About the BryonySeries: Incognito

Three legendary females travel incogito between the pages of several BryonySeries novels.

But can you spot them?

From now until June 30, I will ship one free BryonySeries book (limited to places Amazon ships) to anyone who can tell me in which BryonySeries characters each of these three notorious women are possibly hiding.

The offers expires at 11:59 p.m. CST June 30.

Here are the three women:

Elizabeth Bathory

Circe

Lamia

Simply send their names and their alter ego names to bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

If you are correct, we will ask which book you'd like and where to ship it.

Remember, only the reader can decide if these woman are actually lurking in the pages or if they only embody certain characteristics of their mythic counterparts.

Either way - have fun!

One Photo Tells So Much

I recently stumbled across this photo and thought to myself, "What a terrible photo!" Why did a take a picture of this???

Upon closer inspection, I realized this photo told so much about me, kind of like those hidden picture puzzles that amused some of us as children.

I swear what's coming next isn't social media clickbait. You know, the posts that say things like, "let's see how many people will like and share," etc.

This is really a little more fun. And maybe a bit of a cautionary tale about the things we don't mean to share when we post random photos.

Here's the ask: How many things does this photo tell you about me?

Game ends Monday, October 20.

Winner receives a BryonySeries book of choice.

IF THE WINNER SO DESIRES, I'll post the list of "items" and a photo of the winner with the book.

Otherwise, the winner just wins.

And who know? Maybe I'll learn a few more things about myself.

Happy Tuesday!

Watch For These Nine Key Phrases

Next Friday and Saturday night, 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 just $5.

And here's a game you can play at the event. Below are nine phrases that WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player Mauverneen Blevins has periodically posted on her Facebook page over the last couple of weeks.

Pay attention to the phrases during the show. When you hear it, match the phrase to the piece in which it appears.

If you find them all, stop at the BryonySeries table on your way out the door for a small gift.

Have fun!

"Consult your crystal ball and get back with me."

 "...live from a place no dirtbag has gone before."

 "Knit one, purl two"

"What about the sledgehammer?"

"Or maybe we just make you an offer you can't refuse."

"Objection, your honor."

"I am here to thwart you foul villain!"

"Take a twirl with me..."

"Things could always be worse..."

Authors and performers on April 19 and April 20 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Jennifer Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Rachel Veres.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Cat-Opoly

This weekend was both productive and relaxing.

Friday night I worked on Call of the Siren character questionnaires. 

Saturday I had a practice Zoom call with Ed and Nancy Calkins (they feel ready for Calkins Day) followed by a Zoom call with our accountant for taxes, which are ready to go.

That was followed by some marketing and some more work on those character questionnaires.

Sunday Rebekah and I packed the Christmas trees away. She cleaned house; I got some work done.

She played video games; I read.

And we started a game of Cat-Opoly, a present from Jasmine at Christmas.

Although I was having a pretty mellow day, I did want to do something away from a screen (and away from reading) before I went back to work on Monday.

My resolve intensified when Rebekah pointed out that I've spent so much time in front of my computer over this past year (and especially over the past few weeks since I've broken my toe), that I have a worn spot where I plant my feet.

The nice thing about living with grown children and senior cats is that we can finally set up a game and leave it.

So we did - with plans to pop back into it, here and there, over the week.

And speaking of Calkins Day, registration is going well for this virtual event, and Ed and Nancy are super excited.

If you have an hour to spare (7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 CST), please help celebrate the accomplishment of a dyslexic writer who finally saw his dream come true - writing a publishing a book.

We will have REAL FOOD (if you have a few common ingredients handy) and time for questions.

The event is free.

Register here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.

A'Gaming We Will Go

For several months, the Steward of Tara has been hard at work at the first Bryony computer game, and it is ready for a test run.

This Wednesday, after his interview at the P.Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, Ed Calkins will try out the game with several of my sons, while, in the next room, Stephen Tuplin will film the Bryony music video featuring pianist and composer James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).

The Steward's been mum on the details, but he has said it will involve role playing--with Ed Calkins being the strongest and most ruthless character--and strategy, which Ed is certain to win.

His only dilemna is whether or not to release the game now or wait to for the upgrade. My question: If you've created yourself as an unbeatble character, how much upgrading can you do?

Ed Calkins Breaks His Silence

I had not heard from Ed in several weeks, so when I answered the phone yesterday and heard, "This is Ed!" I stifled a sigh and waited for the credit card sales pitch.

"Your character, Ed," he said. "I need your help."

I learned Ed has been working on a Bryony-based, downloadable game revolving around a limerick contest. He wanted feedback regarding symbolism and personality traits of the game's five main characters. Ed, of course, is the primary and most powerful character.

His biggest challenge? Modifying the game so it will interest people other than him. The other games he's created have only his enjoyment in mind.

Because some of my kids are dedicated gamers, Ed's counting on them serving as test subjects. He's hoping to have an initial model ready in two months.

Right now, he's stuck on the title. Should it emphasize his role as Steward of Tara or promote the Calkins Day Parade?