It starts out small: A simple, non-threatening closet full of normality. Clothes, books, paper, tools, etc. This is my double door closet located in my studio. It houses all of these things, acting mainly as a clothing closet. On a good day the doors are shut. On a great day, there is no shutting them from the clutter spilling forth. These are the stages of my closet monster while writing/illustrating of Moo-Pig. It applies to most any project I take on.
Stage 1:When I first started the book, I maintained the closet well. It featured plenty of clean clothes put in their proper place, books on their shelves, a stock of paper including illustration board, canvases, etc, and an eclectic collection of cloth, ping pong balls, fur, and socks that comprise my puppet making stash. I made time to maintain it. I would put away anything out of place before beginning work.
Stage 2: Here I began to get into the project deeper. Not only writing, but beginning to illustrate. I tackled the tough questions such as “When I take my socks off, do I throw them in the floor and start work or put them away properly and THEN start work?” Of course the later won out. But I would make time after work to put them away. Still, the piles of laundry began to grow larger between washes.
Stage 3: Down to the nitty gritty with Moo-Pig. Here the words are starting to come together with the pictures. Ideas are flying, words are flying, socks are flying! Time to put away socks? NO, throw them in the floor, I will get them later. Maybe. Oh no, closet monster starting to creep out. Fight him back. I will throw the clothes in the closet floor, no time to throw them in the dirty clothesbasket. Back I say, BACK. Things are getting better.
Stage 4: I start to really cook with Moo-Pig (there has to be a better wording for this).Oh boy. There is just no keeping those folding closet doors closed. This just won’t do. Books thrown down, clothes thrown down, puppet materials starting to seep out. What should I do? I must keep my studio clean. But every time I try to close those pesky doors, they spring open. SOLUTION. A smartly placed pair of shoes or better yet, one of Aubreigh’s abundant toys will keep them closed. Ah, I have fought back the closet monster and work proceeds.
Stage 5: I’m seeing the finish line. Moo-Pig is about done. My closet is done too. It spews forth like a great waterfall bursting over the dam of creativity. Socks are flying across the room, smacking the wall. Ping Pong balls everywhere. Need a book? There is a trail leading from closet to desk that even Hansel and Gretel could not lose. Laundry? Who has time to do laundry? Still have a few spare clothes. So what if I wear green shorts and a bright pink shirt? Creativity is happening.
Stage 6: The finish line. Moo-Pig is done. The great thriving closet monster has reared its beautiful/ugly self in the messiest possible way. It’s a war zone in here! Down to my last t-shirt. You know, the one I had in college with the pink bunny and the pizza stain. I’m not out to make a fashion statement here. It will go well with my plaid shorts. No need for matching socks. As long as they are tubical and fit on my foot, they match. My chair has stopped rolling, tangled in a variable cornucopia of closetzilla. There is no hope of finding anything in here. Where is Aubreigh? Oh no, lost in the closet monster. No, WORSE, helping the closet monster grow by pulling everything off the shelves. That’s ok, let it grow and DONE.
Yes, on a good day you will find my closet doors shut in my studio. But on great days like this…days when stories come to life, I fully embrace the closet monster for what it is: a reflection of my creativity. Now, I must go wash clothes. These purple spandex pants are clashing with my flannel bright green Kermit the frog pajama top.
