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.

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. 23 through Feb. 28

Good morning!

I'll be adding three more stories later today, so be sure to check back (not everything that is in print today has been posted online yet).

Below you'll find information on where to find me and my writings in the online world.

Beyond that, you'll find links to all the human interest/features stories that ran in The Herald-News this past week.

Tonight, I'm attend an author event.

Tomorrow, I'm attending a book signing.

Sunday, I'm attending a fundraiser.

But other than that, my only plans are some reading and a whole lot of writing for my first book in the Limbo series and my werewolf novel, both part of the BryonySeries.

I'll be armed with plenty of quiet and coffee. All I'll need is for the muse to show up.

Wish me luck!

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&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 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. 

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.

They entered for the sake of Chance – and won
Wilmington parents win bike for their special needs son

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/19/they-entered-for-the-sake-of-chance-and-won/ad9ylh9/


Friends lovingly remember Minooka grandmother who died in Feb. 14 fire

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/21/friends-lovingly-remember-minooka-grandmother-who-died-in-feb-14-fire/dqah3zf/


VIDEO: Susan M. Weber shows off her new Minooka home

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/75a87e5e-d0b8-42a9-bdcd-5280c41cac03.html


An Extraordinary Life: ‘One of the strongest women I’ve ever met’
Joliet Unity Movement to give away 2 scholarships in member’s name

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/21/one-of-the-strongest-women-ive-ever-met/akini40/


Fur the love of George and his shelter mates
Shorewood's no-kill shelter to host annual gala

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/20/fur-the-love-of-george-and-his-shelter-mates/dt4w1sk/


Plainfield dog is a bit more cautious these days
Maverick is recovering well following his fall through the ice ice 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/21/plainfield-dog-is-a-bit-more-cautious-these-days/d5htfr2/


'It's all over his body'
Joliet family staying positive as their toddler battles cancer

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/24/its-all-over-his-body/dyjrfsc/


LocalLit book spotlight: 'One Shoe Off' by Sue Merrell, formerly of Joliet 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/20/locallit-book-spotlight-one-shoe-off-by-sue-merrell-formerly-of-joliet/agstpq9/


LocalLit book review: 'One Shoe Off' by Sue Merrell, formerly of Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/articles/2020/02/24/b4cb404ee78b44f08e0341bfc0e461ad/index.xml



Nothing beats the taste of homemade bread
Follow these tips to make some at home

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/26/nothing-beats-the-taste-of-homemade-bread/dgog8j4/


'It's like a mixture of impressionism, realism and surrealism'
Art exhibit in #Lemont features work of fine art/abstract paintings

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/02/20/7cf75e71daff45e1b68b47c903b8ce91/index.xml?page=1


At 98, Lemont jewelry artist champions the creativity of others

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/21/at-98-lemont-jewelry-artist-champions-the-creativity-of-others/dje2iem/


LocalLit book spotlight: 'Mouse in the House' by J.L. Callison of Aurora

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/27/locallit-book-spotlight-mouse-in-the-house-by-j-l-callison-of-aurora/a2xiqxk/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

If You Missed Parts of the Blog Tour...

...you can catch up right here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/2018-bryonyseries-blog-tour.

Rebekah and I spent a day whittling down various BryonySeries chores we let slide in favor of more pressing obligations.

We probably need one more Sunday (yet to be scheduled) to catch up, but we made a huge dent. Going forward, we'll be more on top of it (now that we know basically what we're doing with some of them), but it did feel good to cross items off the list.

The first four books of Before the Blood are at the print shop, and my editor will have them this week. I am looking forward to hearing the first bits of real feedback, making the corrections, and then finally sharing them with those who'd like to read them.

Back in the office today. Sooooo glad I kept up with email while I was gone.

Have a great Monday, readers, writers, and vampire fans! :)

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

TurnAbout Tour: Sue Merrell

The first BryonySeries TurnAbout Tour continues today with Sue Merrell.

According to her Amazon author page, Sue Merrell graduated from the nation's oldest journalism school (J-School at Mizzou), spent more than 30 years at newspapers in Texas, South Carolina, Illinois and Michigan, covering everything from the cops beat and school boards to writing a singles column and editing a food section. 

She spent the last 10 years of her full-time journalism career reviewing theater for The Grand Rapids Press. Soon after retiring in 2009 she wrote a memoir, Laughing for a Living, about her years as an entertainment writer. 

In 2010 she launched a mystery/thriller series with Great News Town. The second book in the series, One Shoe Off, was released in December 2012. The third book, Full Moon Friday, was released June 13, 2014, on a full moon Friday the 13th. Sue lives on a lake in Michigan.

For more on Sue and her stories, check out this Herald-News interview:

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

And now, three of her posts you should check out.

