It's Not What I Expected, Part 1

A couple of weeks ago, my oldest son Christopher, 29, asked to read Bryony. Although it did not meet his initial expectations of massive carnage, he enjoyed it enough to ask for the drafts of books two and three. Here are his comments.


1) Why did you ask for a copy?

“Everyone else in my family had read it, but for awhile, I didn’t have the time. After seeing the filming of the trailer and hearing the music, I was curious.”


2) What storyline were you anticipating?

“I thought it would be darker and be more graphic, not necessarily slasher, because I know the author likes some of that.”


3) What elements of Bryony did you enjoy?

“Trying to determine what was real and how to tell the difference between what was a pure dream and what was a propagated dream. I don’t think there was any time-traveling, but I liked the image of a whole exclusionary lifestyle. Even though it was a girly and a little fantastical, I still enjoyed it.”


4) Why did you think there was no time travel?

"When Melissa look our of the corner of her eye she sees decaying vampires. I think she was somehow psychically involved in the experience, almost like lucid dreaming with sight, sound, smell. Everything was as vivid as it could be; I just don’t think she actually went back into time to those events.”


5) Who were your favorite characters?

“Kellen was my favorite because he was the closest thing to a dark and evil character, so he especially kept my interest. I liked Henry because he was kind of sing-song; he was serious, but he went with it. He was honest; he told Melissa from the beginning to be careful, that she didn’t realize what she was getting into. He was no-nonsense, but he had a humorous side, too, all things considered.”

AMAZING GRACE (Bag Pipes)

Gospel Song Amazing Grace Played on Square Grand Piano by Jonathan Mayorov

Tour Ireland

Jenny Kissed Me by James Henry Leigh Hunt

Interesting Bryony link. It's Victorian, the poet has Henry in his name (the same as a character in Bryony), and I first read this poem in childhood, in a book called Best Friend by Shirley Simon (Bryony's lead vampire is John Simons).

Loved this poem the first time I heard it, and it was one of the earliest poems I memorized (for those of you who dig memorizing poetry).


Jenny Kissed Me

Jenny kissed me when we met,

Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief, who love to get

Sweets into your list, put that in!

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,

Say that health and wealth have missed me,

Say I'm growing old, but add,

Jenny kissed me.

Shadow Of The Cat 1961 Hammer Film Productions

Song # 7 Ambient Soothing Solo Piano-"Its Been A While" by James Onohan

Time is Running Out!

You have exactly seven days to submit a title suggestion for the Bryony cookbook. To get your creative juices flowing, here are the entries (contest rules follow below):

"Deadly Delights"

"Savory Bites"

"Timeless Recipes"

"The Table Is Set"

"A Bit of This, A Bit of That"

"Love at First Bite"

"Some Like it Hot"

"Some Like it Hot, Not Congealed"

"Secret Recipes of the Victorian Era"

"on’t be a Vampire: A Guide to Eating Like a Human"

"Taste of Munsonville""

"Vampire Delite"

"Recipes from the Dark"

"Food from the Darkside"

"Hold the Garlic"

"Deception in the Kitchen"

"Bloody Delights"

"Stakes and Snacks"

"Bloody Good Temptations"

"Sink Your Teeth into These"

"Bloody Good Recipes To Sink Your Teeth Into"

"Bloody Tempting Recipes"

"Human Digest"

“Prey Before You Eat”

"Chicken Soup for the Souless," "When Blood Won't do, Byrony Culinary Treats for the Earth Bound..."

"Heart, Hold the stake!!!"

"Delectable Toothsome"

"A Collection of Munsonville's Timeless Recipes"

The contest will run through May 31, 2011 until 12:00 am (midnight) EST time (North Carolina time). This gives all fans the opportunity to vote. However, there is a catch. You must be a Bryony Facebook fan to vote.

No, this isn't a ruse to up the fan count, but rather, some fun, with a perk, for those who have been faithfully following the page, in honor of Bryony's one-year Facebook anniversary earlier this month.

Other details are: You must comment on the Bryony Facebook page to enter a name or title; you can comment as often as you like; no foul language (posts will be deleted at admin discretion); and all entries will be reviewed by the author, who will decide the title from the entries.

Prize: A free copy of the cookbook signed by as many Bryony team members as possible at the time of publication.

