I talk. I talk to everyone I know. I ask very non-technical people how they'd approach the technical challenges (if this project has a technical aspect). I ask very technical people how they'd approach the creative/artistic challenges (same comment). I buy a sketchbook and fill it with doodles and diagrams and notes and random, scatterbrained ideas. And I never look at it again. I'll read up on material related to the subject. I'll read up on material unrelated to the subject, and figure out how it could apply (the works of Joyce are great for this). I'll meditate (with or without aids). Sometimes — and I'm not joking about this — I'll pick some completely arbitrary activity and assign it ritualistic significance, with pertinence to the project I'm about to begin. (Once, prior to recording a song, I showered myself with a carton of orange juice while hopping to and fro on alternating legs, ululating wildly — it was significant, by assignment.)

Why all the nonsense? In some sense, it helps clear my mind of other projects. It helps me build up energy and excitement in anticipation of this new project.

It reminds me that I'm still alive, and that there are many things I could be doing in my life. While I may be a conduit or wellspring from which projects spring forth, there's no reason I have to be, except for the amount of love I feel for the work that I do.