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A month in and already some big changes are here.
I made the decision to revert my pen name from C. L. Taylor to Cas Taylor. While both are derivations of my legal name, it came to my attention that I share a name with a bestselling author. At some point, I’ll collect my previous written work into a standalone anthology and republish under Cas Taylor. Watch this space for news.
I’ve also completed my Covid-era chapbook, Was It Because I Wore Sweatpants.
Sweatpants is a collection of creative nonfiction that delves into the intersection of deep personal trauma, grief, and resilience, thematically organized into three parts: Sick Love, Sick, and Healing. It is centrally concerned with the enduring pain and psychological aftermath of abuse, loss, and self-harm, alongside the systemic invalidation experienced with chronic illness and medical trauma, specifically referencing Ehlers-Danlos, cervical dystonia, and dismissive medical professionals.
The poems also explore the complexities of love, intimacy, and connection amidst great emotional and physical distance.
Ultimately, the chapbook documents a journey toward hard-won healing and self-acceptance, focusing on finding refuge in small, real moments of goodness and letting go of the pursuit of perfection.
I’m also deep into the finishing touches for Maybe, Mabel and rounding up a series of personal essays on grief work and disability while completing requirements for the Creative Writing program at UCLA.
Until next time, happy writing.