Two projects on my plate:
One involves working with a class of preschoolers to create a piece of art. Every child will contribute. I keep the thing on track and on budget. I can give them colors and paper and brushes, but can't control what they will do with them. Still, it's up to me to make the final product beautiful, cohesive.
The other involves working with 9 other highly-qualified professionals in my line of work. Each of us will contribute. I have a deadline and a word count. The higher ups have provided themes and ideas. Our job is to make the final product beautiful, cohesive, and delivered on time.
The vagueness of each weighs on my mind. Ten days from deadline, I wish the outlines were more apparent. But I sometimes use paints and paper to muddle my way through story structure, and there is an odd comfort now to the instability of both pieces. To parallel a favorite poet: If the ground held still, we'd have no need for balance. You only seek your footing when the ground is unstable.
