The video and Recording of Exorcism of a Succubus (for solo viola) is now in the Recordings! tab.  The version I have posted is the original composition, after which I spent approximately a year and a half revising the piece.  The revised version has been performed multiple times, but I have not been able to get a good recording.  Thanks to Kent Brauninger for a fantastic performance and recording of the original!

I believe that we can only draw from our own experiences in the creative process.  In other words, we cannot create something truly new and original.  The mind can only understand and use what it already knows.  What we can do is pull bits and pieces from our experiences and our environment, trying to make new, interesting combinations.  Then, let them Stew, add more flavors and twists, and voila!  “Creation.”

The trick is to know when to stew and when not to stew.  Stew too long, and you have a Pile of mush.  Unfortunately, I just created a big pile of mush from an idea that had been Stewing and simmering for about a year.  With my next idea, I will incorporate some timely action instead of staying in my head past the point that is helpful.  You live and learn.