Wednesday, October 21, 2009

HBT - Guest post with author Katie Alender


Please read this post!! It's one of my most favorite author guest posts!


Today's Haunted Blog Tour is a guest post with author, Katie Alender! She is the author of the young-adult novel "Bad Girls Don't Die", which was published this year.

"Being the Character", by Katie Alender

Halloween always makes me feel guilty. This is probably tied to my somewhat questionable sense of personal style. You see, when you see Halloween costumes for women, they're usually tiny body suits with bunny tails or long, clingy Elvira dresses. When we go to Halloween parties, we're surrounded by women like this, showing off their assets in teensy-weensy leotards.

But not me. Oh, no, not me.

For example, last year? I was a nun (NOT a sexy nun--a convinving nun). Before that, I was a Dalmatian (to match my dog, Winston--he's not a Dalmatian, but he dressed like one, too.) And before that? I was a farmer.

So, yeah, I feel a pinch of guilt. Because while most men probably want a
hippity-hoppity leotard bunny at their sides, my husband is the one with the girl dressed as one-eyed Leela from "Futurama"--bumping into things, losing my cardboard eye, having major purple hairspray malfunctions...

Dressing up for Halloween is about playing a character. As a writer, I'm quite comfortable it. And I must say, the characters who are the most fun to "play" aren't the perfect bunnies in shiny leotards, or the "she'd never be allowed to wear a skirt that short in Kansas" sexy Dorothys.
They're the nuns, and the farmers, and the outcasts with one eye. They're the real people, who aren't necessarily cute and flirty, but have a story to tell. You know just by looking at them (or thinking about them, as an author).

But okay, that's not the only reason. I'm also not quite the bunny-suit type. The last time I wore any kind of leotard in public was probably 1989, to a gymnastics class where I most certainly got stuck trying to flip over the uneven parallel bars (my gymnastics career was quite short-lived).

I don't know what I'm going to be this year. I"m sort of looking forward to it and sort of not. My husband is lucky; he's always the same thing. He has a foam milk carton that he puts on his head, and his face is the 'missing person'. It's great, because it makes him about seven feet tall and I can spot him from across the party.

I don't have anything against the ladies who like to get out there work it in their sassy costumes. But I must say, when I'm hanging out in my nun garb (and--the best part!--sensible, comfortable shoes), and I see a Victorian zombie bride come in, covered in lace to her chin, wrists, and ankles, and so gory that she couldn't possible be considered tempting to anyone but her zombie groom, my heart does a happy little dance.

And I think, "Now there's someone with a story!"


6 comments:

  1. Ha ha! That's very close to his milk carton, only his is just head-sized. Very efficient. This year I bought him a Spiderman tee-shirt to go with it, we'll be the hit of the parties!

    I had a great time being part of your Haunted Blog Tour!

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  2. LOL! You have a great sense of humor Katie. Those are some great costumes. I especially loved the Dalmation one. Reminds me of when I was a little girl and my mom dressed mytwin sister and me as pink bunnies.

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  3. Mary D

    Katie - I've got to tell you that the ONE gift I asked for from my sweet bf for my August birthday was YOUR book - Bad Girls Don't Die! Absolute truth, I loved it and was so happy he got it for me :) You are such a terrific writer, please keep it coming Katie!

    And love the milk carton costume hehe

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  4. I love it! I am not a costume person probably because I'd rather go as something creative and fun not something cute and sexy. I have to agree with the shoes, most moms were rather jealous I had comfortable feet last night while they were all in high heels or high heel boots or similar and ready to be done. You know what they'll all dress up as next year though, right? ;)

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  5. I'm exactly the same way when I dress up for halloween. I'd rather wear something interesting and creative than sexy and tight. A few years ago I was the Wicked Witch from the wizard of Oz and I didn't dress in a sexy way- I pained my whole face green(not sexy at all)lol!

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Thanks, I love what you have to say!