Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Pandemic Project - Proof Copy is on its Way

Like many people in 2020, I spent most of my time at home.

Unlike many people of 2020, I spent most of that time in one room because my bedroom and my office share a single space.

But even on weekends, I remained in that room because my hobby is writing fiction. In my case, the truth is, perhaps, stranger than fiction.

A couple years ago, I had an idea for a new BryonySeries trilogy called Limbo. I wanted to explore the movement and growth among the people in a place where progress, for the most part, just stops - with the overarching theme of rebirth.

So I outlined the series and then, when I used the rest of my vacation time in December 2019, I outlined the first book, confident I could write all of the first draft 2020 (which I did).

The first book in the series, called The Phoenix, explores that theme in two parallel stories in a late nineteenth century fishing village.

One story (the odd chapters) is about a twelve-year-old girl who is stuck inside one room at Munsonville Inn with her parents. The family lives "on the move" (supported by the mother's money) as the father chases one story after another, hoping to break into journalism into a big way. 

He's mostly hindered by a recurring illness that winds up making him deathly ill. And his wife, while his biggest supporter, is his biggest enabler. Their daughter has learned to mentally grow up fast. She's (mostly) a detached, unsmiling observor to the entire situation.

The second story (the even chapters) is about two newly turned vampires who are trying to figure out their new non-life from the confines of a mansion in the same village. They initually dine in the villagers (who are already reeling from the loss of life from a previous tragedy), and those villagers attribute these new deaths to a mysterious illness. So, for their protection, people are told to stay home.

Of course, they continue to die. Until, early on in the book, the vampires are ordered to find food elsewhere.

Yes, I had chosen to write a quarantine-type of story in what turned out to be a quarantine type of year. 

So while I spent my work time writing COVID stories, I spent my down time writing about illness and sheltering in place. The irony struck me one day as I was working on the novel.

But I did finish it before the holidays and sent it to my editor. I've incorporated (most) of her suggestions.

Topher Gleason created the cover art last year and Rebekah created the cover and learned a new skill to do something a little different with the formatting.

And now, the proof copy is on its way and should be here by Monday.




Tuesday, March 30, 2021

A Surprise Gift From Christopher

A couple of weeks ago my oldest son Christopher, who now stands at 6'10" and turns 39 today at 1:28 p.m., stopped at the house with a package.

I interviewing someone over the phone, so Rebekah answered the knock at the door. Inside was this little book.



I had sent Christopher the link over the holidays when I'd found a copy on eBay, thinking he might like one of his own, to read to his children or as a keepsake for himself. I had no idea he'd buy it for me.

I'm not certain what happened to my version. It may have been lost when we lost our house in Channahon. Or it may still be packed up in one of the boxes of items we wound up keeping.

But at any rate, the book Christopher bought was a book from my childhood, embellished with crayon scribbbles I don't recall making.

Its copyright is 1951, ten years before I was born, so I'm not certain how my parents acquired the book or how it came to me.

It wasn't one of my favorite books as a child. But it was a perfect book for me to read to Christopher during Advent of 1983, when he was just a year and a half old.

It introduced Christopher to the nativity story but also to the music of writing. The opening lines read:

Gray donkey stook very still.

One long gray ear was up.

One long gray ear was done.

It wasn't long before Christopher could recite some of these lines while I was reading them.

Here are some of the book's interior images. Take special note of the last one.

http://themarlowebookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/12/jesus-little-new-baby.html

Because I should also mention that when I was introducing Christopher to the nativity story, I was also expecting Sarah.

So I was introducing Christopher not just to the baby who was the savior of the world, but that God was blessing our own family with a baby and that he was to become a big brother.

After Sarah was born, and during the times I held her, Chirstopher would tell me I was "holding my precious baby in my arms."

I am certainly no "Blessed Mother."

But I am certainly a "blessed mother."






Monday, March 29, 2021

Just Don't Attach a Photo

So it seems whenever my computer goes through an update during the night, it has an issue with attaching and uploading photos.

Attaching and uploading photos is a big part of my early morning routine, since I'm answering emails, scheduling social media, putting photos into the system for stories due later in the day, etc.

So when I randomly have this issue in the early morning when I scarcely awake, I wind up having to troubleshoot and restart the computer (sometimes a few times), which puts the whole day behind.

This morning, I had an idea.

I'll just have emails ready to go (draft form), social media posts ready to go and just NOT attach any photos.

Then while I'm making breakfast, I'll put the computer through a restart. And then I'll attach photos and press "send."