Good Multiplied

One of my son Timothy's favorite quotes comes from the movie Harvey: "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' - she always called me Elwood -'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

One of my favorite of all Sue's blogs.

http://laughingforaliving.blogspot.com/2013/09/good-multiplied.html


Year of the Shoe

Love Sue's creative approach to marketing one of her books. Whether or not you're an author, you're probably marketing something (an event, a business, a concept). Perhaps this video will give you some ideas even as it entertains you (or spark an interest in the book - even better).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLs6jPbcpHc&feature=youtu.be


Writer's Remorse

One of Sue's earliest posts, short and simple, but full of the angst I think many writers, especially journalists and otherswho write quickly and on deadline, experience. At least, the post rang true for me.

http://laughingforaliving.blogspot.com/2010/12/writers-remorse.html

"BryonySeries and Baseball" Tour host: Sue Merrell

Second stop on the BryonySeries Inaugural Blog Tour is the blog of Sue Merrell

According to her Amazon page, Sue graduated from the nation's oldest journalism school (J-School at Mizzou), spent more than 30 years at newspapers in Texas, South Carolina, Illinois and Michigan, covering everything from the cops beat and school boards to writing a singles column and editing a food section. 

She spent the last 10 years of her full-time journalism career reviewing theater for The Grand Rapids Press. Soon after retiring in 2009 she wrote a memoir, Laughing for a Living, about her years as an entertainment writer. In 2010 she launched a mystery/thriller series with Great News Town. The second book in the series, One Shoe Off, was released in December 2012. 

The third book, Full Moon Friday, was released June 13, 2014, on a full moon Friday the 13th. Sue lives on a lake in Michigan.

Sue's stop on the tour connects the BryonySeries to baseball. How is that possible? Well, you just have to read the post:

http://laughingforaliving.blogspot.com/2018/05/writers-world-series.html

For more baseball stats on authors, check back HERE on Wednesdays during the month of May.

For more information on the BryonySeries blog tour, visit:

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2018/05/take-virtual-road-trip-with-me.html

And for the blog tour itinerary, visit:

https://www.bryonyseries.com/promotions

As with any "road trip," you might like to pick up some souvenirs. Check out Sue's HERE.

If you missed stop No. 1, visit these links to tour host Holly Coop:

My first poem:

http://writerbeeme.blogspot.com/2018/05/and-now-please-help-me-welcome-very.html

Holly's interview on my blog, visit:

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2017/08/author-interview-holly-coop.html

Holly's books:

https://hollycoopbooks.com/

Happy traveling!

Take a Virtual Road Trip with Me?

In May, I'm tackling one item on my marketing bucket list.

I'm going on tour with the BryonySeries. And I'm not leaving home.

You see, instead of moving from state to to state and bookstore to bookstore, I'm moving from blog to blog, each with its own theme and "flavor," if you will.

The tour will have eight stops. Seven will feature original content written by me (giving my gracious hosts a break from writing posts) that reflect themes of both the BryonySeries and the host blog.

One stop is actually a YouTube interview between my host and me. It's cross-marketing in its virtual finest.

And you're invited to travel with me.

On each day of the stop, I'll post a short summary of blog we're visiting along with a link to the content. You simply click on the link, and you're there! No waiting in lines. ;)

At the end of the tour, I'll recap the journey (but you won't have to sit through a slide show) and introduce you to June's TurnAbout Tour.

What's a TurnAbout Tour, you may ask? Well, it's spending an entire month featuring some of my favorite posts from the host sites and the reason why I like those posts. This gives you the opoortunity to enjoy them, too, and perhaps check back with those sites for new content.

I'll explain more about the TurnAbout Tour in June. The link to May's blog tour is HERE.

Happy traveling! :)

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Today at The Book Market

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Today at The Book Market

Today is an appreciation post. Monday's post will recap my impressions.

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to Sue Merrell for arrranging the event and inviting me to participate, The Book Market owner Jan Staley for hosting and promoting us; Allie Rios for handling the extras: promotional flyers, author one-sheets, frames, and a Facebook ad; Daniel Baran for transportation; and Rebekah Baran for her phenomenal "take charge" organizational and managerial skills.

I'm blessed to know and collaborate with some really outstanding people. God is truly good.

The venue:

The Book Market, an indie shop of new and used books, is located at 2366 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/newandusedbooks/ and http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/04/13/crest-hill-bookstore-expands-across-the-street/atrjgyw/


My fellow WriteOn Joliet authors:

Sue Merrell writes crime fiction. The setting and incidents are based on similar ones in the Joliet area. For more information, visit suemerrellbooks.com.

Allie Rios writes inspirational fiction on the theme of healing. She also has a collection of stories about brain cancer battles (including the story of her mother) that benefits the American Brain Foundation at www.americanbrainfoundation.org. Find her on Facebook at Allison Rios, Author and at www.amijustmom.blogspot.com.

