On concentration:
The concentration of a small child at play is analogous to the concentration of the artist of any discipline. In real play, which is real concentration,
the child is not only outside time, he is outside *himself.* He has thrown himself completely into whatever it is that he is doing. A child playing a game,
building a sand castle, painting a picture, is completely *in* what he is doing. His *self*-consciousness is gone; his consciousness is wholly focused
outside himself.
(Madeleine L'Engle, A CIRCLE OF QUIET, p. 10)
When it's a child, we call it play. When it's an adult, it becomes a hobby, assuming it's still appropriate. Adults aren't permitted to play with dolls, although it might be a useful pursuit... Just think what an author might be able to do if she was "allowed" to "play out" her scenes before committing them to writing...
