Me, I need something that tickles my urge to write - could be a phrase, could be an image, could be the whole idea or it could just be a chord progression.   And then I need some private space! I hate to think I can be overheard while I tinker around with the song and get cross with myself when it's not going right.

Time is important, too. Sometimes the best songs come all of a piece and in a rush, but sometimes they take time to percolate through and then emerge much later, fully formed and ready to go.

Anne