It is extraordinary how blank your mind can go when you are doing (a) repetitive tasks or (b) repetitive tasks where you shouldn't let your mind go blank! It is a little like going through the process of helping your thought processes switch from the left hand side of your brain to the right hand side when you are working on illustrations.
Today, after three hours, I felt as though I had nearly reached a trance like state. I felt as though I was partially elevated in my seat, and a sense of detachment. Rather than snapping myself out of it, I relished it, realising it is in this mode when you can have the clearest and the best thoughts!
Prior to this, I had started the day with the intention of working, working, working. I had gotten into a complete tangle, making the next stage for Child Writes bigger than Ben Hur - to the point it seems as though the road ahead is so daunting, I found myself wishing for a magic wand to make it go away.
I mean, the idea of making something much bigger of Child Writes has always been there. No, I am talking about introducing a massively viable commercial arm where as publisher, Boogie Books begins to work with it's stable of authors, produces at least ten titles in the first instance in a free standing promotional stand, distributed to book stores nationwide. The proceeds will ensure tutors can be employed and subsequently gifted to other schools and VOILA - there are hundreds of titles being produced each year through the Child Writes program.
Whilst I may regret telling you .... I am not sure if I am the one man band to achieve all of this today. I mean, I am the girl who still manages, in the course of preparing an evening meal, to burn the potatoes! I have a tendency to get distracted easily!
So - my ephiphany ... back to the drawing board. I am going to seek funding to simply reprint the collection so far and distribute the books (free of charge!) to any location where children are in crisis.
Honestly – why did I make it so complicated?
Often the first thought is the best one. Even if you need to find that thought again!