WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Mauverneen Blevins

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

Mauverneen is the author of "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

Mauverneen also created these beautiful individual radio-player cards I will be posting.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks 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.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

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 mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

WriteOn Joliet At Kidz Fest on August 3, 2024: A Recap

WriteOn Joliet participated in its very first Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet on Saturday and our booth did extremely well.

We gave away nearly ninety locally authored books for children and adults. All but five books were gone by 11:40 a.m. And the last book left our table at 12:10 p.m., three hours before the event ended.

Colleen Robbins and Dale Hansen did a terrific job of pairing people's interests with just the right books to take home. And people were excited to take home books.

We also gave away approximately one hundred bookmarks people could color at home.

We distributed eighty-five special subscription offers to The Herald-News in Joliet.

We gave away word finds and crossword puzzles based on some of the books.

And our word blocks were hugely successful, especially after the books disappeared. Kids and adults enjoyed manipulating our 48 double-sided blocks (so 96 words in all) to create fun sentences and simple short stories.

Two parents asked where we bought them. Well, we didn't buy them. We invented them!

Four of the five volunteers wore their WriteOn Joliet T-shirts that Jasmine made for us prior to the event. We had an extra shirt (because I'd made a mistake in sizing) and quite a few people wanted to buy it.

We actually did finally sell it. And for those interested in shirts, we did direct them to The Book Market in Crest Hill, where the BryonySeries is also selling hand-dyed tie dyed shirts.

But seriously.

You just can't miss the jubilance in Mauverneen Blevins' face (last photo on this post) after the last book found its happy home.

This was totally worth the five hours of hanging out in one hundred degree heat with one hundred degree humidity. 

Well, maybe Rebekah, who helped the entire five hours, didn't think so. But I did treat her to ice cream afterwards. So that helped.

Sooooooo looking forward to next year!

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Mauverneen Blevins

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2024 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Nine members of WriteOn Joliet will present “Fragments of Time," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

Mauverneen is the author of "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

Mauverneen also created these beautiful individual radio-player cards I will be posting.

The other authors and performers on April 19 and April 20 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Rachel Veres.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks 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 mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

WriteOn Joliet Gets Carded (Again)

Last year, eight members of WriteOn Joliet "got carded," thanks to some wonderful little cards Maureen Blevins created to to promote each performer in WriteOn Joliet's radio play.

And Maureen has done it again.

Maureen has created promo cards for all nine performers (Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton) in “Fragments of Time,” an original radio theater production by WriteOn Joliet.

And Maureen also created a card for our director Rachel Veres.

I'll feature each card on this blog in the days and weeks leading up to our show. You will learn a about each writer/performer, enjoy a "teaser" line, and be directed where to out more.

WriteOn Joliet will present "Fragments of Time" on April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet.

Nine members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of time in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

Admission is $5.

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 and 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/ bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets. We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet PublicLibrary and The Book Market in Crest Hill.

 For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Calkins Day 2023: A Limerick for Ed Calkins

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...

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Maureen Blevins

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.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

She recently published "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks 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 mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

Four Bloggers You Should Check Out Now

Four of my writerly comrades blog on a regular basis - so I check out their blogs on a regular basis.

The styles are very different, ranging from inspirational to slice of life.

The authors' names are Mauverneen (Maureen Blevins), Holly Coop, Ken McGee, and Sue Merrell. 

Here are a few snippets from some blogs that I've read and enjoyed. Please check them out.

"I had the privilege of having grandparents who lived on The Farm. Not just a farm, but The Farm. I’ll tell you why."

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-farm-2/

"The shortest month of the year. That means just a little bit less winter."

https://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2021/02/positively-february.html

"Dang Those Miserable Masks" by Sue Merrell

https://www.suemerrellbooks.com/2020/09/16/dang-those-miserable-masks/

Since our normal has now become – well, what it has become, with this COVID, I want anything but normalcy in twenty twenty-one.

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/normalcy/

The principles of those terms may become a necessity, for surviving our current reality.

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/nowadays/

There is no dimension

Nowhere in time or space

That we can ever be hidden

From the light of Your saving grace

So thank you for the sunshine, even when our skies are gray

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/worship-and-praise/

A new year wakes as we embark on a new age

Embrace a new concept to live a new way

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/11/moon-wink/

"Practice Trolley Riding" 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/13/practice-trolley-riding/

By taking just a couple minutes more, you can care for yourself just a bit more

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/15/snack-break/

"It's white, and it's wondrous, and, except for the crunching of my boots on the snow,  it's silent."

http://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2021/01/positively-frosted.html

"Notions, Yearnings and Choices" 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/18/notions-yearnings-and-choices/

"Labels" 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/20/labels/

If you think going fast down a mountain in a car is terrifying, try it on a racing bike with skinny tires at speeds approaching sixty miles an hour with the wind blasting your face and bugs splattering your sunglasses.

https://kennethleemcgee.com/adventures-in-cycling-part-1/

"Road Blocks" 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/24/road-blocks/

"Let Go Your Ego" 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2021/01/29/let-go-your-ego/

"The Junior Class Carnival (and Other Important High School Activities)"

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-junior-class-carnival-and-other-important-high-school-activities/

Pictured are Kenneth Lee McGee (left) Mauverneen (Maureen) Blevins (top), Sue Merrell, (bottom), and Holly Coop.