This only took me half a year to figure out.

It's not a solution. It doesn't fix the issue (I really need Christopher for that). And it's certainly not the blog post I wanted to post today.

But it does keep the morning on track. As long as I keep making a conscious effort to not attach or upload photos (It's amazing how much I do automatically. Good habits are great - until you have to change it up).

So if you're reading this post and see a photo, you'll know the problem is resolved for today.



Sunday, March 28, 2021

Sue's Diner: Bohemian Biscuits with Jam

Today's recipe is most likely older than both of our ages together (mine and whoever is reading this - and if you're young enough, triple that!).

It's adapted from the Bohemian-American Cookbook by Marie Rosicky, published by the Automatic Printing Company.

Side note: My mother owns a much older version of the current cookbook. It's still in print and the company gave me permission to modify some of the recipes and republish them as long as it approved the modifications.

Here is the back story of this really fun cookbook (along with you you can get your own copy).

The recipe is referenced in chapter 27 of Bryony. In that chapter, (spoilers), Melissa develops a crush on Henry and boldly approaches him for a date. So Henry seizes his chance to enlarge Melissa’s world and gives her a kaleidoscope evening of theater, historical landmarks, and peasant food.

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. Scroll down to "Recipe of the Week."

But try it this week. It will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?


From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com.




Saturday, March 27, 2021

In-Depth Review of "Ruthless" by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

So this week Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, got his first review on Amazon for his first novel, Ruthless, so I sent a link to Ed and Nancy Calkins.

Nancy messaged me back and said she "printed it out for Edward." And then she added, "The only problem is I have to live with him now.. he’s ruthlessly pompous."

I reminded her that the slowing down of sales will humble him. But then she replied, "Remember, he's ruthless. No humilty there."

Here is the review. And, honestly, I think the reviewer did a terrific job of summing up this novel of literary nonsense.

And just so you know, the reviewer is someone who has never met Ed. This person has written other wonderful lauds about the series and I often refer to this person as my "super fan."

Just so you know.

Below is a photo of the real Ed at the real post office, mailing copies of Ruthless to the three people who won them at his virtual book release party, which was held on Calkins Day (Feb. 13), of course.


5.0 out of 5 stars Ruthless is a magical, mystical kingdom where time has no meaning and nothing is real

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2021

Verified Purchase


Ruthless by Edward Calkins isn’t at all what I was expecting - it was much better and far deeper. There are so many inferences and so much meaning packed between the lines that you’ll obsessively read it two or three times to catch the fine points.

 

The novel is a 400-page backstory to the Bryony Trilogy by Denise Baran Unland - one of my favorite tales. The Bryony Trilogy features Ed Calkins - the author of Ruthless and the protagonist in the book - a very unique take.

 

In the trilogy, Calkins was a benevolent presence in an otherwise dark, terrifying world. He played the role of a limerick-loving Irish vampire who appeared *POOF* as if by magic, throughout the trilogy. He was part fool and part sage, and I wanted to know more about this interesting character.

 

Happily, Calkins wrote Ruthless, where he gets to tell his own story while weaving the continuous thread of Bryony - not a simple task. His interpretation of characters and situations from the trilogy made me question what I believed I understood.

 

Make no mistake, Ruthless will tempt you into reading the Bryony Trilogy (and you should), But, it’s also a fine standalone novel.

 

What makes Ruthless a masterpiece is the “love story” between Calkins and his alter-ego, Trudy. His character development is impressive. Trudy is painted with such a loving brush that you’ll feel you know her. Short, chubby and though not traditionally beautiful, she has haunting gray eyes that beckon and a weariness of soul that makes her so very human and fallible.

 

My favorite chapter, “The Game of My Life” touches on how Calkins met Trudy in a group for awkward teens. Trudy was sexually abused by her father. Calkins was molested by Fr. John Chokey. Trudy copes with her pain with sex, booze, drugs and cynicism. Calkins withdraws into his imagination, where he is Steward of Tara - ruthless and feared.

 

To win Trudy’s affection, Calkins competes in a chess game with another awkward teen named Malcolm. One of the most heartbreaking scenes is when Calkins wins the game but appears to lose Trudy. Winning isn’t always winning - it’s a lesson he revisits throughout the book.

 

Trudy’s personality is so powerful that she sometimes steals the show. At times, I envisioned Trudy as spectral - not the real Trudy, but a composite of the real Trudy and the one living in Calkins' fertile imagination. This was especially evident when Trudy attends Calkins’ wake. Though she interacts with the family, friends and coworkers, she’s sepia-hued - she doesn’t quite belong, It was jarring and effective and quite brilliant.

 

On the supernatural side of things, mirrors are portals. The author uses mirrors to speak his deepest thoughts to Trudy from far away. Monsters find him through mirrors and he escapes through mirrors. He travels to the lands of the fey, where he is again The Steward of Tara. Through mirrors he transcends time and space, bending them to his will - escaping to a certain level of purgatory where the evil ones are powerless. And maybe there he can finally comprehend evil.

 

Ruthless is cleverly written. Since the name of the author and protagonist are one in the same, it’s easy to believe the book is - at least in part - autobiographical. What's reality? What's not? Here's a clue, nothing is real.





Friday, March 26, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 20 through March 26

Good morning! Running slightly behind my self-imposed schedule this morning as I hit snooze quite a few times without even realizing it. But I feel super rested, so maybe that was a good thing?

On the homefront, we seem to be coming near the end of a weird few weeks of medical stuff (nothing serious, just one after the other), so hopefully we can all have a nice, restful weekend.

On the workfront, I have seventeen stories to share with you today (at the end of this post).

On the "editing for clients" front, I finished up one project over the weekend and started a first round for a client and a second round for another another client. 

On the fiction front, I'm halfway through Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe and working very sloooooooowly on the second book in the a new BryonySeries trilogy called Limbo: Call of the Siren

Rebekah is formatting the first book The Phoenix. And I have the art for both. And I've actually outlined the third book in that series, House on top of the Hill

So, along with some walks (and maybe a nap), I hope to make progress on all these projects this weekend.

Now back to the seventeen feature stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook pageWe're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

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.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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.


‘As a child you just want to be part of those opportunities’: New Lenox school district offers bike camp for people with disabilities

LocalLit book preview: Taking coloring to the next level: Joliet artist creates #coloring book and journal for all ages 

And then read the REVIEW here

'I think the key point of this virus is the asymptomatic spread’: WillCounty health officials reflect back on a year of COVID-19: what worked, what didn’t

A commitment to feeding the hungry in Will, Grundy counties: D. 86 in Joliet served its 1 millionth ‘pandemic’ meal to kids, more free food events in area are coming up

Fifty-seven Joliet Central and West band students participated in honor band: Southwest Prairie Conference Honor Band event was held virtually Feb. 16 

Troy school district connects with families and volunteers through food: Activities include virtual cooking night and providing meals for volunteers at COVID vaccine clinics

An Extraordinary Life: ‘Every little detail would be covered’: Joliet man served with all his heart at home, on the job and in the community

Pets of the Week: March 22: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Providence music students earn 66 superior awards at IHSA music competition: Students also earned 4 excellent awards and had three performances selected as Best of Day

USDA grant will help Lewis University provide services for residents in rural areas: Clinical therapists will provide individual speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling sessions  

100th birthday parade for World War II veteran canceled: Longtime Joliet businessman and musician Norbert Zielinski is in the hospital and not doing well

Plainfield making spring cleaning convenient week of April 12: Residents can place household refuse, bulk items white goods at the curb on their regular pickup day

Joshua Arms down to 1 elevator in 18-story building of seniors and disabled adults: The need to retrofit parts and replace electronics causing delays, spokesperson says

EAA Chapter 15 of Romeoville helps 18-year-old earn pilot’s license: James Duffy of Evergreen Park plans to attend Lewis University and become an airline pilot

Wilmington prairie receives funds to for 2 bridge replacement projects: Projects made possible by National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund 

D. 202 superintendent Lane Abrell to retire: Associate superintendent Glenn Wood will become superintendent of schools in 2022-23 




Illustration byu Mall Coundiff for "Visage."

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

A Collection of Really Unusual Vampire-Themed Videos

During her furlough this year, Rebekah did some pretty cool projects for the BryonySeries.

One of those projects was going through all the videos I'd posted on this blog since its incpetion (2010) and creating playlists on the BryonySeries YouTube channel.

Here is one called "Vampire videos." It's a collection of some, us, really interesting videos.

There's music, documentaries, humor, LEGOS, parody, jokes, film clips, and even the techniques involved in cooking a vampire.

And be sure to watch this one - by the creator of the book trailer for Visage.

Check them out here.


Photo by Timothy Baran


Tuesday, March 23, 2021

When You're Reading a Book and Encounter...

...a person with the same name as one of the main characters.

In the early days of this blog, I'd have occasional posts called "Bryony Moment of the Day."

These would be those unusual coincidences that line up with the BryonySeries.

