
With Calkins Day less than a month away, consider this post your first official invitation to attend what might be the most unusual hour of your year: 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13.
And if you're part of the majority that has no idea what Calkins Day is, watch this video, starting at the 4:50 mark.
Here's what's going on so far.
* Calkins Day 2021 is a virtual event this year for reasons that don't bear repeating and will be held on Zoom.
* The event is free, but you must register. Here is the link: bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.
* After you submit your registration, you will receive your Zoom coordinates and a menu card of the food we'll be serving that night. Wait! What? We're serving food? At a virtual event? Yes, that's correct.
* "Chef Tim" will be hosting three food demonstrations of festive, especially designed for Calkins Day refreshments, that you will be able to assemble right along with him. The ingredients are simple, common, and most likely items already in your cupboards. Again, you will receive your menu and "shopping list" at the time of registration.
* Local author, local celebrity, and my WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez has kindly agreed to emcee the event. In fact, we built the event time around his convenience.
* Topics for the hour will include the following: author collaborations, how to legally fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense, Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.
* A Calkins Day 2021 news release is ready for, well, release.
* We'll be circulating a flyer, too - just as soon as I send off the flyer information and photos to a friend who is better at graphic design than I am.
* Ed Calkins (yes, the Steward of Tara himself) will randomly giveaway a few copies of Ruthless to whomever pleases him.
* Also, Timothy is redeveloping Ed's page on the BryonySeries website that will include a few helpful links, including a guide to Calkins Day and how to best prepare for the optimal celebration experience.
* BUT FIRST we must have a book. Colleen Robbins returned the copyedits to me this past week, and she said the manuscript is fairly clean. This makes me happy that I spent ALL of my Thanksgiving break doing a very hard edit on the book (not on content but on spelling - Ed is terribly dyslexic). I also feel pretty good that I caught most of errors since copy editing is my weakest editing link.
* So, trusting in the cleanness of the pages, I'm embarking on the ambitious task today of (hopefully) copy editing the entire book, so Rebekah can format it this weekend. The art is also scanned and ready to go. The goal is to have a proof copies on their way to Ed and me by Monday.
* Side note: I'm also finishing the copy edits of a novel for a client. I have two more chapters to go, so I hope to get that done this weekend, too. Hey, my toe is still broken; it snowed yesterday; and I have plenty of coffee in the house.. I might as well get some projects done.
Friday, January 15, 2021
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 9 through Jan. 15
Good morning!
On this day in 2014, I officially said, "Goodbye," to a career as a freelance features writer and officially became the features editor at The Herald-News.
I'm thankful every day for this job, and that is the truth - and it was one of the best surprises in my life.
Shaw Media had just purchased the newspaper, my family was in a rough situation, and I had maxed out on the amount of freelance work I could accomplish. I literally had no more hours left in the day and the amount of money publications would/could pay for the work was dropping.
So I had made the decision to look for a "real" job after Old Calendar Christmas on January 7. Instead, a former reporter for The Herald-News insisted I send off my resume to Shaw Media and apply for the position of features editor, which was definitely a stretch of my skills (not the resume, the position).
Having seen journalists come and go (mostly go) in this industry through the years, I'm fortunate enough to still be here, and I'm grateful for it.
I wish the same for all of you - work that interests you, stretches you, and gives you a tremendous amount of satisfaction at the end of the day.
On the fiction front, Colleen Robbins has returned Ed Calkins' manuscript Ruthless to me with her copyedits, and she said it was pretty clean, making me super happy I spent four intense days working on it over Thanksgiving break (Ed is very dyslexic).
So I plan to get Ruthless ready for Rebekah's formatting this weekend and a proof copy ordered by Tuesday. It's less than a month until Calkins Day.
And speaking of Calkins Day, we will have event details to you next week!
Also on the fiction front, Colleen is also working on the copy edits for The Phoenix, the first book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I'm also playing around - very slightly - with beginning notes for the second book, Call of the Siren. Can you believe I already have original cover art for it? (More on this later).
Finally, I'm finishing up the copyedits on a novel for a client, hopefully by this weekend.
Have a great Friday!
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.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.
FEATURES
An Extraordinary Life: Joliet native was ‘a bonafide rocket scientist'
Pets of the Week: Jan. 11: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Photos: A bit of Vietnam Christmas in Joliet
Photos: Moe Joe's staff delivers meals to COVID unit nurses
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Just a Brief Message Today
I have an early morning doctor's appointment today, so I'm a little rushed.
But that doesn't mean I can't stop a moment to offer a few kind words to the people who stop to read this blog.
I hope that today treats you well and that you stay safe during these crazy times.
I hope your day is full of love - full of people for you to love and at least a few who love you back.
May you take time to enjoy something that gives you joy.
And may peace rule in your heart and life at all times.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Writers are Readers: 13 Suggestions for You
Last year, my WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez suggested the Joliet-based critique group start a monthly blog featuring books members liked as readers and helped them as writers.
Here’s a look back at those books.
If you're a reader, you might discover (or rediscover) some titles for your reading list.
If you're a writer, you might find some writing helps in places you hadn't considered.
Either way - enjoy!
Writers are Readers: "The Book of Cain"
Writers are Readers: "Middlemarch, a Study of Provincial Life"
Writers are Readers: "Liar’s Poker"
Writers are Readers: "Slaughterhouse-Five"
Writers are Readers: "The Romance Writer's Phrase Book"
Writers are Readers: "Nancy Drew Mysteries"
Writers are Readers: “Nanka of Old Bohemia”
Writers are Readers: “Nick Adams Stories”
Writers are Readers: “Justice On Trial”
Writers are Readers: “Candle in her Room”
Writers are Readers: "Treasure Island"
Writers are Readers: “Twilight”
Writers are Readers: “A Memoir of the Craft”
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Fun Discovery: The Voice Actors Behind Your Favorite Holiday Shows
During our family's Christmas 2020 Film Festival (made possible by social distance due to COVID), we watched some of the animated Christmas specials from my childhood: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Charlie Brown Christmas.
Thanks to the internet, we interspersed our watching with looking up trivia on the people behind the voices (links at the bottom of his blog).
One man had quite the prolific career: Paul Frees. If Wikipedia is correct, he also had five wives and died by suicide.
Still, the amount of projects to which he contributed is astounding, to say the least.
https://www.otrcat.com/p/paul-frees
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/actors/paul-frees
And now, check out the faces behind the voices of your childhood favorites:
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer/
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Santa-Claus-is-Comin-to-Town/
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Frosty-the-Snowman/
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Little-Drummer-Boy/
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/How-the-Grinch-Stole-Christmas/