It's Not All About Me: Links to Other Blogs I've Read Lately

I think no blog about me and my writings is complete without sharing some of the other blogs that I follow on a regular basis.

First and foremost are the blogs of members of WriteOn Joliet. Here are a few I've read recently.

These are not the only blogs I follow, and I plan to be better about saving (and then sharing) links to other writings I've enjoyed, too.

Happy reading! :)

Good tips for effective participation in writing critique groups from a member of WriteOnJoliet and other groups.

http://www.writingandtheprocess.com/2020/07/writing-workshop-contributions.html?fbclid=IwAR17kM491ssiCrwBPAjAKZhJlhNZNphopUh_z_WFsTrwRcXHqaRmJ1z9zZY


A blog about the value of relationships by Allison Rios 

"Feeling wanted is something people need in a relationship. I know I do."

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/08/i-want-all-of-you.html?amp=1

"Good Vibrations" 

By Holly Coop 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2020/08/24/good-vibrations/?fbclid=IwAR2AnxFgqoHwL3R0FGsTxXRhKs8p-IrxNJwte9H_lRjAktsxMe1fkZr00-c

"Smile" 

By R. Michael Markley

https://rmichaelmarkley.com/2020/08/23/smile/

"The TV Westerns of My Youth"  

By Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-tv-westerns-of-my-youth/

"Forward is a Pace - dealing with 2020" 

By Marie Larsen

http://www.chicagonow.com/bug-coffee/2020/05/forward-is-a-pace-dealing-with-2020/

"Positively Reaping the Harvest" 

By Mauverneen Blevins 

https://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2020/08/positively-reaping-harvest.html

"Quiet Time" 

By Allison Rios 

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/09/quiet-time.html

"The TV Westerns of My Youth, Part 2" 

By Ken McGee 

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-tv-westerns-of-my-youth-part-2/

Tired of staying at home?
Then check out this travel blog, written and illustrated by a local author.

http://www.mauveonthemove.com/?fbclid=IwAR3NS-pDqzdXxhMtoVPwmqKhmzlmeRPQhckVnIUvqMm8lJZtn2ldmBFlC9o

"The Journey of Eniarrol Nosilla" 

By Ken McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-journey-of-eniarrol-nosilla/

I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me 

By Allison Rios

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/09/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me.html

Fun, Inspirational, and Not By Me

In addition to writing and editing for fun and for profit, I read A LOT (I blame my asthmatic childhood, but see? Good can come from bad) and follow the blogs of my fellow indie authors.

Here are some of the blog posts I've read over the past couple of weeks, as well as a link to all four WriteOn Joliet anthologies and a plug for my WriteOn Joliet co-leader's latest book.

Happy reading!


Discover new voices with a WriteOn Joliet anthology

This adult critique group I co-lead with Tom Hernandez currently has four available. Check them out! :)

https://www.writeonjoliet.com/anthologies


The Weekly Fruit and Vegetable Report

If you're a grandparent or a grandparent-to-be, you'll love this new book by Tom Hernandez

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086K3FJC9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0


"Positively Quarantined"

http://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2020/03/positively-quarantined.html


"Positively Drawing"

http://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2020/04/positively-drawing.html


"The Silent Treatment" by Holly Coop

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8479028856898515303#editor/target=post;postID=5212989981083659267


"Promoting Before Publishing" by James Pressler

http://www.writingandtheprocess.com/2020/04/i-recently-started-dialogue-with-up-and.html?fbclid=IwAR1zIe4DgSCczYf-sQNNkt14NCu_VO3Eri9LAqDbyR0WSRf0YVZdJSZGnQ0


And a series of  short stories and humorous blog posts by Ken McGee: BTW, the "FAQS" post is, hands down, the best author interview I have ever read.