For instance, when interviewing one woman named Melissa, she told me her younger brother was Brian.

Another time, I wound up interviewing a woman by the name of Julie Drake. Of course, I had to tell her about the fictional Jule Drake. Even more wild, her husband's name is David.

We had a lunch a few times (we are overdue, thanks COVID) and still talk on social media.

So yesterday, someone who is reading Visage said he just learned a John Simotes works out at the same gym he does and then added:

Haha I mean what are the chances of that? Literally reading the book he's in and then this pops up this morning...coincidences happen of course, but the empathic/mystic sides of my brain are wondering what this could signify? 

Well that can only signify one thing.

My reply: The story is bigger than both of us.

May today bring you happy surprises and reasons to make you pause in very good ways.



Monday, March 22, 2021

Quick Monday Morning Reflection

So my computer went through an update yesterday and now it freezes when I try to attach a photo, making me wonder why I got up extra early to get a jump on the day.

And from my window this morning (just to to my right) is a beautiful sunrise, orangey-pink streaks through the lightening blue.

Of course, I can't share a picture of that with you.

I'm not very far into the work day and I can scarcely see my desk for all the paperwork haphazardly covering it.

But I slept fairly well last night and a health issue, which has flared off and on these last few months, has quited down, for this morning at least. And my day (week, month, year) is full of more story ideas than I can ever possibly write, something that me as a child dreaming to be a writer one day could never have imagined possible.

The cup of coffee is three-quarters empty. But I have plenty more coffee downstairs, five varieties of coffee, ready for whever I wish to make it.

Once Rebekah has a moment, she can fix the computer issue while I catch up on social media and email (I'm woefully behind in replying to posts, which makes me feel antisocial). 

So perhaps the computer issue is an opportunity to accomplish another project?

For anyone reading this post, here's hoping any pebbles in your path today are really opportunities in disguise - and any roadblocks are really invitations to go another, and better, way.

PS: If you're reading this post and you see a photo, it means Rebekah has fixed the issue, and I've returned to attach a photo. So thankful to her!

PPS: The issue resolved all by itself. But Rebekah is still great!

PPPS: This is not the sunrise from my window. But it's a beautiful photo Timothy took some time ago and sent to me. 







Sunday, March 21, 2021

Sue's Diner: Chocolate Caramels from 1881

The recipe Rebekah and I are featuring in Sue's Diner this week is from 1881. A variation of it ran in the New York Times.

It's not an official "BryonySeries" recipe, in the sense that it has not (so far) appeared in any of the books as a food reference, and we haven't used it in one of our cookbooks.

To us, it tasted like a cross between the molasses candy of the nineteenth century and a chocolate taffy. The taste of the molasses is stronger than the chocolate, which was still an more unusual ingredient at the time.

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. Scroll down to "Recipe of the Week."

But try it this week. It will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?



They often made snacks. Sometimes the "snack" was a batch of molasses candy. At other times, they boiled a fruit pudding and ate it straight from the bag with a butter sauce. "Before The Blood, Bryony Simons"


Saturday, March 20, 2021

Road Trip

My WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez likes to suggest writing themes and prompts for members of the group, carrying on a tradition that the original founder started when writers were stuck on their works in progress and didn't know what elese to write.

A prompt wakes up the muse, gets the words out, and, hopefully, engages writers with the current projects.

One time, along, long time ago (back in 2013, I think), Tom's prompt was to write a review. So I wrote a restaurant review of Sue's Diner in the BryonySeries - complete with phone number and website.

One writer in attendance that night actually started looking up the venue on her phone and was disappointed when I told her neither Sue's Diner nor Munsonville, Michigan (where it's located) is real.

But it was a huge compliment.

Some writers (me, included) loves stories so real, they feel transported into the other worlds. The characters feel so real, the readers wouldn't be suprised if those characters walked into the room. 

A new reader to the BryonySeries sent me this message last week:

Your characters are totally real and believable...Also about 1/3 through Visage and loving it! I’m sorry it took me this long to get hooked on the trilogy...just love the realness if it. Like we talked about last week, I love your character dev. They feel so real. And the situations and scenes are not stretched or strange, even in a vampire story. You do such a great job making a spooky atmosphere out of daily/normal life. It’s awesome.

It's easy to consider the people in a story as characters, too. But I think "place" can also be a character that has its own personality, history, and development.

And that leads me to the most recent telegram from Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

One last piece of commentary from me: Good writing takes time and work. And I'm encouraged that, at least in a small part of the (real) world, the effort on both is paying off.


Dear MOMI

An absurd quest begins with an absurd question.

I am reading the BTB series midway thru the Bryony Simons installment where many things unclear and speculative have lifted like February winter into the trappings of March. I waited far too long to read these books and my wonder of these four main characters lavished (editor's note: languished?) in ignorance. Never have I read an author so meticulously focused on the tastes of the times, but in food and blood. So right were you to include the hardships of the past, mostly endured by the under privilege common folk which made up the vast majority.

Things were possible then in the new world that are quite unlikely anywhere else in the 1800s and have become impossible in post industrial times. Munsonville is described as a settlement born of a single man’s vision with the necessary recourses, scant as they may be, to buy up an entire plot of land large enough to become a zip code. Towns and even cities, share this type of history all around the New World and so grew the Western nations…east and west; north and south. Farms, factories, train station stops, and stables grew into urban development on an absurd scale as did the names of the men and in some small instances, women, gave their names to the streets and places that grew beyond their time and place.

But are they real?

Yea and nay, I would insist. ( I’m insist because just saying so would have created an unintended rhyme and I make too many limericks to waste on a mere letter.) People and places have a way of inventing their own mythology. Such is the right and duty of an Irishman, but hey, everyone is a wee bit Irish. Let’s get back to the absurd.
 
You’ve been telling your readers that in fact Ed Calkins is a real person despite the legal document I signed stating that though I may have at one time have been, I now am the property of the BryonySeries.com which holds the rights to all existences metaphoric, historical, or otherwise. So, too, is Tara a real place in Ireland and in the imagination of Ed Calkins, though one is said to exist outside of any imaginations. I dispute this. Before someone’s imagination, Ireland was just an unnamed Island, Tara an unnamed hill. Does anything ever exist unless someone imagines it first?

We could run down that rabbit hole with metaphysics or existentialism…or we could ignore the question in favor of one more absurd. So, I have to ask; Is Munsonville, Michigan a real place as described by the series? I’ve been online asking that very question and have gotten only so close. There is a place named Hunsonville that seems to be in the right part of the map, with the right history to be the one famed Munsonville of the series. But that is only a guess.

I need to know the truth in this….or at lest a convincing myth because my quest it to travel there! I want to tell any locals that will listen that their places in the world has been elevated by vampirian (spell check says its not a word, but I just made it one), legend. I want to go to its library and donate the series. But most of all I want to go to the place of my death and place a roadside shrine in my honor, dedicated to the carrier who gave his life in service of newspaper delivery. You may recall the 12th carrier of Gettysburg, but what about the other 11 that did not survive? Did anyone put up a shrine in their names?

So, dear Goddess, I need to know…is Munsonville real and is it known by another name?
                                                                        
Ruthlessly yours,
                                                                        
Ed Calkins

P.S. I am serious about taking a road trip to Munsonville some time this year. 



And then, because the email quickly got buried and I missed it, Nancy Calkins sent this message a couple days later: Edward asked a question about Munsonville.. is there a real town that you think of when writing.  If so what is the name of the town or the area and what state is it in.



Sadly, I had to send Ed and Nancy this reply:

Alas, Munsonville, Michigan is only real in the BryonySeries.

Although there is a Munsonville, New Hampshire, which I did not realize until I'd already written "Bryony."


But you could always buy a plot of land with your retirement funds and start one. ;)





Friday, March 19, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 13 through March 19

Good morning!

It's been a few weeks since I shared an update on my fiction projects. But I will keep that brief because I have twenty-five stories to share with you today.

I am currently working on the second book of the new BryonySeries trilogy called Limbo. The heavy dediting for the first book, The Phoenix, is done. 

Rebekah is learning a new that she wants to use in the creation of this book only, so the formatting is take a little bit of time. When the formatting is done, we'll order a proof, and I'll give it one last copyedit.

I'm only slowly working on a very basic draft of the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo series. This one is called Call of the Siren. I'm using a slightly different structure for this book, and, to also change my perspective a bit, I've signed up for an intense, three-day writing retreat with the 5 a.m. writer's club for the end of April. 

Although I've taken one-person, in-home writing retreats in the past (and most likely will do at least one this year), this is my first writing retreat that is not organized or led by me and also includes other people. I am really looking forward to it.

I'm also working at finishing up Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe and Cornell Dyer and the Miraculous Pot of Coffee is in very early outline form (Timothy creates the basic story, so it's simmering in the back of his mind).

