Have you ever felt so tired that reminiscing about how hard you’ve pushed yourself the past week seems like more work than it’s worth?
And yet, you didn’t think you’d done much. Just an ordinary week of rising early, setting your mind on your to-do list, and falling into bed each night completely exhausted.
I booked vacation time last week to work on my new children’s picture book. If I ever complained that my day job was tiring — what with its constant interactions with others — I now know it’s nothing compared to focusing on a project aimed at perfection.
Perfection doesn’t exist. But striving for it does.
I’m having the time of my writing life pursuing my dream of creating a picture book as part of my legacy. The story is complete with a few last-minute tweaks here and there, but the illustrations are the tricky part.
My mother has drawn for as long as I can remember. She’s a talented artist with a draw-for-herself mindset.
Now, I’ve asked her the unthinkable. To come out of hiding and into the limelight, so this book becomes a family affair for our grand and great-grandchildren. It’s a dream come true to work so closely together.
But creating illustrations by two old-fashioned women doesn’t come without setbacks. Our original sketches included characters dressed from the 70s and a television set with bunny ears. What was I thinking when I suggested it?
Fortunately, we have critics guiding us in the right direction.
Did I mention that illustrating is hard?
I have a deep respect for those in the field. Hiring a professional illustrator could make my job easier, but that would remove the book’s ultimate purpose.
What better way to create a legacy than to create memories while creating the finished product?
That’s a lot of creating. And that’s the goal — to end up with a self-published finished product that proudly bears my name.
I’m striving for perfection, and it’s utterly exhausting. But anything worthwhile is, and I won’t stop until it’s my grandchildren’s favourite book on their shelf.
That will be when I know it’s ready for yours.
This month I’ve not only written stories but also dabbled in writing jokes. Who doesn’t love to laugh? So here they are for your enjoyment.
The first set was written when I couldn’t sleep.
The second set was written because I was still feeling silly.
Summer is ending, and with it comes wasp season. But also the beautiful colours of fall.
I’ll see you next month.
What an intense week you have had, Karen! I love the idea of your mother doing the illustrations.
Well said. The journey to perfection is exhausting, but the dedication you're putting into it is a testament to your commitment. Involving your mother in the process and turning it into a family affair adds a beautiful dimension to it. Keep striving, I have no doubt the final product will be a shining example of how great things are achieved through hard work and love.