The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Friday, April 28, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 22 to April 28
Good morning!
Today I have just six features and news stories to share with you today, but I have not been slacking, oh, no!
I have three large pieces to be posted over the weekend, with more to come since I'm working through the weekend. Plus I completed my three last large pieces (for a total of eight) stories for special "Thank You, Teachers" edition that The Herald-News will publish on May 4.
So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Last Saturday WriteOn Joliet presented its first presentation of original readings in a radio-style format at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater. In June, we will record an audio version of that show.
And if you missed it the first time around, you may get another opportunity. I will keep you posted.
Fiction-wise, I have nothing new to report, since last weekend was dedicated completely to the show and then to work and housework on Sunday. Even though I am working through the weekend, I'm hoping to fill downtime by tinkering with some of the books.
Here is a recap so far.
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I have the prologue and first eighteen chapters drafted as well as a couple of chapters near the end.
Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior and cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
Karla Joins In: The fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series. Three chapters are completed and a fourth chapter is in a very rough draft.
BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'd love to have this one ready by the end of the year. Pecking slowly at it.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. A fourth of it is written and edited, another third on top of that is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the 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.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.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.
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.
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, April 27, 2023
WriteOn Joliet Radio Play Wrap-Up
On Saturday night, eight members of WriteOn Joliet did something that's very unusual for a writers group.
For more and a greater variety of photos from the event (courtesy of WriteOn Joliet member Diane Short), visit the WriteOn Joliet Facebook group page at facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Sue's Diner: Lemon Chicken with Caramelized Onions
Today's recipe was a contribution from Alison Peloquin for the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
The recipe is called Lemon Chicken with Caramelized Onions.
Here is a summary of where it appeared in Bryony:
While having lunch at Sue’s Diner during Munsonville’s centennial celebration, Melissa and her friends ordered familiar food: cheeseburgers and French fries. Daring Kimberly Whitney was the exception. She had the day’s special: lemon chicken with caramelized onions.
Try the recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Serenity in the Morning
"Sleeping in" for me is anything past dawn.
If the sun is up before me, I feel as if the day is wasted.
I love an early morning walk in the quiet of the day before the business begins.
But even before the walk...
Monday, April 24, 2023
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Quick Saturday Gratitude: Book and Bean Cafe
This photo was taken at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet in WriteOn Joliet's very last open mic night on Calkins Day 2020 (February 13) before the pandemic shut down the "regular" way to live.
And we hope Tammy Duckworth, the cafe's owner, has room for us again this year.
BTW, the cafe is located inside the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library, which is a community partner of WriteOn Joliet.
But tonight, April 22, at 7 p.m., eight of us members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
Admission is $5.
Performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.
And no, this blog isn't just one last marketing push (although it's that, too).
A portion of the show toward the end will pay tribute to the person who encouraged us to perform this open mics at the Book and Bean, without which, we could never stand on Bicentennial Park's stage and speak our original words into a microphone tonight.
As I said, this will be near the end of the show. So don't worry if you are a few minutes late.
Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.
The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.
For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com
Friday, April 21, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 15 to April 21
Good morning!
Today I have ten features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
I'm also finishing up stories for special "Thank You, Teachers" edition that The Herald-News will publish on May 4. More on this later.
In addition, WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, which you can see here.
And we have a promotional video, which you can see here.
We've held practices every night this week, except for last night due to our regular meeting of WriteOn Joliet at the Joliet Public Library. So if you're in the area, come out and heckle us! (wink).
So have I written anything on the fiction front?
Actually, last weekend was a good weekend for the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill. I have the prologue and first eighteen chapters drafted as well as a couple of chapters near the end.
So between lots of doctor-related trips over the past month and the radio play, I'm rather proud of myself (virtual pat on the back).
I am still in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters.
Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior art and a rough draft of the cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series and have chapter four in a very rough draft.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.
And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover, which is very close to my loosely formed vision for it. So I'm excited about that as well.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the 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.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.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.
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
Dave Mason’s ‘Endangered Species’ tour coming to Joliet theater in May: Tickets are available now
Pets of the Week: April 17, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Quick Thursday Gratitude: Joliet Public Library
In the fall of 2011, when our family was in the midst of a crisis, a young writer named Kristina Skaggs contacted me several times strongly suggesting that we should form a critique group for writers.
Kristina was so persistent that I reluctantly agreed, with the stipulation that I would guide from the background. I never envisioned how much this group would grow or how important it might become to me.
WriteOn Minooka started meeting in February 2012at the old firehouse in Minooka under the Three Rivers Arts council, which was renting the space. When the council lost the space the following year, Kristina found a new space at the Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch and we officially became WriteOn Joliet.
In 2018, WriteOn Joliet became an official partner of the Joliet Public Library. The library gives us space to meet, space in its quarterly program guide, and space on the shelves for our books, which "seeded" its local author collection.
I am so thankful for this partnership for it's been the conduit for many, many writers over the years to bring their words into the world.
WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. Through the years, the group has included professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets from all over the southern suburbs, and even beyond now, since we met virtually during the pandemic and still keep one virtual meeting a month to accommodate remote members.
And, yes, WriteOn Joliet has even welcomed Bertrand the Mouse and his Uncle Barty.
Some of our writers have self-published or have been traditionally published. Others are still exploring their writing options and interests. Regardless of their place in the writing world, WriteOn welcomes everyone looking to write, read and grow, in a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere, where writers can share their work and give and receive constructive feedback, and everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.
But WriteOn Joliet also strives to help writers find readers for their works and this is where we make a difference, I feel.
We help writers find their voice.
We help them improve the crafting of that voice.
We help them through the publishing process.
And then we help them find their audience, even if it's a small audience. I like to say, "If you can conceive it, someone wants to read it."
Locally, people can find those words on the shelves at both branches of the Joliet Public Library.
But wait - there's more!
This Saturday, April 22, at 7 p.m., the Joliet area community can also hear and enjoy some of those local words.
Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
Admission is $5.
Performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.
Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.
The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.
For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Sue's Diner: Easter Candy Cookies
Got leftover Easter candy?
Use it up with this Easter Candy Cookies recipe Rebekah created with Cadbury Mini Eggs, although you could try other candy in this recipe, too.
You won't find this recipe in Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
However, you can find the recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Quick Tuesday Gratitude: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre
Last night we gathered for tech night in preparation for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which WriteOn Joliet will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
Thanks to my niece Rachel, who stepped up as our creative consultant, I know am familiar with terms such as "cue to cue" and "cyc wall" and the technical skills that happen offstage to make even a readers performance come dramatically alive for the audience.
I really wanted to take some rehearsal pictures last night. But even though we didn't run through the readings, I was surprisingly busier than I thought I'd be. I remembered the photos once I returned home.
Bad timing, I know.
But here is a photo of Bertrand the Mouse I took from his perch on the microphone at the sound effect table before "tech night" went into full swing. I really like the quietness of this image before the action begins: the set stage, the authors gathered, the empty seats waiting for patrons to fill them and be entertained.
I've been dimly aware over the years, from writing stories and attending performances at Bicentennial Park, of what a blessing community theater is and what a tremendous resource the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is.
But I've never been more keenly aware of that fact than last night, standing onstage, speaking into the mic, running back and forth from stage to sound booth, that this particular community theater is, at its heart, of the community and by the community for the community.
Tickets for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” are just $5. They are available online and at the door the night of the performance.
Visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
We hope you can make it out to Bicentennial Park this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.
You have Uncle Barty's word for it.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Quick Monday Gratitude: The Book Market in Crest Hill
Local readers and writers already know what a terrific resource The Book Market Sales and Trading Center in Crest Hill is for the community.
Not only is the owner, Janet Staley, friendly to local authors by hosting author signings and carrying locally written books on consignment, she stocks (or can find) a wide variety of new, used, and rare books, so many your mind will spin.
But this year, eight members of WriteOn Joliet discovered just how deeply Janet Staley's commitment to locally written words runs.
Starting in January, Janet opened her space after-hours for we eight to rehearsed for a “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which we will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
For tickets (just $5) and more information about Saturday's, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
Below are half a dozen photos from one rehearsal that feature Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Duanne Walton...and me!
Actually, Timothy's girlfriend Jasmine stood in for Steve Cordin in some of these photos since he was running late from work.
And my niece Rachel Veres (purple jacket), who has a theater background, drove more than an hour away, one way, to guide us into a better performance.
While we rehearsed, Janet worked on inventory.
We hope you can make it out to the theater this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Friday, April 14, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 8 to April 14
Good morning!
Today I have eleven features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
In addition to dealing with a new health issue (two doctors visits, one ER trip and one quick care visit over the last couple weeks), I've also been working on stories for a new edition The Herald-News will begin in March and a new "Thank You, Teachers" edition in May.
In additioin, WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet.
And now we are officially on Bicentennial Park's calendar, which you can see here.
And we have a promotional video, which you can see here.
So, as you can imagine, fiction projects are limping along. But they are progressing.
So far, I've completed rough drafts for the prologue and first sixteen chapters of the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another chapter drafted this weekend.
I am in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters.
Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior art and a rough draft of the cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.
And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. But that's all I'm sharing about it for now.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the 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.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.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.
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
Joliet’s Visitation and Aid to hold spring brunch on May 7: Tickets are available now
Travis Tritt to perform at the Rialto in Joliet in August" Tickets are available now
Pets of the Week: April 10, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, April 13, 2023
New Diagnosis
I lived the most boring life ever as a child - or, at least, that was my perspective.
Anything that was interesting or unusual happened to "other people." Not us.
But somewhere along the way, our family started to "collect" a variety of health issues, many of which are unknown to others.
Last night one of my sons said we seem to have every weird thing from A-Z. Made me laugh.
Seriously, off the top of my head we've dealt with (or are currently dealing with) in our immediate biological family the following: pheochromocytoma, polycythemia, idiopathic thrombocythemia, Steven-Johnson syndrome, chronic urticaria, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Hashimoto's, POTS, hyperhidrosis - and that's before the "normal" diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, gall bladder surgeries, hypothyroidism, etc.
All but one of the above have appeared in either me, my children, or both. Oh, and there may be asymptomatic multiple sclerosis hanging around that will beg for attention some day. But that day is not today.
Seriously, someone should look at us under a microscope. And chastise whoever is leaving the unicorn feed at our door.
Because now now we can add another to our virtual shelf of oddities: hidradenitis suppurativa, an insidious inflammation and infection of sweat glands that can be unpredictably progressive with no therapies that consistently work. Oh, and it comes with a higher risk of half a dozen cancers, its way of bringing a housewarming gift, I suppose.
Now we can't go as far as to welcome HS into our midst. In fact, it's going to find we'll do its best to make it feel as unwelcome as possible.
But it will certainly feel right at home among its new friends.
The diagnosis came as no surprise.
But I'm thankful for lots of reasons.
One, the latest flare looks healed with no scarring.
Two, I have a clear treatment plan until the the HS outsmarts it, which may never happen.
Three, I have terrific providers.
Four, the news came on Holy Wednesday in the Orthodox church, which is dedicated to healing.
Coincidence? God's timing? You decide.
And have a beautiful and blessed day!
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Sue's Diner: Haluski
This week my mind is partly on all foods Easter European since we are Eastern Orthodox and this is our Holy Week - and because my children are half Ukrainian and I am half Bohemian.
This week's recipe was submitted by Amerika Adamowski for the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
I've tasted (and prepared) many variations of this recipe over the years. Some substitute cabbage for the potatoes. Others use mash the potatoes and use elbow macaroni.
You can try Amerika's recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Crazy Camera Lady
So the berries on these bare branches caught my eye outside a particular nursing home, after I stepped outside when paying a visit to a resident.
I thought a photo of this would make a nice addition to my collection of teaser photos for the BryonySeries novel Lycanthropic Summer.
What you can't see, and what I didn't realize at the time, was that someone else was also taking a photo.
Keep scrolling...
Yep!
You see, while I'm amassing a collection of photos for BryonySeries social media postings, my family is amassing their own collection of photos, of me, taking photos.
This also started years ago when Timothy found me crouched near a large garden rock on a busy sidewalk snapping a photo of Bertrand the Mouse.
He snapped a photo of me and sent it round to the family. Kids! Sheesh!
Timothy also caught this one of me taking photos of Bertrand the Mouse and his Uncle Barty at Three Stories Books in Lemont.
Timothy also caught this one of me a few Christmases ago. We were out running errands, and I liked the view. So we parked and walked over.
These are the only ones I could find in the moment.
But you get the idea...
Monday, April 10, 2023
The Power and Magic of Voice
People bemoan the decline in reading and blame technological entertainment in its many forms for that decline..
This post isn't meant to offer an opinion on that statement, other than to marvel at all the opportunities we have for entertainment.
Think about it.
We have literature, movies, live theater, podcasts video games, music - the list can go on. We really have no reason to ever be bored.
Speaking of music (and life would suck without music) we often forget that the human voice is an instrument...of sorts.
You see, knowing how to "play" the voice can make the difference between a so-so author reading and one that leaves folks scarcely breathing in awe.
Just like many of us are not taught to play piano or trombone, many of us never learn to play our voice.
(And yet, I used to tell the kids back in our home-school days that reading aloud, when we all used to real aloud together, is good, cheap drama_.
Again, think about it.
Words are made from combinations of twenty-six letters.
Music is made from combinations of an twelve-note scale (or less, depending on the scale).
Radio theater is made with good voice modulation, such as:
Emphases.
Pauses.
High pitch
Low pitch.
Slow pace.
Fast pace.
Knowing how and when and where and why to apply any and some of these in a piece requires coaching, discerning, and practicing.
Lots of practicing.
Like the type of practicing WriteOn Joliet member Holly Coop (center) has done with my niece Rachel, who is serving as a creative consultant for An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You, which eight members of WriteOn will perform on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
Up until the pandemic, WriteOn Joliet hosted an open mic event a couple times of year at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet, located inside the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.
Basically, participating members stood in front of a microphone in the cafe and read an original piece that was from three to five minutes long.
We are still reading our pieces on April 22.
But in most cases, we are not reading our own pieces.
And in some cases, several people are reading different parts in pieces they did not write.
One of the pieces Holly is reading is a poem written by Maureen Blevins (who is standing beside Holly in the below photo).
I knew this poem was right for Holly's voice.
But when she read it aloud for the first time at The Book Market in Crest Hill, where we've been rehearsing after hours, I almost fell out of my chair at Holly's delivery of Maureen's lines.
Holly had learned to "play voice."
Writers wield a bit of magic when they can make readers think, or when they can persuade readers toward one side of a premise, or cause them to fall in love with characters, or to travel to faraway lands, or to allow the musical lines in a poem stir their emotions.
Amazing.
All this magic is accomplished with just the careful arrangement of twenty-six letters on a page.
Those reading aloud do the same.
Except they take the page and wield the above magic through the controlled inflections of their voice.
Again, amazing...
