Slowly built one rung at a time, the ladder to the diving board was tall; the climb has been long. But now I feel like I’m perched on the edge of the platform, testing the spring beneath me as I prepare to launch into the thrilling leap of faith that is going fully freelance (for the second time in my career).

Since the devastating fire of 2012, I have been working steadily to recreate a secure home and financial situation, whilst rechannelling my creative energies away from theatre production and into circus advocacy.

I’m the proud mother of the UK’s only publication dedicated to circus reviews and industry focused news, and even prouder of the messages of appreciation I get from artists, producers, programmers, funders and fans who had been crying out for such a resource. My desire to satisfy demand, and the increasing presence of circus within the UK have convinced me it’s time to jack in the day job (sorry Laser Quest. I’ll miss you), and figure out a way to make the venture sustainable.

Over the course of this year, I’ve been recognised for my work in various gratifying ways. I was a Regional Finalist in The Stage Critic Search competition; I’ve been asked to deliver circus criticism workshops by Theatre Royal Winchester and Circus City festival; I’ve been resident writer at Greenbelt festival of arts, faith and justice; I’ve been part of the team of assessors for the Total Theatre Awards at Edinburgh Fringe.

This week I launched a fundraising campaign to try and encourage those users of my website to contribute towards its existence (Crowdfunding is creative too!), and I have some ideas bubbling over about other potential funding sources.

In the meantime, I’m still visiting hospitals around the UK as Dr Glow, a Giggle Doctor with Theodora Children’s Charity, and I’ll still be doing my stints out in Holland putting on plays with Dutch school students for Phileas Fogg Theatre. Figuring out where else the money is going to come from is just another part of the creative process in being an arts freelancer.

It may be unrealistic to expect my leap into the void to result in flight, but I will certainly make sure I fall with style. And whether I make a big splash or just slide in smoothly, I will send ripples outwards, inspiring and encouraging more artists still building their own ladders.