Hey gang,
So I would like to share an idea which I use quite frequently (as followers of my music on this forum would know).
I find a great deal of satisfaction and musical growth in composing short, imaginative works which I call "sketches". These sketches can be of animals, people, places, things, emotions..anything really! For me, it takes stress away as I work because I know I don't have to worry about any rigid form or style. I am just composing a sketch. If my sketch turns into a decent idea, I can then expand it into a full length piece. The upside is, you can compose a set of several sketches and it becomes a functioning musical work very easily.
So that's basically it. You probably have done something like this before, but I just wanted to get the idea going in case you haven't.
Feel free to let me know what you think!