I have had a piece outlined for a while and have been doing research to help structure the work in order to have a framework within which to begin composing. A blank piece of manuscript and a pencil is rarely sufficient for successful composition, there needs to be some sort of design brief. I find that one of the most creatively successful strategies for my writing is to set boundaries and limitations before I begin work, this allows me to focus on the task rather than being overwhelmed by option paralysis, and I spend a lot of time musing over the general idea and allowing my subconscious mind to sort out and filter those ideas. Once the ideas begin to unfold, rough drafting begins and the themes and style are established the direction of travel then reveals itself and those initial boundaries can be transgressed; after all, there are no absolute rules in the creative process. Just as an explorer needs a starting point and a general direction to head in, so it is for this composer, but the final destination is always a surprise. This time last week, what had been a general idea now has one movement completed, the second begun and the material for the third and fourth are slowly emerging.