Introduction

It’s now November and Halloween season has officially passed! I had a blast going out to a bar crawl with my friend and having a Goth Tea Party the next day. It made me think about the idea of costumes. Why do we love them so much?

Why I love costumes

Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved to dress up. To be someone else. To live in different worlds. This shouldn't come as a surprise. I did become a writer, after all. Someone who trafficks in different worlds.

But why? What was the appeal?

I think part of it was transportative. In a costume, I could be someone else. Live a different life. Apparently that life was a princess, at least until I was nine. Then I decided to be the Grim Reaper and my spooky side came out full force. But the idea was, I could pretend. Cast off the trappings of C.J. and not worry about her worries.

Costumes also make you invisible, but in the best way. This weekend, I complimented so many people on their costumes, even though I'm pretty shy normally. Because I was wearing my own costume. I was invisible. I was a woodland fairy. I couldn't be hurt or rejected. And perhaps these people were more receptive because they, too, were invislble for a night.

There's a dark side to invisibility, of course. We see that in the way that criminals wear masks. But when it's Halloween, Carnevale, Mardis Gras, when there is a fun veneer, it can be a chance to lower inhibitions in a safe, friendly way.

Then there's the third thing. Maybe costumes aren't just disguise. Maybe they're the truest reality. When I'm in costume, I often feel more like myself than I ever do in real life, where I'm restricted to black pants and work blouses and maybe a little glitter. I feel glorious, and alive. Costumes can open us to our true selves as much as they can transport us into other selves.

Nothing I'm saying here is profound. People smarter than me have written academic papers on it. But as we close out spooky season, I just wanted to reflect on why costumes are so important to me. So…

Why are costumes important to you? What is a favorite costume you’ve worn?

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But wait! There’s more!

C.J.’s Corner

Welcome to a feature of every newsletter! Get to know me and what I’m up to. Read it all or skip to your favorite section.

I’m writing | I’m reading | I’m watching | I’m listening | I’m playing | I’m doing 

I’m writing:

Hey, looks kind of like last month. Things take time I guess.

• Necro WIP is done for now and I’m querying it again. I have parted ways with my agent and am back on the market. I am also querying my adult horror novel, now named And the Dark Will Know My Name. For more info on Necro aka The Shattered City as well as And the Dark Will Know My Name, check out the new section of my website.

• I’m (still) working on a short story about a girl whose grandfather keeps hearts in jars. Still. I swear I’m going to submit it this month.

• The official TOC for Enter Here: An Anthology of Portals is up! I’m so blown away by the response this project has gotten. Everything, however, is taking twice as long as M. and I expected, so please bear with us. We’re working behind the scenes, editing and drawing and formatting! M. has made some amazing doors for our headers. I can’t wait to share them with you!

• I guess it’s time to write a new novel. Enter: Priest of Teeth, a dark fantasy (adult) about a lowly priest who wants to claim a higher position—but it might get him killed trying. Also there’s a hot mercenary who is trying to protect him—but she has her own troubles. Read about it more on my website! I'm 3000 words in and trucking!

I’m reading:

At least two things, because I have no chill.

I finished The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty and really enjoyed it! Some of the dialogue was a bit over the top, but I loved the characters, the mystery, the cat-and-mouse with the detective. The exorcism itself was almost an afterthought—but still very cool.

I’m watching:

Last month was October so that means 31 days of horror movies! I got off track due to fun activities, but I still watched some amazing movies! Here’s what I’ve been up to since my last update. It won’t make this update, but I also plan on watching an all-time favorite, V for Vendetta, for November 5.

I’m listening:

I’m still on my nu metal bullshit, currently listening to my Priest of Teeth soundtrack which has a lot of Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, and Disturbed on it, among other similar things.

Last concert: Papa Roach / Rise Against / Underoath

I’m playing:

Still haven’t booted up my Switch, but I’m thinking about getting back into Skyrim over the winter. Seems like a good timesuck.

I’m doing:

Still doing a lot of crochet! Here’s me in the hat I made! I do not know how to make this smaller, so here is a huge photo of my FACE.

I also had a great time at the Renaissance Faire with my writer friend Whitley! Aren’t we cute? Yes, I bought a dagger.

That’s all for now!

If you like my words, don’t forget to subscribe!