Blogtoberfest

Happy Fall y'all! 

After a long, hot summer, we've finally set foot into my favorite time of year. I'm not sure what I like most about the months of September, October and November. There's so much to choose from amongst the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and outdoor activities.

For as long as I can remember, I've had a thing about fall, especially October, and the weeks leading up to my favorite holiday, Halloween. Besides spending at least a week designing the face for my jack o' lantern, and deciding what my costume would be, I loved drawing spooky pictures, creating window decorations from construction paper and coming up with stories to celebrate the holiday.

I feel a tremendous pull from those things again this year, and Monkey Pants will play a major role. I have decided that each week in the month of October, I will post a short piece of original horror fiction here. If time allows, I'll also put up a drawing that may or may not accompany that week's story.

I'm really excited (and a little nervous) about the possibilities. I've already got a few story ideas floating around in my noggin, and I'll be starting on the first one in the next day or so.

Check back here after the first, and let me know your thoughts about what you see and read. In the mean time, as the chilling wind blows the fall leaves against the windows and down the street outside you home, snuggle in with a steaming cup of cider, and handful of fun-size Snickers and a good scary book or movie. That's what I plan to do.

The horror

I've been thinking a lot about horror.

It's probably the best category for what I write, but when I compare my work to titles at the book store, or reviewed in articles on horror fiction, I wonder. My books and stories don't have vampires, werewolves, zombies or psychopathic killers in them. Does that mean they're not horror (or horrific)?

I remember when my fascination with horror stories began. I was in 7th grade, and my school bus drive leant me her copy of Stephen King's Salem's Lot. It was dogeared and missing the cover, and I didn't care. I devoured it. I still remember how chilling some of the scenes were and how brilliant I thought the writing was.

From there, I moved on to the other Stephen King books. Then I discovered Dean Koontz, Robert R. McCammon, John Skipp & Craig Spector, Peter Straub, John Saul, and Lisa Cantrell. I was a slow reader, but I couldn't get enough.

I liked my horror creepy, supernatural, and just slightly on the messy side. I still do. The spooky stuff that inhabits the dark (and sometimes brilliantly lit) parts of our lives, captured my heart, and my imagination. I began to formulate stories of my own. For years, none of then ever made it onto a page. I was either intimidated or unmotivated to write, so I let the ideas come and then go.

Now, here I am, actively writing, with the hope of being published. I've returned to the stories inspired by the authors I read and loved all those years ago, but I worry about whether there's a place for them in today's world of over-the-top, gross out terror?

I've gotten used to marching to my own beat, but wonder if there's an audience with the same taste and aesthetic? I guess only time will tell. In the mean time, I will continue to write what I "see", and hope I have my chance to entertain and inspire someone like the authors who did it for me.

Where has the time gone?

This blog is suffering from severe neglect (as you can see by the date of my last post). I think it's also suffering from something of an identity crisis. When I began this project years back, it was with the purpose of highlighting my artwork, and chronically my journey as I rediscovered being an artists Since then my focus has changed. Instead of being an artist who likes to write, I've discovered that what I really am is a writer, who loves to make art.

Now the question is, what to do about things here at Monkey Pants. Physically you will see a slight alteration to the header. I plan to drop the "Designs" portion, which was intended for my artwork only. I've also changed up the tag line and description to reflect where things are going. Aside from that, the look of things should remain much the same for now. I'm incubating future alterations in the look of this blog, and will begin rolling that out as it becomes more clear for me.

The content of the posts will see the most notable change. Whereas artwork, and discussion of things happening in the studio (though I admit there was never a whole lot of that), was to be the primary purpose of Monkey Pants, discussion of my life as a writer, and what I am working on in that regard will be what you'll find here now. From time to time, I'll also be putting up posts on things that I've discovered that excite and inspire me in my creative life.

Now, I'm not saying I'm be packing away my paper clay, brushes and paints. I still intend to mess around in my little studio. You'll see just what comes out of those moments from time to time. As soon as I can figure out just how it will work, the blog will evolve again as a hybrid of my two creative worlds. Art features prominently in the world I've created for my books, and the hope is to eventually make the art that shows up in my books, and share it will all of you. I'm excited about the possibilities.