Profits from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (http://www.bbbswillgrundy.org/).

To fan the Bryony Facebook page, visit www.facebook.com/BryonySeries

Happy Naming!

Color Roses & Their Meanings

"Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16

"And thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more." The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll.

Mr. Carroll was referring to oysters, but the lines certainly apply to my latest financial challenges: a gas bill that resembles the national debt; costly repairs for the van (not covered by warranty, of course); and various, sundry, miscellaneous expenses, all of which cost more than anticipated.

No, I'm not seeking pity. Rather, rejoice for me. These very circumstances permitted me to attend my niece and goddaughter's "Rite 13" ceremony yesterday.

When you deliver a gazillion newspapers on Sunday, assembling the troops for a worship service an hour away is impossible, so we submitted our regrets, but planned to attend the post-festivities afternoon barbecue. Then we did the math. We had one more person traveling than our most road-worthy vehicle could hold.

With current gas prices (and the inflated bill), no way was I putting two vehicles on the road. I decided to stay home and work instead (have plenty of that, praise God!), despite the ensuing chorus of objections. Then the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder. I called my mother, asked what time she was leaving, and invited myself for the ride.

That left me half an hour after papers to get ready, assemble a suitable gift for my niece, and drive twenty minutes away ( I was only ten minutes late, too!).

Boy, was my niece surprised and happy to see me! It was worth the stress.

Writing Bryony happened sort of like that.

When the recession arrived and the budget tightened harder than Melissa's corset, I realized I could do one of two things: stress out (was already heading in that direction) or find something distracting. Since John Simons, proper vampire that he is, had made himself a free nest in my brain for over two decades, I decided it was high time he earned his keep.

So, I wrote it. And when more bad news sounded, I put my hands over my ears and said, "La, la, la, la, la! I'm in Munsonville; I can't hear you!"






.

Nearer My God to Thee - Awesome Piano

2008 Chicago South Side Irish Parade

The Look by Sara Teasdale

The perfect poem for Bryony, by a poet born during Bryony's first year of married life.

The Look
By Sara Teasdale (1884 - 1933)

Strephon kissed me in the spring,
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.

Strephon’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts me night and day.

Josh Siegers of JKS Productions, Part 2

Josh Siegers of JKS Productions is assisting filmmaker Stephen Tuplin with the Bryony trailer and Bryony music video. In the final part of the interview, Josh talks specifically about Bryony production and his career goals and offers advice to other film students.

For more information visit http://www.jksproductions.com/.


6) How much of the Bryony storyline do you know?

   "I will be honest that I dont know much of the story. I only know as much as some of the Bryony fans will know from the work we have done in videos and photos for the book."


7) What are your impressions now, after filming?

   "My impressions on the book are very high just from getting the job as Director of Photography on all of the advertising jobs we were contracted for. It was very interesting to see the story line be told and acted out."


8) What reaction do you hope viewers will have?

   "I hope viewers will be able to see the passion behind the book and the creativity in it. The music video that was filmed was a live studio recording of a song from the album and I assure you that when you listen to it, you will want to replay it and replay it again. The beautiful work by the artist was simply amazing and will intrigue any viewer."


9) What are your long-term career goals?

   "Much of my work has been in live to tape music videos and in-studio interviews. I also have worked on many short films as the director and director of photography. However, my passion is in television, and with the experiences I have been blessed with, I have found a new passion: directing live productions. Directing shows allows you to make aesthetic decisions of how the show will be executed by the production team working with you. As a director I am a very easygoing guy, which creates a comfortable working atmosphere for my crew and allows us to deliver the best product as a team."


10 What advice would you give prospective film students?

   "If I was able to give some advice to prospective film students, I would say that if you are passionate about films, you need to take it under you and try to make your first film. Failing to make it is what we all will do, but soon you will become great at it. From then on, you will grow your talent even greater with every new experience that you will be blessed with."

Song # 6 Epic Piano Instrumental - "Escape" by James Onohan

Josh Siegers of JKS Productions, Part 1

Josh Siegers of JKS Productions is assisting filmmaker Stephen Tuplin with the Bryony trailer and Bryony music video. Today he talks about his company and how he became involved with the Bryony project.

For more information visit http://www.jksproductions.com/.


1) What is JKS Productions?

"KS Productions is a Production Company serving Orland Park, Illinois and surrounding South Chicago Suburbs. We specialize in Wedding Videography & Portrait Photography. No event is too big nor small for us to document! If you are looking for South Chicago Suburbs Wedding Videographer, we are just what you are looking for!"


2) When did you form your company and why?


   "JKS Productions started in 2009 when I was getting work experience in the South Suburbs of Chicago for videography and portraits. I decided instead of me saying, 'Josh Siegers will do the job for you!' I wanted to have a name under me to look more professional. After trying to come up with a business name for way to long, I finally went with my initials and called my company, JKS Productions."


3) When and how did your zeal for videography begin?

   "I started my filmmaking career when one Sunday, I was asked to substitute for someone’s technical directing shift at my church. I was 15 years old, and I had only worked the switcher once before. I sat down five minutes before show time and played around until I finally got the hang of it. Six years later, I am still involved in the audio and video team at the church, and it has given me many opportunities to work live shows, which has helped me hone my craft. At the age of 10 I was taking using my parents camera to film things around the house or family events. This is where I started my career in videography."


4) Why did you choose Tribeca Flashpoint to further your education?

   "I chose Tribeca Flashpoint because of the one day I was in my fathers car and on the radio, a comercial for the school came on and after they said what they did, me and my dads eyes both lit up and we looked right at each other with big eyes. We knew that this was the place for me to start my future!"


5) How did you become involved with the Bryony project?

   "A fellow student of mine from Tribeca Flashpoint, Stephen Tuplin, asked me to help him with a project he had a passion for. I tend to be picky with things that I work on, but when I heard about this project, I knew right away it was something different, and I needed to work on it! I am blessed that I got the opportunity to learn more about Bryony and the work that was put into it."

Matt Swaringim - Love. (Official Music Video)

The Paralytic

Yesterday, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was the "Sunday of the Paralytic," the Gospel reading of the man, paralyzed for thirty-eight years, who lies besides a pool, known for its miraculous healing...if you're the lucky first fellow in after an angel rippled the water. The problem was that this man had no one to place him into that water.

I think writers, so often, are like that paralyzed man. Our brains flood with ideas, but we wait for the right circumstances to begin writing (or for taking that good, hard look at our bad writing and start the process of self-editing and rewriting) and languish beside the pool of creativity.

However, when Jesus came along, he informed the paralytic that true healing came elsewhere. It's the same when facing a blank page. If we wait until we're bathed in muse, we'll probably have a long wait. The real business of writing comes from picking up our mats of excuses and getting some words on paper.

Like any journey, we'll take some wrong turns. Like the paralytic, we'll stumble at times, but that's common to anyone who decides to get up and walk. But if we just lie staring at our reflection, we'll never know the sweetness of the path.

Schubert-Liszt: Ave Maria performed by Sandro Russo on Liszt's 1862 Bech...

Dave Allen - Haunted house

My Favorite Poem about Mothers

Yes, I know it's a little late for Mother's Day, but it's Victorian era, so still appropriate.


Rock Me to Sleep

By Elizabeth Akers Allen 1832–1911



Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,

Make me a child again just for tonight!

Mother, come back from the echoless shore,

Take me again to your heart as of yore;

Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,

Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;

Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!

I am so weary of toil and of tears,—

Toil without recompense, tears all in vain,—

Take them, and give me my childhood again!

I have grown weary of dust and decay,—

Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away;

Weary of sowing for others to reap;—

Rock me to sleep, mother – rock me to sleep!



Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,

Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you!

Many a summer the grass has grown green,

Blossomed and faded, our faces between:

Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,

Long I tonight for your presence again.

Come from the silence so long and so deep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Over my heart, in the days that are flown,

No love like mother-love ever has shone;

No other worship abides and endures,—

Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:

None like a mother can charm away pain

From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.

Slumber’s soft calms o’er my heavy lids creep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,

Fall on your shoulders again as of old;

Let it drop over my forehead tonight,

Shading my faint eyes away from the light;

For with its sunny-edged shadows once more

Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;

Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Mother, dear mother, the years have been long

Since I last listened your lullaby song:

Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem

Womanhood’s years have been only a dream.

Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,

With your light lashes just sweeping my face,

Never hereafter to wake or to weep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!