I'm also, and also very slowly, giving the original BryonySeries "drop of blood trilogy" (Bryony, Visage and Staked!) another copy edit. Rebekah didn't like the original formatting on them (she didn't do those books) and redid them earlier this year. 

But because I know the books do contain some typos, I asked her to hold off on re-uploading them until I can give them another look. I'm doing that very slowly, hoping to catch any lingering errors.

Nothing new on the Bertrand the Mouse front yet - but I am planning on releasing three more of his books this year.

So back to the twenty-five feature stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

And have a great Friday!

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook pageWe're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

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.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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.


New lounge with European flair comes to Plainfield: BeAttitudes strives to portray an atmosphere of ‘supreme blessedness’

Music connects students with seniors who have cognitive decline: L-W Central in NewLenox participates in AliveInside program for the 2nd year 

Bring beauty to your life with plant sale, art exhibits 

District 86 in Joliet announces its students of the month for February: Accomplishments of students from 7 schools recognized 

D. 86 in Joliet announces its students of the month for January: Accomplishments of students from 7 schools recognized 

Hello spring? Not so fast: Winter weather makes an appearance in Will County on Monday

LocalLit book review: ‘Memories from Margaret’ is full of Joliet history: Author Sue Shetina paints vivid picture of life in the south and in the Joliet of decades past

To help ‘restore a really intact ecosystem’ in Will County: Funding will be used at cluster of 3 preserves commonly known as Braidwood Sands 

Photos: Some of the rare species at Braidwood Sands

Pets of the Week: March 15: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

‘Love of Lincoln-Way’ generates over $30,000 in net proceeds: Proceeds Lincoln-Way Foundation’s virtual gala exceeds expectations 

‘My hope is that my work will be an encouragement to someone’: Zonta Club of Joliet named Denise Winfrey its Woman of Distinction for 2021 

Shorewood Lions recognizes students for citizenship, positive, participation: Troy School District 30-C announces its students of the month for January

Joliet high school students recognized for character, responsibility, academics: D. 204 in Joliet announces its students of the month 

Plainfield man faces insurance woes, rising bills after out-of-state accident: Family and friends raising money for Anthony Ortega’s medical and living expenses

Noticing little tunnels in your yard as the snow melts? You’re not alone: Will County master gardener says they may be caused by voles — and these mammals may be long gone

JCA students successful at school and in the community: Joliet Catholic Academy announces its students of the month for January 

DuPage Medical Group acquires Joliet Oncology-Hematology Associates, Ltd. (JOHA): Oncology and hematology care, infusion services to continue at Joliet, Morris, New Lenox locations

LocalLit book review: ‘Plainfield’ by Timothy and Michelle Smith: Couple’s illustrated book on Plainfield through the years makes local history come alive

Someone saved Wenora Johnson’s life. Now she’s repaying the favor: Joliet woman’s mission is advocating for colonc cancer screening

New Lenox Community Park District cancels annual 4-day festival for 2021: No decision made yet on Taste of Joliet, Channahon’s Three Rivers Festival is making plans for annual event

‘I just feel like God has given us the ability to adapt as humans’: Charles Thompson of #Joliet shares his experiences 1 year after severe COVID 

Area libraries have plenty of free activities: check out some good ones: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers more tips for enjoying your weekend

Skip the cellophane variety: Grow your own Easter grass with a $5 kit: Will County master gardener will give presentation March 23 on Zoom


Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."




Thursday, March 18, 2021

Lucas

All of life, I think is an opportunity. 

Hold that thought.

Many of my peers have regular contact with their grandchildren and even regularly scheduled times they see them. They spend their days with their grandchildren while their parents work or they keep their grandchildren on the weekends.

I have a lot of grandchildren. And I don't see them in person that often - and certainly not in 2020.

Several reasons play into that. Most of them live in Grundy County, and we have conflicting work and school schedules.

Visiting with some of them is complicated (although it does happen) due to issues between their divorced or otherwise estranged parents.

Most of my step-grandchildren and my oldest grandson live out of state.

Today, I am focusing on that oldest grandson. His name is Lucas and he will start high school in the fall.

Last night while I was on the phone with his mother Sarah, my oldest daughter, he was impatient for her to finish so we could talk. That may not sound earth shattering, but we're talking about a teenage boy itching to chat with his grandma. That relationship happened long distance and it didn't happen overnight.

Here is a photo of us from 2017. He looks way different now and most likely is taller than I am, too.


Even as a baby and toddler, Lucas was strong-willed and very independent, with a bit of attitude mixed into that, so building that relationship wasn't easy, especially considering he lived far away, and neither his family nor mine had the resources for visiting.