"Don’t Worry, Dear, It Was Only a Small Fire" by Kenneth Lee McGee 

https://kennethleemcgee.com/dont-worry-dear-it-was-only-a-small-fire/


"The Typewriter Virus" by Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-typewriter-virus/


"Lots of dust in that gym," by Ken McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/swish-nothing-but-net/


"The Lost Treasure of Perkins MacGhee" By Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-lost-treasure-of-perkins-macghee/


"The Capture of Perkins MacGhee" By Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-capture-of-perkins-macghee/


"Lifetime Achievement Awards" by Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/lifetime-achievement-awards/


"Grandpa and the Lost Lonely Lions Return"

https://kennethleemcgee.com/grandpa-and-the-lost-lonely-lions-return/


"A Tale Of Two Canals – The Erie & The Root" by Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/a-tale-of-two-canals-the-erie-the-root/


"FAQs – The Top Ten (or eleven, whatever)"

https://kennethleemcgee.com/faqs-the-top-ten-or-eleven-whatever/


"Don’t Worry, Dear, It Was Only a Small Fire" by Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/dont-worry-dear-it-was-only-a-small-fire/


"To ?, or Not To ? That Is the ?" by Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/to-or-not-to-that-is-the/

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 29 through April 3

Good morning, everyone!

Today is less hectic than many past Fridays, so I have a couple minutes to catch-up on the "other" writing/fiction front.

Last night WriteOn Joliet held its first virtual meeting, and it was wonderful to catch up with people. The great thing about the virtual meeting is that a member who's not been able to attend for a couple years due to work was there, as was another who moved to Indiana.

Some people had wine instead of coffee (because they could) and they entire atmosphere was upbeat and joyful. Can't wait for our next meeting in two weeks! :)

Today I'm finishing a couple work assignments and then moving onto side projects.

I have a few final edits to incorporate into Phyllis' memoir (changes her family wanted) and then sending a final proof to granddaughter.

I'm on the second round of edits for a client and then moving onto a sample edit for a new client.

Tomorrow is reserved for fiction: The Phoenix and (hopefully) back to Lycanthropic Summer for awhile, too (I've neglected that one for a few weeks).

Sunday is back to work and a phone conversation with one of my beta readers, who'd like to discuss the written critique.

Be safe, be well, be full of joy and hope.

Non-bylined features:

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

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

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 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.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Books and Such

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

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.

Do you qualify for unemployment benefits?
Expanded benefits available due to COVID-19 – but you might have to wait for them

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/29/do-you-qualify-for-unemployment-benefits/dkht5vr/


An Extraordinary Life: Sophia Zufa was ahead of her time
Livelong writer embraced independence and creativity

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/28/an-extraordinary-life-sophia-zufa-was-ahead-of-her-time/dy03dl6/


Plainfield man recovering from severe case of COVID-19 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/31/plainfield-man-recovering-from-severe-case-of-covid-19/aqn8qge


'We are reaching the breaking point' 
Medical director of Joliet hospital concerned about potential rise in COVID-19 patients

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/31/we-are-reaching-the-breaking-point/alrfw0b/


LocalLit book review: 'Necessary Death' by R. Michael Markley of Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/30/locallit-book-spotlight-necessary-death-by-r-michael-markley-of-joliet/aegsx6z/


Is COVID-19 increasing domestic abuse in Will County?
Experts share resources, recommendations, reassurances

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/04/01/is-covid-19-increasing-domestic-abuse-in-will-county/al9wjet/


Joliet Public Library’s Star Wars Day canceled due to COVID-19

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/04/02/joliet-public-librarys-star-wars-day-canceled-due-to-covid-19/abxpeeo/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 26 through May 31

WOW! What a great night last night!

Write Joliet held a meet and greet last night in the lobby of the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library, and it was phenomenal.

Writers, readers, patrons, and guessed stop to browse books, buy books, and to talk about books and writing.

Bertrand the Mouse did run off at one point, causing a slight bit of panic (in me), but Daniel had captured him before I'd even realized he'd gone missing and sulkily spent the rest of the event in Daniel's sweatshirt pocket.

Author Sue Midlock suggested a wrist leash for the adventurous bit of crocheted yarn. I think that's a great idea!

If you haven't seen WriteOn Joliet's display at the library, you still have time. Program director Dawn Ritter asked if we could leave it up through this Star Wars Day this weekend. It's in the double case in the lobby.

Have a great weekend readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. :)

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): 

 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.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com. Again, Timothy is in the process of updating the website, so all titles may not appear. If you have any 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.

'No one wants to help anymore'
Wilmington couple open their doors to ex-addict who needed a home

Tom Arambasich and his wife April discussed it. They had a spare bedroom. Therese Raymond needed a home. Tom and April needed help with housework and April's care.

"She'd never had a break before," Tom said. "So why not?"

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/21/ed22f7ff015a43559cdc3be91f3aeba9/index.xml?page=1

Memories of the former Joliet Beach Club 

Our neighbor Dale O'Connell Sr. (deceased) managed the club. Periodically he would call out someone's name, with a stern instruction to come to the office. My father said those were the swimmers who were not obeying the rules.