Bryony Receives a Makeover

Over the next few weeks www.bryonyseries.com will be incorporating new variables. The newest is a color makeover. The Bryony business cards which are circulating in several areas have intoxicating shades of purple. Newcomers to Bryony rave over the design, color, and sleekness of the card. Purple is a significant color choice to the story, so the web administrator, Sarah Stegall, has been adding it onto the pages. The process was more time consuming than planned. There were a few snags, colors not showing up well, font hard to read, but everything seems smoothed out now.

Currently the timeline, Humane Society Page, Homepage, and Board of Trustees Page are receiving page overhauls. In fact, you may notice changes immediately on the Home Page. Feel free to comment with suggestions or things you'd like to see. With a book release in the nearing future, we are trying to whip everything into tip-top shape.

Sarah Stegall

Contest Selections (So Far)

Initial submissions for the Name the Bryony Cookbook contest are in:


"Taste of Munsonville""

"VAMPIRE DELITE"

"RECIPES FROM THE DARK."

"FOOD FROM THE DARKSIDE"

"Hold the Garlic"

"Deception in the Kitchen"

"Bloody Delights"

"Stakes and Snacks"

"Bloody Good Temptations"

"Sink Your Teeth into These"

"Bloody Good Recipes To Sink Your Teeth Into"

"Bloody Tempting Recipies"

"Human Digest"

“Prey Before You Eat”

"Chicken Soup for the Souless," "When Blood Won't do, Byrony Culinary Treats for the Earth Bound..."

"Heart, Hold the stake!!!"

"Delectable Toothsome"


"Hold the Garlic"

"A Collection of Munsonville's Timeless Recipes"


The contest will run until May 31, 2011 until 12:00 am (midnight) EST time (North Carolina time). This gives all fans the opportunity to vote. However, there is a catch. You must be a Bryony Facebook fan to vote.

No, this isn't a ruse to up the fan count, but rather, some fun, with a perk, for those who have been faithfully following the page, in honor of Bryony's one-year Facebook anniversary.

Other details are: You must comment to enter a name or title; you can comment as often as you like; no foul language (posts will be deleted at admin discretion); and all entries will be reviewed by the author.

Prize: A free copy of the cookbook signed by as many Bryony team members as possible at the time of publication.

To fan the Bryony Facebook page, visit www.facebook.com/BryonySeries

Happy Naming!

Details for the "Name the Bryony Cookbook" Contest.

In honor of Bryony's one-year annivesary on Facebook, we have initiated a contest to name the upcoming cookbook.

This cookbook will be an eclectic compilations of (mostly) Victorian-era and '70s stylish recipes, complete with story teasers (appetizers) and Kathleen Rose Van Pelts (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/) signature pen and ink drawings (treats) Recipes will be arranged according to events in Bryony and will not be grouped by subject.

However, there is a catch. The contest is only open to Bryony Facebook fans. To "like" the page and submit your suggestion, visit www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. All (any) profits from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (http://www.bbbswillgrundy.org/).

Contest rules: You must comment to enter a name or title; you may comment as often as you like; no foul language (posts will be deleted at administrator discretion); and all entries will be reviewed by the author.

The winner receives a free copy of the cookbook with the signatures of as many members of the Bryony team as possible at time of publication.

Name the Bryony Cookbook contest will run until May 31, 2011 until 12:00 am (midnight) EST time (North Carolina time). This gives all fans the opportunity to vote.

We've already received a number of clever/intersting/amusing title possibilities. Tomorrow, we will post them.

Happy Naming!

Facebook BryonySeries is a Year Old Today!

It's been one year since Sarah Stegall created a web administrator position for herself by designing a Facebook page for Bryony and surprising the author with it.

Along with a minimum of fun, twice-daily posts, the Bryony Facebook page features sneak peeks into book production, Bryony cookbook information, the evolution of a book cover, Bryony's interior pen and ink drawings, stills from the Bryony book trailer and Bryony music video, rejected tag lines, fantasy pics of Munsonville, and a bevy of whimsical treats regarding Bryony in particular and vampires in general.

It's now 236 fans strong, so if you haven't "liked" the page, today is a good day for it, since we'll be adding extra celebratory posts throughout the day and a contest specifically for Bryony Facebook fans.

Come find us at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries and join the party!