Coffee Blessing

Last Friday was really hard.

I woke up at 3:45 a.m. for the 5amwritersclub meeting (which begins at 4 a.m. for me due to my geographical location in the world).

Now that's not a superhuman feat, but the last few weeks have been uncommonly grueling for multiple, unrelated reasons.

So, you know, life - and plenty back-to-back of it.

On Thursday, our Keurig broke. So on Thursday night, I walked next door to Timothy's house and made a cup of coffee to get me through the meeting. He sent it home in a gray carryout cup instead of the coffee mug I brought for a less messy transport.

Mid-morning on Friday I went back over and made a second cup in the St. Dennis cup. This cup was a "thank you" gift from the elementary school in Lockport for participating in its career fair a couple of pre-COVID years ago, so it has good memories for me.

Then Rebekah surprised me with the Dunkin' (she had ordered tea for herself and more coffee for me).

And then Jasmine stopped at the house after lunch with the Gloria Jean.

Yes, I drank them up and in.

I drank up the coffee.

I drank in the love and support.

When is coffee not just coffee?

Well, now you know.

I Went to Give Support...

 ...and left feeling empowered.

I'm talking about two back-to-back events last Saturday.

First was the wake of Nancy Calkins' sister, who died rather suddenly following a challenging illness. Nancy's sister Harriet was also the sister-in-law of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

Nancy had texted me all of the service information, along with some photos. Ed was not aware Nancy did this, so he was very surprised and thoroughly delighted to see Timothy and me at the funeral home.

Then to my surprise, a humbly sort of surprise I really cannot describe, Ed told me every person in the room knew who I was, even though they would not recognize me on sight.

Ed then proceeded to introduce me to a few key people as "his publisher."

His publisher. 

I'm still trying to let that one sink in.

True, I publish my fiction and now his fiction (here and here), but I don't see myself as his publisher. But I'm really honored that he values my small role in helping to share his stories, which are hilarious.

Then shortly after I returned home, I attended a virtual reunion for people who attended the #5amwritersclub weekend writer's retreat this past year.

Most of the people on the call attended the September retreat (I was at the April event), but it was nice to meet some other talented writers who are part of this amazing group.

One of the writers from the April retreat called us all "scribes" - which sounds way cooler than "writer."

Although Twitter group has a bit of a history, author Ralph Walker really seized the reins and developed it during the pandemic. He also has plans for further expansion in 2022, and I'm super excited. I'm blessed to have discovered this group and look forward to growing my skills and circle of writer friends.

If you're a writer and want more information, email him at RWalker12813@gmail.com and please let him know I sent you.

On Fire

I always like to think that nothing bad can happen in life without a corresponding outpouring of good.

At any rate, that appears to be the case over the past few days.

For instance:

Rebekah received her second COVID shot on Thursday and had the most robust reaction of all of us: arm felt "on fire," fever, etc., forcing her to pamper herself and rest. 

She also read through (and approved) Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, a book she started years ago, and where I recently expanded the draft. 

Rebekah has been super busy covering other people at work (July appears to be peak time for vacations at her company), so it's left her little free time. This weekend, she had an abundance of it.

She's still under the weather, so please think some "all better" thoughts for her.

I have a knee injury (long story here), so I spent a good part of the weekend with my leg elevated and wearing ice packs.

This left me plenty of time to get some writing work done on all fronts: a couple of big features projects, outling the new Girls of the BryonySeries series, two character questionnaires for Call of the Siren, and rereading and editing some of the previously written passages in "Siren."

Timothy, who's been enormously busy at work, scheduled a breakfast meeting for 6 a.m. next Saturday and a nearby restaurant (my first restaurant outing since COVID), to work on Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones.

Our busy work schedules have kept bouncing this project, but we are both "on fire" to getting it done. So we'll (hopefully) get ahead of any weekend "surprises" by making it the first item of the day.

And, yes, we are still in the process of packing up TWO townhomes to move into two other townhomes in two weeks.

Finally - and here's the one that's most important.

I belong to an online writer's group called the 5amwritersclub.

