In case you’re wondering, November 1, 2016 is National Calzone Day, National Author’s Day, National Brush Day, and National Family Literacy Day. Guess which one I’m going to write about? Brushes of course! Brushes are so versatile. Alright, I’m joking. Obviously, since I am a newly published author (The Travelers, check it out!) and avid reader, I am more excited about National Author’s Day than National Brush Day. Therefore, I want to celebrate authors and their fantastic thoughts and ideas.
It's finally Halloween! My house didn't get egged or TP'd last night. So I guess my neighborhood had a quiet Mischief Night. Now comes the fun part! I can't wait to watch all the kids suit up and threaten to play tricks on people unless they give them treats. It's a weird sort of custom when you think about it. (So I try not to think about it.) Since it's Halloween, here are my 13 (seemed like an appropriate number) favorite Halloween costumes based on literary characters.
Halloween is so soon. And what would my 13 days of Halloween blog be without at least one ode to undead bloodsuckers? From literature to TV to film, the popularity of these pervasive mythical monsters is unstoppable. I am not only a vampire fangirl. I also do my part to continue this cultural fondness for the fang. I’ve even sired a new vampire story fan—my 11-year-old daughter, who recently sank her teeth into ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reruns. (While she thinks Buffy kicks butt she also keeps asking my why that Angel guy never wears his shirt.) Where did my fang-tastic obsession begin?
Only 3 days to go until Halloween. Now adults can have fun on Halloween. (It's allowed. Don't feel bad.) But, let’s face it, kids relish dressing up in costumes and stuffing themselves full of candy more than most of their adult counterparts. (I said most, not all.) In honor of that, here’s a list of great kid’s books to get those tots in the Halloween spirit. Don’t have young kids? Shhhh, don’t tell anyone but some of these will make even adults laugh.
Why do we read scary books and sit in dark rooms watching horror movies? Are we just morons? Let's assume in general we're a smart species. If that's the case, what draws us to haunted houses and movies about ax murders? Why are writers like Stephen King and R. L. Stein so popular? I think to understand that, we need to take a lesson from psychology.
One of my favorite Halloween traditions is watching The Simpsons 'Treehouse of Horror'. This year 'Treehouse of Horror XXVII' already aired on October 16. But it's the year 2016 and if you haven't seen it yet, it's pretty easy to figure out a way. Or, if you prefer, check out one of the classic episodes from earlier seasons. Not sure which one to watch since there are 27 of them? Stay tuned and I'll help you out.
It’s the weekend and only 8 days left until Halloween. Can’t think of anything to do this weekend? Why not go to a haunted house? Sure, it’s strange to go somewhere with the goal of intentionally being scared out of your mind. And, yet, we do it and we love it. In fact, our cultural obsession goes well beyond the ghostly and ghoulish temporary creations erected for Halloween.
K.L. Kranes 