The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Sue's Diner: Italian Herb Monkey Bread with Garlic Olive Oil
This week's recipe is called "Italian Herb Monkey Bread with Garlic Olive Oil" and my daughter Sarah Stegall created it and submitted it.
This recipe appears in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
You can try our modified recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
32 Quotes from "Staked!"
When we were getting ready to release Bryony back in 2011, my daughter Sarah (who did a lot of the marketing for me) suggested I pull thirty teaser quotes from the book that she could post on Facebook, one each day.
We did the same for the second book, Visage, which is also part of the BryonySeries.
But for some reason, I never did the same for another book.
So now I am catching up.
Here is the synopsis and chapter headings for Staked!, (the third book in the BryonySeries "drop of blood" trilogy), followed by thirty-two quotes, one from each chapter.
The quotes previously appeared on the BryonySeries Facebook page, but I can't even find them on the site anymore.
Anyway...enjoy!
For seventeen-year-old John-Peter Simotes, prodigy of a college music professor that died from a mysterious illness and was staked by his best friend’s vampire-slayer father, growing up in a remote fishing village means tolerating an English teacher mother, enduring a Bible-thumping grandfather, working for a newspaper delivery uncle and a funeral director stepfather, playing with astral projection, and waiting for the right opportunity to rescue the princess trapped in a bedroom mirror.
So when John-Peter accidentally discovers a diary written by his deceased great-grandmother, revealing her claims that a famous nineteenth century pianist and composer with a connection to the village and a resemblance to the music professor was actually a vampire, he and his best friend, Karla Dyer, decide to resurrect the vampire to prove her theory.
But experiments with magic and immortality do more than test the information set forth by a mentally unstable woman. They unlock the truth about John-Peter’s real identity, the evil motives of people he trusts, and the mission upon which he must embark to save them all.
Prologue
"I have a box of wood from the oldest oak
tree in France," Ed said. "'I want you to make something from it."
Chapter 1: Returning Home
John-Peter didn’t have to ask which ones contained
only isolated soy protein. The nauseating smell of beef gave it away; his only
satisfaction was in knowing Kellen reacted the same way about Mabel’s garlic
buns.
Chapter 2: The Leather-Bound Diary
“For the blood,'” John Simons echoed, “'is the life.”
Chapter 3: Paradise in the Old Oak Tree
3) Bryony moped; the servants moped; and even Mr.
Matthews, Mr. John’s house steward, who could always be counted upon for a
ready smile and a hearty laugh even as he slipped a few peppermint bits inside
my pocket or tweaked my hair, shut himself up in his study and only
occasionally made an appearance.
Chapter 4: Midnight Apprentice
"'There once was a cheap boss named
Reece
"Whose supplies to carriers
decreased
"When
the carriers cried, 'Foul!'
"Reece
spat as he howled,
“'I’ll make you share one sleeve apiece!'”
Chapter 5: School Physical
Dr. Rothgard paused and looked hard at John-Peter. “A
man needs to face himself in the mirror."
Chapter 6: Outcast
"Give the leprechaun a break. Maybe he had guard
duty at the end of the rainbow."
Chapter 7: Musical Chairs
“Well, Kellen is gone for the week, and you can spend your time as you see
fit. Throw that last paper, John-Peter, and put your shoes back on. We’ll stop
at Eircheard’s Emporium after I adjust the leprechaun. The old magician
procured an Irish tankard collection from an estate and promised me first
looks.'
Chapter 8: The Legacy of Cornell Dyer
Karla giggled. “Just walk through the door. You’re disembodied, remember?"
Chapter 9: Nature of the Beast
John-Peter concluded that a funeral director able to raise the dead would
have no problem preserving a plant.
Chapter 10: Teacher's Pet
"John clamped his teeth onto my neck, ripping its
flesh as he swallowed a huge, mouthful of blood. I screamed in agony and
fright. Peter sat up, fumbling for a candle.
Chapter 11: A New Friend
The boy did not answer as he joined the Steward by the cash register.
Without any hesitation at all, John-Peter pulled his wallet from his back
pocket, removed Kellen’s credit card, and tossed it on the counter.
Chapter 12: Last Choice
John-Peter only felt the cold, sleek surface, and the princess hadn't offered him an apple, but for tonight, that was enough.
Chapter 13: The Mad Scientist
Bertrand snagged the chunk with fully extended
claws and greedily devoured it as exhaustion dragged John-Peter into the leafy
top of a tall oak tree. Below, Ed Calkins sat and played a tin whistle. A cool
breeze flitted across the boy's cheeks. A full golden moon cast its beams
through the leaves. He stretched his toes and savored the blood still lingering
in his mouth.