He was still pretty young when Sarah helped me launch the BryonySeries, but he was super proud of it and liked to tell people I was an author. He also dressed up very nicely at our launch, which was a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.


He created and sent me a card about vampires and made up and recorded a song on a special app that went away - so the song did, too.


The first year I could afford to visit him was 2015. He tried to establish his dominance from the start (which failed), but his "attitude" persisted, so finding positive ways to bond was challenging was that first year. 

But we had them.


You can see glimpses of his personality here.

But we also had some great building blocks, too. You should have seen the look on stunned surprise his face when I spontaneously bought a video game he wanted. Just because I was the grandmother and could. Just so Lucas knew I was whole-heartedly in his corner.

Or the way he wrestled with the Pop-Tarts.

But my favorite video is the one I took of him the following year when we spent a day at the ocean. I was sitting on the sand before we left, just watching him, and decided to capture that moment on my phone, realizing how different he'd be the following year - which he was.

I called it, "On the Brink of Fourth Grade."

That fall, I decided to become pen pals with my grandchildren. Each month, I sent a littele note or little surprise (stickets, coloring pages, small toys, etc.) in the mail to help establish us as grand,mother/grandchildren.

And, occasionally, the grandkids, Lucas, too, wrote back to me.


You saw the photo from 2017.

In 2018, plane fare soared, and I stayed home. But that January, for old Calendar Christmas on January 7th, I gave my grandkids a Christmas present of experience: we made bread bears together.


Lucas made his remotely. We shared pictures with each other on a private social media page I started for the grandkids - because it's important for them to bond, too.


The last trip was 2019. We arrrived at 1 a.m. and he greeted me in a deep voice and open arms.

We had reached the turning point.

That week, Lucas spent a good portion of it camping with his father. My daughters and I spent a day at the campground, too, swimming, cooking out, etc.

When the time came to start the food, my daughters encouraged me to stay in the water (my favorite place to be), while they did the cooking, and Lucas offered "to keep an eye on me."

We swam back and forth for an hour, just talking about stuff. It was the best time, and I could never have dreamed at the time that the following year we'd be in the middle of a world-wide pandemic.

Social media helps. He sends quick texts and photos on Snapchat (his bitmoji wears a crown and sunglasses because Lucas is still Lucas).

And last night, he interrupted Sarah a couple times on the phone because he wanted to talk. When his turn came, I carried the conversation for a while because he didn't have a particular subject in mind. He just wanted the connection, although he didn't say that.

So we talked about his return to soccer and the weapons he likes to make from branches in the woods. We talked video games (I find them boring and don't play them) and why I prefer writing.

But he actually verbalized his enjoyment of games (no revelatios) and suggested an RPG version I might like (Fable?) - with the offer of teaching me how to play it the next time I make it to his house. 

By suggesting a one-player, role playing game with a highly developed story line tells me that Lucas has paid attention to my own interests, too.

Yes, a thirteen-year-old boy.

We also talked about another family member he likes to tease. And I shared with him some insight that this person actually doesn't like the teasing, which he didn't know. We talked about ways to be supportive instead without losing that bond.

I cut the conversation short after thirty minutes because I needed a little down time before getting ready bed. He didn't understand that at first. So I explained it, and he got it. His body, he said, gets tried before his mind does. And it can take him a long time to fall asleep. I understand, which is why I need the down time. My mind won't shut off otherwise.

Back to "all of life is oppportunity."

I didn't build a daily or weekly bond with Lucas. In fact, only babysat him for one afternoon many years ago, and we worked on his math, which wasn't fun for him.

I've only visited him in person four times. Just once in that time period has he come to Joliet - for Rebekah's college graduation.

Now I could have chosen to focus on what I didn't have. Or I could choose to focus on the opportunities for building a lifelong relationship. Because although time with grandhildren is important when they're young, they won't be young for long.

Those grandchildren will spend most of their lives as adults. And we will relate to them for most of our lives as one adult to another, which is important to remember. 

The next time I see Lucas, he won't be on the brink of fourth grade anymore. He will be on the brink of manhood.

And I couldn't be more proud of him.







Tuesday, March 16, 2021

How I Spend My Free Time

I'm a pretty simple person.

I like to talk long walks.

I like to spend time with my family and a few close friends.

I like to read. Because I read, I also like to write.

And apparently, I write quite a bit. 

I love my day job as a features writer/editor for The Herald-News in Joliet.

But ever since I was little, I have loved books. I always had story ideas in mind for books.