Ralph Carey, a recovering alcoholic, has an inspirational book about the recovery journey. Find him on Facebook at Life's Wisdom Overcoming Addiction.

From left: Ralph Carey, Jan Staley, Allie Rios, Denise M. Baran-Unland, Sue Merrell

Slacking and Four-Author Event Reminder

But only in fiction. But only because my features writing and editing consumed my time this weekend.

It felt satisfying to get so much accomplished, yet frustrating, too, because half the list remained. (My lists are rather ambitious).

However, before I left for a funeral last night, I did reread, aloud (because my WriteOn Joliet co-leader says I read too quickly) the selection I'm bringing to the meeting Thursday night. I also printed out copies and tucked them into my laptop bag. That probably counts as fiction, right/write?

A reminder for readers in the Joliet area: Four members of WriteOn Joliet will chat and sign books this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Book Market at 2366 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill.

Sue Merrell writes crime fiction. The setting and incidents are based on similar ones in the Joliet area. For more information, visit suemerrellbooks.com.

Allie Rios writes inspirational fiction on the theme of healing. She also has a collection of stories about brain cancer battles (including the story of her mother) that benefits the American Brain Foundation at www.americanbrainfoundation.org. Find her on Facebook at Allison Rios, Author.

Ralph Carey, a recovering alcoholic, has an inspirational book about the recovery journey. Find him on Facebook at Life's Wisdom Overcoming Addiction.

For people on a budget, I'm giving away fifteen copies of Snowbell that day.

For more information, visit www.bryonyseries.com/Fetes_and_Feasts.html.

Have a great Monday, vampire fans! :)

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 20 through Sept. 2

A week of catch-up from vacation while trying to go forward into the new week, but it's also been a great week. As much as I love Raleigh and spending down time with family, I also love this job and am very happy to be back.

Yes, even when I'm working through the weekend and holiday. One new change since I've been gone: the covers for the Health section willl come from national news, the result of a compressed editorial staff and my supervisor's hope that I can take on some features for the news section. From time to time, I will write some shorter health-themed stories for the section and stories that are health-related (such as my People cover on Sunday) will appear in other sections.

So what's run, feature-wise, since I've been there and back?

Well, you can check out the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at the link below. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/ Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday and often stays on the home page throughout the week.

Feature briefs for Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (Arts and Entertainment), and Sunday (People) are also edited (texted and photos) by the lady of this blog, but only the stories have bylines.

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

And if you do peek at these stories, to quote our editor Kate Schott, "Thank you for reading The Herald-News." :)

Founder of New Lenox's ShareFest is a helper connecting other helpers (VIDEO EXTRA)

Gary Cheney said God and volunteers make ShareFest a success

The sheer volume of the projects Cheney organizes boggles the mind. 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/18/founder-of-new-lenoxs-sharefest-is-a-helper-connecting-other-helpers/acxz7d0/


Minooka man builds a full life while fighting a rare cancer

Bill Allen didn’t let ACC interfere with his goals

“Unless you knew Bill on a personal level, you would have never known he had cancer,” Bill’s wife, Ashliegh Allen, wrote in an email.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/12/minooka-man-builds-a-full-life-while-fighting-a-rare-cancer/abks3vj/


Former Joliet resident has arranged music for popular entertainers (VIDEO EXTRA)

Arranger Fred Wayne has also played and taught music

“I’ve written for Frank Sinatra Jr. – who just passed away – and Dizzy Gillespie,” Wayne said. “I wrote for Clark Terry – I did over 50 arrangements for him.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/10/former-joliet-resident-has-arranged-music-for-popular-entertainers/a6bkhr7/

An Extraordinary Life: Family came first for Joliet woman

Gwen Dickerson-Johnson faithfully served her home family and her church family

“Gwen was like the Road Runner. She went all the time,” her sister Darlene Bradley said. “You could always find her at the church doing something. 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/05/an-extraordinary-life-family-came-first-for-joliet-woman/afjtxdi/


Joliet attorney learns spiritual lessons from pool (VIDEO EXTRA)

Stephen Saporta found a loving God at the pool table

Joliet attorney Stephen Saporta isn’t proud of the first time Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, an ESPN and world master trick-shot champion, visited his house for dinner and a friendly game of pool.

“I was so competitive, I wanted to destroy him,” Saporta said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/29/joliet-attorney-learns-spiritual-lessons-from-pool/awglhn3/


Three Joliet area novelists share insights on crime fiction (VIDEO EXTRA)

Val Bruech, Mike Markley and Sue Merrell discuss their crime novels

Draws might be the ethics of right and wrong, the thrill of the cat-and-mouse chase, the mystery of whodunit or the spurious connection to an actual murder.

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