Chapter 14: Time Out
He drank half a gallon of water and immersed
himself into the story of the French Revolution.
Chapter 15: Mouse in the House
"Daddy gave very specific directions for practicing
necromancy with a mandrake. If you’re not going to take this seriously…"
Chapter 16: When a Door Closes, Open Windows
No piece he ever composed had stirred such elusive longings inside him, and it was hard work to replicate it. He recalled his family's tears. It was a powerful piece, to be sure.
Chapter 17: The Gift from the Grave
"You know, John-Peter, this is what pleases me about Munsonville. Nothing ever changes. Look at this snow. It snows like this year after year. I have no reason to expect that this winter will be any different from all the other winters I have known. Munsonville is safe, dependable, just like God.”
Chapter 18: Fallen Hero
A chubby red-haired candy striper magically
appeared from nowhere. Her freckles stood out from her face, as if ready to
leap off. Obviously an unlikely candidate for Kellen's photo collection."
Chapter 19: Blood Revenge
To me, the solution was a simple one: find her a
decent man to marry. Women, for all their charms, are rather simple creatures,
and I was convinced that a few flowers and declarations of love from another
would erase all thoughts of Henry from Millicent’s mind.
Chapter 20: Heartbreak
Lauren seized that opportunity to whip out a compact from her beaded purse--black with clear glass pebbles, which suited the hag that she was--and admire her reflection.
Chapter 21: The Land Beyond the Dreams
Lavender, or C Major 7? It really was not a difficult choice.
Chapter 22: Living on the Edge
An anguished Glorna vigorously protested, but the steward heartlessly laughed, wound a spool of thread around the fairy, as neatly as any seamstress might, and tucked him into his kilt for the journey back to the underworld, a journey that could be hard or easy, long or quick, depending on the steward’s present mood, for he controlled all elements of the story.
Chapter 23: Creature Comforts
Still, he waded through the tall greenery and stumbled upon a few cabbages and potatoes, entirely inappropriate for an ancient, abandoned, Irish garden, but this wasn’t his fantasy."
Chapter 24: Pot of Gold
The smile vanished from Aodhan’s face as quickly
as it came; a stern frown replaced it. "Remember that a secret is a weapon, as
well as a friend,' he said, preparing for take-off. 'Be careful it doesn’t turn
against you."
Chapter 25: The Steward of Tara
The spread on the table truly astounded him, and,
for the second time in twenty-four hours, Dawn subdued him, no easy task to
achieve.
Chapter 26: Ruthless Business
Amerigen nodded and then swept his eyes over the
other writers. "Another meeting in twenty-four hours, same time, same place?
Necessity requires haste. The duel is in two days."
Chapter 27: A Royal Pain in
“Shh! Do you want to get caught? Of course I’m serious, as serious as the time we stacked the baskets on old Mrs. Dobbs’ front porch to get the paper I threw into her rain gutter.'" He set the garbage bag on the ground and said, 'Come on, I don’t have all night."
Chapter 28: War of the Words
“They’re taking an intermission,' Aodhan said. 'I must
depart. I only came to inform you the troops are in formation and ready to
fight."
A Matter of Life and Death
Melissa’s heart stood still. She knew that voice,
although decades had passed since she last heard it. What was it doing here, in
Jenson? She took a deep breath. She could pretend she was engrossed in the
newscast. If she didn’t turn around, he might decide it was a mistake. He might
leave. That’s when Melissa knew she really did want to see him.
Chapter 30: Lost and Found
“Melissa, there’s more to laying legal claim to a minor
than having one show up in your closet, even if she comes attached with a
note."
Epilogue
She blinked, hard. Had the light played
tricks on her eyes? For a moment, it seemed that Henry, dressed in gray and
lavender to match John, stood in the sidelines.
Monday, May 1, 2023
Beautiful Flowers
I love flowers.
When my children were young, I used to buy half a dozen bouquets of fresh flowers during our weekly grocery shopping trip and arrange them in vases all through the house.
One time, the person handling checkout remarked, "What lovely flowers! Who are they for?"
I didn't miss a beat: "Me!"
I fell out of the habit once we had the cats, who found flowers great nibbling fun, and I wasn't certain which flowers were toxic to them.
But I'm still thrilled to receive them, and five beautiful people gifted me with flowers on April 22 in the lobby of the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre on Saturday night, after WriteOn Joliet's first radio style readings of original writings.
I love the smell of flowers, I love the look of flowers, especially all the little intricate details that are just amazing to me.
It was hard to take closeups with a cell phone camera. But here's a couple that aren't blurry.
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Friday, April 28, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 22 to April 28
Good morning!
Today I have just six features and news stories to share with you today, but I have not been slacking, oh, no!
