Literary Tricks and Treats

It’s here! There’s color in the leaves, cornflower blue in the sky, and I’m ready to sit in front of a roaring fire pit to sip hot chocolate. The icky-sticky air is gone like a bad penny and the cool delights of fall have arrived. My windows are open and I’ve put on my comfy stretchy sweatpants (no more zippered shorts judging me) along with a lightweight jacket. Bliss.

Because a big chunk of October has been baked by August-like temperatures, you may not realize Halloween is a mere thirteen (yes thirteen!) days away. What? You don’t have a costume yet? Do not fear. I’ve got you covered.

The way I see it there are two options for Halloween. You can dress up with the intent to strike suspicion or fear into the eyes of anyone who sees you.

Circa 1910 hoodlums. Bain News Services/Library of Congress

Or, you can be ever so clever by dressing as a  character from one of your favorite books.

The possibilities are limitless. There are children’s books. There are novels of every genre from mysteries to horror to romance to westerns to historical. You could even pick an author for inspiration and amaze your friends with your witty and fascinating literary knowledge.  In other words, you could dress up as Carrie, or you could be Stephen King.

Mr. Poe, I presume? Pinterest photo.

To  start you thinking, here are some ideas which I found on Pinterest. Click HERE to see many more.

You’ll need an assistant nearby to survive an evening in this ensemble.

Halloween isn’t only for humans. Don’t forget your canine or feline friend. They like to get into the spirit of things too. For example, take a look at Winston portraying the lead character in There Was an Old Sailor. He actually cooperated for the photo. Sort of.

Ah, the delights of the season. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Yo-ho-ho.

One final reminder! I’ll be drawing a winner on October 25 (one week from today) for a $25 Amazon gift card from my list of subscribers. If you haven’t signed up yet (upper right hand box), it’s not too late.

14 Responses

  1. This is a timely post, Pat. The hubster and I are going to a Halloween party in our new neighborhood and have to dress up. I hadn’t thought about the literary choices, but there are many, and I might be able to think up a good “punny” costume from that suggestion. I’ll let you know. 🙂 And Winston looks adorable!

    1. That’s so cool, Lisa! Definitely let me know if you decide to do something “bookish”.

  2. When I was in grad school, a professor offered extra credit on Halloween to anyone who dressed up as a line from John Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale.” I wore one of my old strappy prom dresses and added sheer, flowing sleeves with silver stars along with a tiara and one of those fake naked “behinds” you can get at costume shops. I was the “Queen-Moon…Cluster’d around by all her starry Fays.” I was little embarrassed as I ran across campus to another class, but I got my extra credit. 🙂

    1. That is a spectacular idea, Sarah! I hope you kept photographic evidence of your extra credit project.

  3. It’s not very “literary” but I have a friend who is making an Audrey II costume (from “The Little Shop of Horrors”) and her husband is going as The Dentist.

    1. Love that idea, Sioux! It may not be literary, but musicals certainly do tell a story.

  4. Winston is such a cutie!
    Friend is a librarian who encourages others to dress as characters.
    So, are you dressing in costume? Mr & Mrs. James, per chance?

    1. No dressing up for me, Linda! I’m planning to go trick or treating with my cute little buddy. He’s got an adorable cow costume. 🙂

  5. That photo of the woman in the Twilight book cracks me up. I have to say that my costumes are never very creative or literary, but maybe I can strive to do better next year! 🙂

    1. Seems like I remember you posting pictures of some interesting costumes in the the past, Margo. Not surprisingly, you are quite creative!

  6. Halloween has become a big holiday over the past several years. I love the chap dressed up like Edgar Allen Poe, and the raven on his shoulder is an extra nice touch. I’ve never done anything as daring as Sarah, although I’d love to see the photos, but for one Halloween party Walt went dressed as a priest and I was a blue nun. We had a good time and got lots of chuckles.
    Winston really gets into character, doesn’t he.

    1. You’re right, Donna. Many folks call Halloween their favorite holiday of the year. I guess it gives people a chance to play dress up just like they did when they were kids.

      I hope someone took pictures of you and Walt decked out in those costumes!

  7. What a creative post, Pat — and some really inventive ideas! Have been meaning to visit your new website for a while now, but things have been pretty crazy for me lately. Signing up to receive your posts. Be easier to remember if I’m reminded 😉

    Congratulations again on the novel. Look forward to reading it. And the picture book with Sheree looks great — a Christmas gift for my grandbabies!

    1. Teri, so great to hear from you! Thanks for following my blog. I’m the same way. When notice arrives in my mailbox I can respond. Otherwise it’s lost in the snowstorm of my mind.

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