One day, "Mr. O'Connell" boomed over the loudspeaker: "Denise and Karen Schonbachler: Come to the office." Quaking with fear and wondering what rule I broke,  I splashed out of the water and huddled on our blanket.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/19/82d365a5cfc14785bd6e87c398e1e7cd/index.xml


'Quite astonishing and beautiful'
Joliet cathedral to host an afternoon of organ and saxophone music

"I think when people questions aesthetics, we need to also be really careful how we do that," James Grzadzinski said. "One person's taste is not another's. But only when you open your hearts to the experience of the music, can you begin to let the music live."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/28/e6cea8efc49a440299875a26a91aa336/index.xml


Artworks: Exactly where she's meant to be
Joliet Junior College's Nicki Blowers is branching into community theater

"When you're the director, you're the visionary," Blowers said. "And you want to make a great experience for the audience. You're the end all and be all. You make all the decision about creative choices."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/28/17def5529f3444e5824c40419e382bb9/index.xml?page=1


LocalLit local author spotlight: Maureen Blevins of New Lenox 

Blevins said, "Writing about people is always interesting - some of their stories are fascinating. And I always have fictional scenarios going on in my head.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/05/09/locallit-author-spotlight-maureen-blevins-of-new-lenox/aity5sn/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Community News: March 26 and March 27, 2019

Check out upcoming events and the awesome things people are doing.

And then scroll down for links to page of local authors.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.


Local students make dean’s lists for fall 2018

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/26/local-students-make-deans-lists-for-fall-2018/ausjavi/

New study shows marijuana legalization has impacted road safety 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/24/new-study-shows-marijuana-legalization-has-impacted-road-safety/ascsl7w/


Childerguild gives $315,000 for women’s and children’s services at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/24/childerguild-gives-315-000-for-womens-and-childrens-services-at-silver-cross-hospital-in-new-lenox/apofx39/


Silver Cross in New Lenox to host Diabetes Alert March 26 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/25/silver-cross-in-new-lenox-to-host-diabetes-alert-march-26/aazbzle/


Morris Hospital Foundation offers health care scholarships

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/03/25/morris-hospital-foundation-offers-health-care-scholarships/ajh2eqo/


LOCAL AUTHORS


"Books for the whole family."

Kenneth Lee McGee and his wife of forty-five years live in the Plainfield, Illinois, area, are active in their local church and spend many hours indulging their grandchildren.

https://kennethleemcgee.com/


R. Michael Markley Books and Blog

Mike lives in the Chicago area with his wife, Kristine, on four acres of land. He is a former member of the Christian Writer's Guild and a publisher of his own newsletter.

http://rmichaelmarkley.com/


Writing and "The Process"

James is a career analyst who has lived a double-life for the past two decades as a creative writer, exploring the world beyond facts and figures.

http://www.writingandtheprocess.com/


Tom Hernandez Books and Blog

Tom Hernandez's writing explores marriage, family, relationships, identity, aging, parenting, faith, social justice and politics.

https://tomhernandezbooks.com/


"Holly Coop Books"

Holly Coop resides in the Midwest with her family. She is an author and an artist. She enjoys writing spiritual and inspirational poetry and motivational quotes @writerbeeme @writerbeeme

https://hollycoopbooks.com/


Check out Duanne Walton's many vidoes: from Svengoolie to "cons" to "openmicnights

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHYqoo9Fgvf95CkGFpf7Sg


Glascoe Writes Poetry

"I am writer, poet (I feel the need to separate the two), and a massive nerd."

https://glascoewritespoetry.com/?fbclid=IwAR1IgH6Sw0YJmg9sjuVSFoUm45hsyKSvMKcMwd95t3h0_wY93FCjQfhwRjI


Sue Mydliak (Sue Midlock)

Sue has been writing for over ten years. She's published nine books: for children, about vampires, southern short stories, and is working on a story about a green witch.

https://suemydliak.wordpress.com/


"Positively Tuesday"

Photos and inspiration from writer/photographer Maureen Blevins @mauverneen

http://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/


"Boomhood—A Baby Boomer’s Free-Range Childhood" 

This is a flash-back, whimsical and fun account of Robert Hafey of Joliet baby-boomer’s childhood.

http://boomhood.com/


Sharon M.E. Houk

Sharon M.E. Houk is an author of children's books, short stories, essays, articles, poetry and plays. She lives in Joliet, Illinois with her imaginary Irish wolfhounds.

https://sharonhouk.blogspot.com/

Life In The Middle

Vanessa Stephens is an aspiring writer who spends much of her time writing flash fiction, short stories, working on her debut novel, or spending time with her family.
She lives in Joliet, IL with her husband and daughter.

https://www.vanessajcstephens.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

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Maureen Blevins