I have three large pieces to be posted over the weekend, with more to come since I'm working through the weekend. Plus I completed my three last large pieces (for a total of eight) stories for special "Thank You, Teachers" edition that The Herald-News will publish on May 4.
So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Last Saturday WriteOn Joliet presented its first presentation of original readings in a radio-style format at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater. In June, we will record an audio version of that show.
And if you missed it the first time around, you may get another opportunity. I will keep you posted.
Fiction-wise, I have nothing new to report, since last weekend was dedicated completely to the show and then to work and housework on Sunday. Even though I am working through the weekend, I'm hoping to fill downtime by tinkering with some of the books.
Here is a recap so far.
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I have the prologue and first eighteen chapters drafted as well as a couple of chapters near the end.
Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior and cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
Karla Joins In: The fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series. Three chapters are completed and a fourth chapter is in a very rough draft.
BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'd love to have this one ready by the end of the year. Pecking slowly at it.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. A fourth of it is written and edited, another third on top of that is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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.
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, April 27, 2023
WriteOn Joliet Radio Play Wrap-Up
On Saturday night, eight members of WriteOn Joliet did something that's very unusual for a writers group.
For more and a greater variety of photos from the event (courtesy of WriteOn Joliet member Diane Short), visit the WriteOn Joliet Facebook group page at facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Sue's Diner: Lemon Chicken with Caramelized Onions
Today's recipe was a contribution from Alison Peloquin for the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
The recipe is called Lemon Chicken with Caramelized Onions.
Here is a summary of where it appeared in Bryony:
While having lunch at Sue’s Diner during Munsonville’s centennial celebration, Melissa and her friends ordered familiar food: cheeseburgers and French fries. Daring Kimberly Whitney was the exception. She had the day’s special: lemon chicken with caramelized onions.
Try the recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Serenity in the Morning
"Sleeping in" for me is anything past dawn.
If the sun is up before me, I feel as if the day is wasted.
I love an early morning walk in the quiet of the day before the business begins.
But even before the walk...
Monday, April 24, 2023
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Quick Saturday Gratitude: Book and Bean Cafe
This photo was taken at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet in WriteOn Joliet's very last open mic night on Calkins Day 2020 (February 13) before the pandemic shut down the "regular" way to live.
And we hope Tammy Duckworth, the cafe's owner, has room for us again this year.
BTW, the cafe is located inside the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library, which is a community partner of WriteOn Joliet.
But tonight, April 22, at 7 p.m., eight of us 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.
Performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.
And no, this blog isn't just one last marketing push (although it's that, too).
A portion of the show toward the end will pay tribute to the person who encouraged us to perform this open mics at the Book and Bean, without which, we could never stand on Bicentennial Park's stage and speak our original words into a microphone tonight.
As I said, this will be near the end of the show. So don't worry if you are a few minutes late.
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
Friday, April 21, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 15 to April 21
Good morning!
Today I have ten features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
I'm also finishing up stories for special "Thank You, Teachers" edition that The Herald-News will publish on May 4. More on this later.
In addition, WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, which you can see here.
And we have a promotional video, which you can see here.
We've held practices every night this week, except for last night due to our regular meeting of WriteOn Joliet at the Joliet Public Library. So if you're in the area, come out and heckle us! (wink).
So have I written anything on the fiction front?
Actually, last weekend was a good weekend for the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill. I have the prologue and first eighteen chapters drafted as well as a couple of chapters near the end.
So between lots of doctor-related trips over the past month and the radio play, I'm rather proud of myself (virtual pat on the back).
I am still in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters.
Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior art and a rough draft of the cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series and have chapter four in a very rough draft.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.
And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover, which is very close to my loosely formed vision for it. So I'm excited about that as well.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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.
FEATURES
Dave Mason’s ‘Endangered Species’ tour coming to Joliet theater in May: Tickets are available now
Pets of the Week: April 17, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Quick Thursday Gratitude: Joliet Public Library
In the fall of 2011, when our family was in the midst of a crisis, a young writer named Kristina Skaggs contacted me several times strongly suggesting that we should form a critique group for writers.
Kristina was so persistent that I reluctantly agreed, with the stipulation that I would guide from the background. I never envisioned how much this group would grow or how important it might become to me.
WriteOn Minooka started meeting in February 2012at the old firehouse in Minooka under the Three Rivers Arts council, which was renting the space. When the council lost the space the following year, Kristina found a new space at the Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch and we officially became WriteOn Joliet.
In 2018, WriteOn Joliet became an official partner of the Joliet Public Library. The library gives us space to meet, space in its quarterly program guide, and space on the shelves for our books, which "seeded" its local author collection.