Yesterday I received an email from the organizar, which was sent out to all members. This is what the email said:

Hey Folks,

I don't usually do this, but one of our members has had a personal catastrophe and could use some extra support. Tonya, has been a stalwart member of #5amwritersclub for over a year and unfortunately had a fire that destroyed her home. Luckily no one was hurt, but she has lost everything. I spoke with her earlier and she is working on getting back on her feet, but could use some help. She has set up a Go Fund Me page. If you are in a position to help, please take a look here.

Unfortunately, that member does not live in The Herald-News readership area, so I am unable to write a story to help raise support.

Fortunately, my blog goes everywhere (although certainly the level of readership can't even toucj that of a daily newspaper).

Anything that's happened to us (COVID shot response, knee issue, scheduling conflicts, having to pack up one's belongings to move to another place) can't even compare to the catastrophe of losing all those belongings and one's home in a fire.

But perhaps the support of strangers can warm this member's heart in ways even a fire can't touch.

If you can send a few dollars her way, that would be wonderful. Here is the GoFundMe link: gofund.me/811b267b.

And if you cannot help in this way, please send up a few prayers, good thoughts, etc.

This person and her family will need them for a long, long time.

I'm a Terrible Social Media Friend

By "social media friend" I mean I'm fairly absent on social media for most of the day in terms of chatting and commenting and posting clever/witty/meaningful posts.

That's not to say I'm completely absent on social media.

Now if you go to my Twitter feeds, you'll see my Herald-News stories at @Denise_Unland61 and BryonySeries-related information at @BryonySeries - although I occasionally mix and match those posts.

On the first feed, I post a Bible verse (to show who I am as a person) and the other I post a picture of coffee on mouspad (to show who I am as a writer)

But these are for people who want to see this information and I take the time every day to ensure it's there. 

That's not you? Keep scrolling.

I'm probably even more absent on Facebook. I keep my BryonySeries page active and post a Bible verse and my blog, share a virtual cup of coffee early in the morning, and send birthday wishes to connections.

Now I do check into social media intermittently during the day. But I'm mostly absent. For these reasons, I'm a terribble social media friend.

So what am I doing instead of hanging out on social media?

Well, I'm writing. And writing takes time. LOTS of time.

I'm also editing, and I'm also trying to improve my craft. That, too, takes time.

I write feature stories to share information and inspiration to the local community. That's my full-time job.

I write fiction to entertain a very different set of readers. That's my weekend project project.

I engage with my family: in person, over the phone, via text, a little over social media.

I engage with friends, co-workers, and the community, mostly over the phone and via text, but (hopefully) more in person after the second COVID-19 shot.

Well, since I'm a writer, should I be supporting local writers?

I try.

I engage a little on Twitter. I co-lead a writer's group with Tom Hernandez and I attend as many Zoom meetings of the 5 a.m.writer's club as I can possible make (since I'm CST and those meetings are at 4 a.m.).

I share interesting/informative industry/craft articles as I encounter them.

But I also read their books, which is a lot different than simply buying their books. Sometimes I review them in a newlsetter I started for The Herald-News a few years ago to help promote other authors. That's my way of giving support.

And a careful reading of a book takes time - as does a review. 

Actually reading what a writer has written and then sharing my thoughts with others takes way more time than a social media post. Both have value, don't get me wrong. 

But I hope, at the end of the day, other writers are happier I read their words than Tweeted them back and forth all day long.

And don't even get me started on Instagram, which has several years of posts from Bertrand the Mouse.

But not lately. Because he's lost.

And until he's found or reincarnated, he really can't post anymore pictures or comment on anyone's feed, can he?

So although I'm a terrible social media friend, I do try to be a good friend. And I really amy trying to improve my social media engagment.

And if I'm slow to responding, please know I always do (unless a post really gets buried), and that I will reply soon.

Writing Retreat Recap: Unforgettable Journey with Incredible Characters

A few weekends ago, I actually took a "real" writers retreat.

By this, I mean a retreat that I did not structure and one that included other writers - as opposed to my one-person, at-home writing retreats that I have taken in the past.

This was also a retreat that I paid to attend. When I participate in a "just me" at-home writing retreat, I don't charge myself - although I do draw up goals and task myself with attaining them. I just don't plunk down any cash. I don't even treat myself to coffee that's not already in the cabinet.

Anyway, I wanted to take a week or so to distance myself from the retreat, reflect on the experiences, and then share my thoughts in this blog.

For background on the retreat and why I signed up, read this post.

Note: Ralph Walker, our retreat master, is hoping to offer this retreat to other grouips. For that reason, I will be vague on the particulars.

But I will say we worked on characterization and plotting. 

Also, ee all had to be currently working on a novel. For me, that was Call of the Siren, the second novel in the new BryonySeries trilogy Limbo.

OK, here are my thoughts.

1) The retreat master was highly organized and invested into making this a fun and informative experience.

The weeks leading up to the retreat consisted of prompts and a few pieces of "homework" that needed to be completed in advance. This wasn't drudgery. It was more like passing the appetizer tray in the waiting room.

Ralph also asked us for our goals, so he could build the retreat around us being able to meet them. 

And he did not bite off more than he could manage. He capped the retreat at twenty or so and left it there. So if you wanted in, you had to commit in advance.

The price was reasonable for two days (Friday night into late Sunday afternon): around the $120 mark.

A week or so before the rereat, we received a box with the a large binder with all the Zoom links, topics, discussion questions, additional resources for characterization and plotting, index cards, graph paper, and quite a few DO NOT OPEN envelopes.

The box also contained a variety of swag: stickers, beads, candy, coffee, tea, coffee mug, all of which delighted Rebekah, who likes suprise boxes.

But even Rebekah respected the sanctity of the marked envelopes.

2) It was fun.

By "fun," I mean Ralph had the event so well-structiured I forgot I was on Zoom.

On Friday night, we met as one large group - and we did the same on Saturday night and at the closing. It was a mixture of information, sharing, and very casual networking. 

Alcohol was allowed Saturday night.

Except for me. Because I can't drink alcohol with the medication I take.

But I had so much fun, the dark roast coffee sufficed.

This sounds bland on paper (computer), ugh.

But we joked, laughed, did silly exercises to break the weird ice of  introverted writing strangers meeting other introverted writing strangers on Zoom.

It worked.

We got loud. We got animated.

We really, really, really had lots of fun.

3) I met some really awesome writers.

On Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon, we'd meet in "homeroom" and then Ralph broke us into small groups.

We worked on exercises and applied various techniques to our writing.

We opened the mysterious envelopes and answered questions and pop prompts that put us on the spot and challenged us and stretched out abilities - and we did all this together.

We shared elements of our work and gave feedback on the work of others.

We exchanged emails and Twitter handles. (Note to self: I now need to be better at being more present on social media. So - I have some work to do).

4) I relearned some things.

I don't know everything there is to know about writing. But I do know a lot because I have studied craft and dilligently worked on my craft.

But before I sound like a Miss Smartypants, I also must stress that no writer can call up every technique at every time and apply it at the right time to every writing situation.

Also, hearing a certain tip in a new way forces writers to look at their work with fresh perspectives.

And this is what happened to me.

In random bursts, we were instructed to do "this" or "that" to our writing in terms of characters or plots. 

Now sometimes I had just written a scene that accomplished the goal.

But most of the time, I could apply the instruction somewhere else.

So before I "wrote off" the prompt, I examined my outline to see where the current instruction might fit.

This resulted in the creation of new scenes and the shifting of others as a result of Ralph's prompting. 

And it gets better than that.

Since the retreat, some of these prompts will pop up in my head. My mind then immediately asks, "Where can I apply this?" 

As a result, I've added even more new scenes and expanded still others in ways that really impact the structure of Call of the Siren in very satisying ways.

Side note: As Ralph walked us through one very simple plotting technique, I kept thinking, "I wish other members of WriteOn Joliet were here." No lie. 

Perhaps it's because I have read an impossible number of fiction in my life, I have an almost instinctive feel for structure. But "instinct" doens't go very far when a writer is looking for concrete direction.

I now know one way.

5) The Finale

Just before the retreat ended, we had one last DO NOT OPEN envelope to open. I won't tell you what it was.

But I will tell you, it was anything but random. And that was the one moment where I nearly cried.

Now any writer reading this blog post that attended this retreat might think that I blundered on the name of the retreat when I titled this recap blog post.

The name of the retreat was "Unforgettable Characters and Incredible Journeys." And the retreat delivered it.

But, for me, the retreat itself really was an "unforgettable journey with incredible characters."

Because I really did embark upon an unforgettable journey with some incredible characters - Ralph and the other writers who shared their works, their thoughts, their very valuable time, and some honest vulerability in order to perfect the common thread that tied us all together.

The telling of really good stories.

The "Stowaway" on this Weekend's Writing Retreat

This morning is super busy since I went straight from work on Friday into the 5am writers club retreat, hosted by Ralph Walker.

So a full retreat recap won't be today, since I want some time to reflect and then write a thoughtful piece. 

But I will share this.

When Ralph opened the retreat on Friday night, he emphasized that the next few days would  be a safe place, where all the writers (and he made certain everyone realized they were indeed writers, no matter where they were on their writing journeys) coud be free to be fully creative.

At that point, I wondered if I should introduce everyone to Bertrand, the only attendee who didn't pay.

Although Bertrand is not technically a writer in his own "write," he does have his own line of books, and he does want kids to love reading.

And since he and I hang out quite a bit, it was natural that he would hang out on this retreat. But the right time to mention the "elephant" in the room (well, crocheted mouse) never appeared, so I let Bertrand just absorb the wonderful weekend and hang out.

Plus, he was enjoying his dinner and the opening remarks, and it's impolite to pick up a crocheted mouse when he's pretending to eat just to show him off to all your new writing comrades.

But he did enjoy all of the fun exercises that Ralph had some mysteriously tucked inside the "Do Not Open" envelopes in the program binder he had sent all of us.

In fact, Bertrand had so much fun...

...he was extremely sad to see the weekend go...

What Bertrand doesn't yet realize, although I hope he will in the days to come, is that the end of the retreat was the beginning.

It was the beginning of new ways to assess our writing.

It was the beginning of new books to discover, for most, if not all, of these writers have published books.

And, most importantly, the retreat was the beginning of new connections that, hopefully, only continue to grow and strengthen as we support each other on our writing journeys.

I'm forever thankful for Ralph's invitation to join the group and his acceptance of me into the retreat.

Follow Bertrand the Mouse at bertrand_bryonyseries on Instagram.

Still on Retreat

I am one of just twenty writers from all over the United States (and Canada) participating in a virtual writing retreat, hosted by Ralph Walker of the #5amwritersclub.

I will recap this retreat next week when I have more time.as I'm dashing into a sessioin.

But I will say that I am having a wonderful time. I have also learned some valuable information to bring back to the writers at WriteOn Joliet.

The feedback has been terrific.

Oh, and Bertrand the Mouse is having a great time, too. 

And I didn't even have to pay for his spot.

On Retreat This Weekend

More specifically, I'm on a writing retreat this weekend.

Ralph Walker of the 5amwritersgroup on Twitter creater an entire program for Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday - and then opened it up to the first twenty writers that signed up. 

Yes, it's on Zoom (Did the photo fool you)? But the twenty of us are sitting in our homes all over the United States, and two of us are in Canada.

I'll share a recap early in the week.

In the meantime, I'll be working hard to make my words the best they can be.

The photo is my view from the plane from on the way to Raleigh to visit Sarah in 2017.

Here's hoping my muse soars to great heights these next few days, too.

"Unforgettable Characters and Incredible Journeys" (and one bonus)

As some of you know, I am the co-leader of a critique group that began in 2012: WriteOn Joliet. 

It's a very laid-back, friendly group where members and guests meet twice a month to share pieces of their writings in order to get feedback from other writers. 

The group has hosted guest speakers, produced an annual anthology, and provided some marketing to its members, too.

To help encourage the process, co-founder Kristina Skaggs began suggesting optional writing prompts or "assignments" that people could tackle that month.

When Kristina moved on (parenting, nursing school), another member, Tom Hernandez, stepped up to co-lead with me and serve as the main "voice" of each meeting. A couple years ago, he began adding some flash fiction nights.

In all cases, I have used the assignments, prompts, and flash fiction as inspiration for the BryonySeries, since, between features writing/editing for my day job and writing a fictional series the rest of the time, I had no time and little inclination to shoulder another writing project.

But I could use those opportunities from WriteOn Joliet to strengthen my writing-in-progress. Because I'm one of the writers, too, not just the leader.

Then in 2018, plane fare jumped, and it wasn't in out best financial interests for Rebekah and me to fly to Raleigh to spend a week with Sarah and her family. So I used some of my vacation time to take two  at-home writing retreats, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

In fact, I enjoyed them so much, I really missed not having that same opportunity in 2019 and decided to try and schedule one in 2020.

Well, a pandemic hit in 2020, and I took two more. And I also became involved with a side group from the Twitter group that goes by the name of #5amwritersclub.

This group began meeting on Zoom during the pandemic with an open invitation for other writers to join. The group hosted a virtual holiday party in December and it's hosting its first virtual writing retreat at the end of this month called "Unforgettable Characters and Incredible Journeys."

Yes, I signed up. I'm working on a the second novel of the BryonySeries Limbo series (Call of the Siren) and felt this was a good opportunity to learn from other writers and gain fresh perspective in the writing journey.

What makes this group different from WriteOn Joliet is that most, if not all of these writers, either have literary agents and/or are published traditionally - or are striving toward landing an agent and traditional contract. 

I may actually be the only current journalist in the group and the only one who has self-published by choice. 

To keep the feel of an in-person treat, the coordinator and host, Ralph Walker, even sent swag.

I was deep into deadlines when the box arrived. Rebekah called up to me, saying an order arrived for me. I called back, saying that I hadn't ordered anything.

So Rebekah, who likes mystery boxes (she orders them from time to time - makeup boxes, Japanese snacks, etc.) asked if she could open it. Of course!

She had all the items laid out for me to see when I finally had a break and excitedly showed me each component.

Ralph had written (and copywritten) the entire instruction manual for our weekend. He sent snacks, coffee, tea, a few fun items, envelopes we're not to open yet, etc.

Timothy, whose photography skills are better than mine, took some nice pictures for social media. 

But he forgot the most important item of all (photo mine) - the coffee mug!

Having written and coordinated retreats when I led a Sunday School and youth group at St. Nicholas for many years (and even taught two of its grades), I'm more than well aware of the time that goes into such a feat - and sooooooo appreciative Ralph took on this work for the sole desire of helping other writers grow.

Now here's the bonus Here is one of the pieces that came from one of Tom's flash fiction nights. It's from Lycanthropic Summer, a standalone BryonySeries novel about a teen girl in the early 1960s who's had one life goal: to write the world's greatest werewolf love story before she turns eighteen - and that date is imminent.

Then novel is part diary (addressed to a pretend friend named Maggie) and part manuscript. And the main character, Caryn Rochelle, shares some of her short werewolf stories in her diary, too.

This is one that came from a flash fiction prompt. We had a to write about a man named Lionel who is stting in a bar.

Enjoy!

Dear Maggie,

So when I say Aunt Silly sells her jewelry everywhere, I mean everywhere.

And last night we actually went into a place called, get this original name, Pelican Bar.

It really ought to be called Surf Your Turf.

It’s the place where are all the tourist men ditch their tourist wives for a while.

It’s not the first time we went into this bar. But it’s the first time I’m telling you about Lionel.

Lionel looks like he used to be really hot. But now he looks like charred meat that people forgot to take off the grill because they were too drunk. You know, when you get back up in the morning and stagger over to the grill and there it is, a wizened lump, all that’s left of a twenty-two dollar cut.

That’s Lionel.

Anyway, he sits there every day, looking like he’s about to cry and hoping that his  wife has left enough on his bank card that he can pick up someone else’s wife and bring her back before either spouse finds out.

But what if…

What if, Maggie, he forgets to pick someone up?

What if he just sits there drinking and moping that he can’t get anyone because his card is maxed out?

What if he sits there until the sun – and his pecker – goes down and the moon goes up?

And then what if a very sexy hairy woman walks into the bar and sits right down beside him.

Lionel, of course, does a double take. He’s never seen a woman so hairy. And so beautiful. And then he remembered his friend Joe, before he died, had set up a blind date.

For him. For tonight.

And she smiles at him.

With blood on her teeth and human flesh on her lips, she smiles at him.

And Lionel, uncertain what to think, bangs the side of his head a couple of times, glances down at his near empty drink, and then thinks, “Oh, what the heck.”

Lionel turns back to her and smiles. “Drink?”

The hairy sexy lady shakes her head. She places her paw on his thigh and nods her head to the door.

Lionel leaves his drink and follows her out the door.

All you can hear all night are loud howls. The loudest howls anyone ever heard from a human or werewolf.

The next day, Lionel is back at the bar. His clothes are torn; his face is scratched; and one eye is swollen shut.

But he is grinning.

The "Other" Writers Group

One of the goals my WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez and I set for last year was to be more "ecumenical" - in other words, to pop into a couple other local writers groups at least once.

Of course, when we set that goal, we had no idea what would transpire in 2020.

Neverthless, I did make one Zoom meeting of the writers group in New Lenox (and the leader's been so kind in patiently inviting me).

And I've also found some writing fellowship with a group called the 5 A.M. Writers Club on Twitter. (#5amwritersclub).

I stumbled upon this one quite by accident.

Some of my followers on my BryonySeries Twitter account are other authors. And as we talked, I discovered this group. A few of these members lived on the east coast and had met in person a few times before COVID hit. So they moved to Zoom and opened the meetings up to whoever wanted to join them.

I was one of them.

The whole purpose of the group is to write for an hour every day, starting at 5 a.m., before the rest of your responsiblities begins. Everyone doesn't make this every day; life happens. And people make it at different times of the day, depending when 5 a.m. occurs in their part of the world.

The only time this becomes a bit rough for me is every three weeks. That's when we meet on a Friday over Zoom. Because their 5 a.m. is my 4 a.m. and that meet often comes right on the heels of WriteOn Joliet's meeting the previous evening - and Friday's are very full for me anyway.

So I often check in late - and in the case of this past Friday when I was dealing with a new, temporary medication that made me tired - not at all.

But the group has brought new connections and new opportunities.

We had a holiday party over Zoom between Christmas and new year. We're having a virtual writing retreat at the end of next month (just got my schedule yesterday - I'm super stoked!), and I'm co-leading a meeting on self-publishing in August as I may be the only author in this group that self-publishes. The others have traditional contracts with traditional publishers or they are in the querying stages.

Yes, 2020 was definitely a challenging year filled with tragedies for far, far too many people.

But there's something remarkable about the human spirit that just doesn't allow tragedy to get the final word.

And even among last year's horribleness, tiny green shoots of hope and new life are edging their way out.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

When You're NOT in Hot Water (and really want to be there)

After a really engaging three hours last night at the 5amwritersclub Virtual Holiday Cocktail Party, we (my family) wound up with a hot water emergency - at midnight!

Clue number one: When you jump into the shower with the settings just right (because you have turned those knobs exactly the same way thousands of times) and the water pelts you like sleet.

So it's definitely a late rising today - although it was so dark outside, it certainly didn't feel like it.

Fortunately, I'm off work until 2021, so a slow, slightly groggy day isn't impeding anything except a fluid list of personal projects I'm hoping to cross off my to-do list before I cross into the new year.

If you haven't checked it out (yes, I'm back with it), I'm running a special holiday promotion on BryonySeries books to help give back to a local independent bookstore that has supported local authors for decades and partnered with WriteOn Joliet for the last few years.

For details, visit bryonyseries.com/promotions.

For the reason why I decided to offer it (which has little to do with capitalizing on the holidays), read this post.

And if you're not certain you wish to participate and want to browse excerpts from my fiction, go here.

And have a wonderful Monday! :)

Photo by Timothy Baran