I never had a lot of regular followers, but I hope that those I do have will hang in here with me. I may need your help and suggestions to make Monkey Pants into a worthwhile place to stop by for a visit! I hope too that I can eventually attract the attention of new readers. (Maybe when my books get published!) I'll be back with a new post in about a week. Still some things to figure out at this end regarding the shift. In the mean time, stay cool (if you're dealing with the current heat wave), and I see you back here very soon!

A Little Magic in the Mix

Well, it's February, and though we have had a very mild winter (little snow and above average temps), I am done feeling the need to hibernate, and am ready to be inspired and motivated to take on some new projects.

I have been writing regularly, having given myself the challenge of writing at least 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days. The idea is to have writing be something that I do every day, especially as I finish the first draft of my book and begin the revision and editing process. I really enjoy starting my day with time spent writing. It set a good tone, and I find it to be a good companion to my morning mediation practice.

As a supplement to the monthly writer's group I am a part of, I have begun scheduling write-in session once a month. The first one, held at a local coffee shop, brought three other writers out for some co-creative energy swapping. It was a positive experience for all of us, so I am doing it again this coming weekend. It is my hope that we can get to know each other better, continue to offer support and suggestions when needed, and create an even stronger community to inspire and keep us on track.

Harry Houdini

As for art, I am still working on a few commissions, and putting together ideas for some new multi media paintings, and dimensional pieces. My wife, daughter and I attended a new art gallery show in Madison yesterday called "Houdini: Art and Magic." It featured props and memorabilia from Houdini's career in addition to video footage and artwork inspired by Houdini and his illusions. My mind is swimming with ideas for artwork that uses magic, and vaudevillian style entertainment as a focus. I am excited to get started. Expect to see some pics of works in progress here very soon.

As always, thanks for following me here at Monkey Pants. Stay warm and take care of yourselves.

In honor of 2012

As the start of a new year once again approaches, I am reminded of the intentions I set here not so long ago.

New Years "Intentions" for 2011 (I prefer intention to resolution.)

1. Embrace the quirkiness.

2. Feed the creativity.

3. Fill up on positivity.

4. Enjoy the ride!

Hard to find fault with any of these, and for that reason, I choose to renew these intentions on the advent of 2012. They still feel right to me as I try them on. It is very clear that this is the year that it all comes to fruition, and that I move closer to getting published. The first draft of my current book is nearly complete, and I know that it will soon be time to start the revisions, making it ready to send off for consideration by agent and editor 

alike. Wish me luck.

So as not to make this all about me, I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. Be safe, be sound and above all be well. Thanks for following me on my journey. Just knowing that you are there inspires me. 

Here's a toast to new beginnings!

See you around.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely, Chris

Christmas 2011

I've really let this blog go stale since my last post, and for that I apologize. Most of my creative efforts over the last few months have gone into my writing, and because there's not much I can show for that, I've not been keeping up with regular contributions to Monkey Pants. I hereby renew my intention, and recommit to summarizing my projects in this blog, both the successes and the missteps.

I look forward to developing Monkey Pants further in 2012. I think that it has considerable potential as a forum for me to share with you the things I am spending my time with, as well as letting you know my thoughts on my creative life, and how I am finding a way to mix the written with the visual.

With that said and out of the way, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! May you rediscover some of the simple magic in this time of the year. Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to enjoy the many wonders of the season, (I know that I shall.) and remember the reason why we celebrate.

One again, my best holiday wishes to you and yours. See you again around New Year's Day!

The Christmas tree at Woodward Governor in 
Rockford, Illinois. A favorite childhood memory of mine.

Change of plans

I am embarrassed to say that my Doodle a Day challenge is not going well only 8 days in. I think that it is due in part to the fact that I hate my list of suggested drawings. I thought I could overcome that, but I am truly uninspired. For now I will try another source, and maybe just draw whatever I want at any given time. Being that we are in my favorite season, and nearing my favorite holiday, you will probably see lots drawing reflecting that. (It'll be like when I was a kid doing Halloween artwork for my bedroom door.)

If I don't have time today for scanning and posting, (We are in high preparation mode for our German exchange student who is arriving tomorrow.) I will post again later in the week with a few drawings. I am disappointed that this didn't work out as I planned. Maybe I bit off more than I can chew. After NaNoWrimo and the busyness of the holidays, I will give a daily drawing challenge another shot. Will give me some time to research a better suggested topic list!