I am so thankful for this partnership for it's been the conduit for many, many writers over the years to bring their words into the world.
WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. Through the years, the group has included professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets from all over the southern suburbs, and even beyond now, since we met virtually during the pandemic and still keep one virtual meeting a month to accommodate remote members.
And, yes, WriteOn Joliet has even welcomed Bertrand the Mouse and his Uncle Barty.
Some of our writers have self-published or have been traditionally published. Others are still exploring their writing options and interests. Regardless of their place in the writing world, WriteOn welcomes everyone looking to write, read and grow, in a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere, where writers can share their work and give and receive constructive feedback, and everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.
But WriteOn Joliet also strives to help writers find readers for their works and this is where we make a difference, I feel.
We help writers find their voice.
We help them improve the crafting of that voice.
We help them through the publishing process.
And then we help them find their audience, even if it's a small audience. I like to say, "If you can conceive it, someone wants to read it."
Locally, people can find those words on the shelves at both branches of the Joliet Public Library.
But wait - there's more!
This Saturday, April 22, at 7 p.m., the Joliet area community can also hear and enjoy some of those local words.
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.
Performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.
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.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Sue's Diner: Easter Candy Cookies
Got leftover Easter candy?
Use it up with this Easter Candy Cookies recipe Rebekah created with Cadbury Mini Eggs, although you could try other candy in this recipe, too.
You won't find this recipe in Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
However, you can find the recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Quick Tuesday Gratitude: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre
Last night we gathered for tech night in preparation for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which WriteOn Joliet will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
Thanks to my niece Rachel, who stepped up as our creative consultant, I know am familiar with terms such as "cue to cue" and "cyc wall" and the technical skills that happen offstage to make even a readers performance come dramatically alive for the audience.
I really wanted to take some rehearsal pictures last night. But even though we didn't run through the readings, I was surprisingly busier than I thought I'd be. I remembered the photos once I returned home.
Bad timing, I know.
But here is a photo of Bertrand the Mouse I took from his perch on the microphone at the sound effect table before "tech night" went into full swing. I really like the quietness of this image before the action begins: the set stage, the authors gathered, the empty seats waiting for patrons to fill them and be entertained.
I've been dimly aware over the years, from writing stories and attending performances at Bicentennial Park, of what a blessing community theater is and what a tremendous resource the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is.
But I've never been more keenly aware of that fact than last night, standing onstage, speaking into the mic, running back and forth from stage to sound booth, that this particular community theater is, at its heart, of the community and by the community for the community.
Tickets for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” are just $5. They are available online and at the door the night of the performance.
Visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
We hope you can make it out to Bicentennial Park this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.
You have Uncle Barty's word for it.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Quick Monday Gratitude: The Book Market in Crest Hill
Local readers and writers already know what a terrific resource The Book Market Sales and Trading Center in Crest Hill is for the community.
Not only is the owner, Janet Staley, friendly to local authors by hosting author signings and carrying locally written books on consignment, she stocks (or can find) a wide variety of new, used, and rare books, so many your mind will spin.
But this year, eight members of WriteOn Joliet discovered just how deeply Janet Staley's commitment to locally written words runs.
Starting in January, Janet opened her space after-hours for we eight to rehearsed for a “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which we will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.
For tickets (just $5) and more information about Saturday's, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.
Below are half a dozen photos from one rehearsal that feature Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Duanne Walton...and me!
Actually, Timothy's girlfriend Jasmine stood in for Steve Cordin in some of these photos since he was running late from work.
And my niece Rachel Veres (purple jacket), who has a theater background, drove more than an hour away, one way, to guide us into a better performance.
While we rehearsed, Janet worked on inventory.
We hope you can make it out to the theater this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Friday, April 14, 2023
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 8 to April 14
Good morning!
Today I have eleven features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
In addition to dealing with a new health issue (two doctors visits, one ER trip and one quick care visit over the last couple weeks), I've also been working on stories for a new edition The Herald-News will begin in March and a new "Thank You, Teachers" edition in May.
In additioin, WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet.
And now we are officially on Bicentennial Park's calendar, which you can see here.
And we have a promotional video, which you can see here.
So, as you can imagine, fiction projects are limping along. But they are progressing.
So far, I've completed rough drafts for the prologue and first sixteen chapters of the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another chapter drafted this weekend.
I am in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters.
Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior art and a rough draft of the cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.
I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.
You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon.
I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.
And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. But that's all I'm sharing about it for now.
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.
Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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.
FEATURES
Joliet’s Visitation and Aid to hold spring brunch on May 7: Tickets are available now
Travis Tritt to perform at the Rialto in Joliet in August" Tickets are available now
Pets of the Week: April 10, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"