I wrote my first novella in a notebook when I was thirteen. It was one-hundred and forty-seven handwritten pages in a spiral notebook. I "accidentally" left it lying around the house so the family could discover it. My mother said it was terrible - and I stopped writing for a long, long time. (It probably was terrible, and I've long since gotten over it).

But then in January of 1985, I had the idea for a novel. I toyed with it over the years, while raising and homeschooling six kids.

I never got busy writing it until the fall of 2007. But when I did, the stories just seemed to unleash themselves. These collections of books would never be possible with the advent of very affortable self-publishing over the last ten years.

I've not only been able to turn my stories into books (with the help of some of my kids), I've helped other writers do the same. And I've made friends with a growing community of other writers.

And speaking of kids, a quick shout-out: Sarah did the intial formatting and created the original BryonySeries website. Rebekah has long taken over formatting and website design, and she's gotten really good at making Kindles, too. She also made the website and formatted all the books for WriteOn Joliet.

Timothy has taken over the BryonySeries website and is currently building its store.

So the book has turned into more than one book. But all the stories that they tell are really just parts of the same story. And it's so rewarding when these books fall into the hands of readers who absolutely cherish them.

Scoll through the titles and explore. All of the titles are linked to the Amazon pages because the BryonySeries store is not fulling up and running.

Enjoy!


BRYONYSERIES: "DROP OF BLOOD" VAMPIRE TRILOGY

A '70s teen trades her blood with a Victorian vampire for a trip back into time as his wife. She wants romance; he's trying to restore his humanity.

Bryony

Visage

Staked!


BRYONYSERIES: THE ADVENTURES OF CORNELL DYER

For middle grade and up. And younger kids who are strong readers. Co-written-ish with Timothy Baran - who has fifty titles planned and is writing the very last one. Rebekah Baran has one in progress, too.

Cornell Dyer (first introduced in "Visage") is a supernatureal super sleuth who unravels mysteries, untangles myths, and decides what to have for lunch.

Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone

Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness

Cornell Dyer and the Eerie Lake

Cornell Dyer and the Never Robbers

Cornell Dyer and the Flu

Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe (scheduled for publication this spring)

Cornell Dyer and the Old Folks Home

Cornell Dyer and the Miraculous Pot of Coffee (early draft form)


BRYONYSERIES: BERTRAND THE MOUSE

A crocheted version of the red herring in Staked! is having adventures of his home. For young children and the young at heart.

Oh, and he has his own Instagram page.

Bertrand and the Lucky Clover

Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise

Bertrand's First Book of Numbers

Bertrand Gives Back

Bertrand's Silly ABC Book

Bertand Spends the Night

Bertrand's First Book of Adventures

Bertrand's Second Book of Adventures

Bertrand Visits Falls Lake (draft form, have photos)

Bertrand Visits Chicago (draft form, have photos)


BRYONYSERIES: BEFORE THE BLOOD

The prequel to the "drop of blood" trilogy. A slow-paced, historical fiction immersive read into the lives of four key characters and how they gradually ruin their lives.

The novel is available in five installments or in one large volume in tiny font.

John Simons

Kellen Wechsler

Bryony Marseilles

Henry Matthews

Bryony Simons


BRYONYSERIES: LIMBO

A new BryonySeries trilogy that explores what happens when a location and a place stops progressing.

The Phoenix (in editing: scheduled for publication by summer)

Call of the Siren (in draft form: scheduled for publication in 2022)

House at the Top of the Hill (in draft form: scheduled for publication in 2023)


BRYONYSERIES: BY ED CALKINS, STEWARD OF TARA

Ruthless

Denise M. Baran-Unland's Irish Genealogy


BRYONY SERIES: STANDALONES

Lycanthropic Summer

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods (draft form)

The Emporium Orphans (in talks with Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara. We may co-write this one).

Snowbell (short story)


BRYONYSERIES: COOKBOOKS

Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" (all proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties

GRRR: TWleve Pawtastic Werewolf-Themed Recipes by Rebekah Baran

Squeak: Twelve Mouse-Themed Recipes by Rebekah Baran


NON-FICTION

Nine Months of Kindness

Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers (all proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet).


WRITEON JOLIET ANTHOLOGIES

An excerpt of my BryonySeries fiction appears in all of these except the cheetah book. This one was my prompt and I wrote the forward. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet. 

Write Where We Are: 2017

Write Where We Are: 2018

Write Where We Are: 2019

Write Where We Are: 2020

Cheetah Stories



Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony"