Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 22 through Aug. 28 (and Retreat Update)

Story roundup? How can that be? Wasn't I on an at-home writing retreat all week?

Yes - but not all stories post the same day. The ones featured today ran over last week, when I was already mind-deep into the nineteenth century.

Not much has changed from yesterday's retreat update, except that I only have a chapter and a half to finish of an extremely rough draft of The Phoenix, which I really hope I get done today as I have a full list for Saturday and Sunday.

It probably doesn't sound like a lot, but I've been dancing around (i.e. avoiding and skipping over) one particularly troublesome chapter, hoping the muse would kick in eventually (It hasn't).

So...yeah.

Below, you will find all the places I currently hang out on social media.

Below that, are the stories. Pick and choose what interests you. Of course, I hope they all interest you.

Have a great Friday!

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

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.

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

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 with each year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Books and Such

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

Newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

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


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

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


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

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

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.

LocalLit spotlight: 'Whispering Waves:' Poems for Everyday Grace
(Review comes out this Tuesday)

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/locallit-spotlight-whispering-waves-poems-for-everyday-grace/a919u03/


Coronavirus forces Joliet Job Corps to make changes

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/coronavirus-forces-joliet-job-corps-to-make-changes/am7flrl/


Annual mental health event in New Lenox moves online this year

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/annual-mental-health-event-moves-online-this-year/agnhakf/


A quick and easy way to help a Will County senior

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-help-a-will-county-senior/ab735e0/


Elwood students return to school with hybrid learning

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/elwood-students-return-to-school-with-hybrid-learning/dt0dsen/


Pets of the Week: Aug. 24

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/pets-of-the-week-aug-24/dal9hoz/


"Three Joliet area novelists share insights on crime fiction"
Val Bruech, Mike Markley and Sue Merrell discuss their crime novels

(The story is a couple years old, but the insights are the same and the books are still available).

https://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/30/three-joliet-area-novelists-share-insights-on-crime-fiction/adjm263/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 11 through Feb. 16

Well.

It's been a week of celebrations and surprises.

Last night at WriteOn Joliet, one member brought her little granddaughter, who loves to read and write book reports. She has a copy of Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise, of which she report a little report and drew his picture. Needless to say, Bertrand was thrilled! I'll share her work in a post next week.

Tuesday night's Calkins Day event was successful, at least by my standards. THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported Ed: by their presence, their support, and buy books for him to sign. Recap also follows next week.

Victorian fans, here's one you'll like: Another member of WriteOn Joliet presented me with a silver bag (silver for moonlight, prefer to silver to god; how did she know???) full of 19th century "thises and thats." Post and photos next week!

A number of events are coming up in the next couple of months. For details, visit www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Of course, the burning question is whether or not I will be writing fiction tomorrow. The answer is yes, but after and between three other things: dentist appointment, acting lesson, and an interview (with me being interviewed, bit of a role reversal. I'll post a link). Oh and a a few errands...with one of them being coffee, I'm certain.

And now, onward to this week's feature stories and where to find me and other features information.

Non-bylined features:

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

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

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

Social media:

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

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

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

Books and Such

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

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

Celebrating 10 years of hugs and wishes 
Shorewood HUGS 9th annual chocolate ball was 'quite the celebration'

"The attention to detail in the decor was outstanding," Sarah Dilg, projects and events manager at The Herald-News, said. "From the pearls holding the tags on the champagne bottles to the Tiffany boxes and diamonds placed throughout the room. It was absolutely beautiful. Oh, and the chocolate. Of course the chocolate was my favorite part."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/02/09/9910563abcc946b0a6a1b182656c3c8b/index.xml?page=1


Joliet Job Corps students help local nonprofits

For the last several months these students, who are age 16 to 24, are spending two weeks sharing their skills at local nonprofits.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/02/08/joliet-job-corps-students-help-local-nonprofits/altzbq/

An Extraordinary Life: "She just really cared about her students"

“I think the thing that speaks most loudly about Arlyne’s life is the fact that, in death, there are probably thousands of people that are speaking about her influence on their lives,” Brett Margaron of Florida, a former student, said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/02/07/she-just-really-cared-about-her-students/ax2r9bg/

Mystery Diner: Plainfield's Volar Mexican restaurant features quality food and quiet atmosphere

As I looked through the menu, the server brought out chips and a salsa verde along with a cup of what seemed to be fermented salsa with chunky vegetables.

Both were outstanding and got us started right before the main course arrived.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/02/13/02318f973ea64c1da6fc0673f97426d4/index.xml?page=1

Lent: A time for plaster, candles and no complaining

One blogger who posted in Joliet Connect the other day (Joliet Connect is The Herald-News Facebook group) thought she might give up complaining for the next 40 days. The minute I read that, I became acutely aware of how much complaining I actually do.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/02/14/lent-a-time-for-plaster-candles-and-no-complaining/ao7g1ez/

Rediscovering 'the magic of reading'

Month-long reading event spans Joliet area communities

Many libraries hosting events in honor of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. 

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/02/15/289c6aaf877249ae9fc2f0db9a3f0dfa/index.xml

Artwork: Channahon arts center gives kids options

"I believe if you have the desire to learn, you should at least give it a try. It's about dedication and putting in the work," Steev Custer, owner said, about music lessons for kids and adults.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/02/15/0ec025572b934ce3bb17228047a068e1/index.xml

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter.