Composing vs Practicing literature

[dinosaurtales]

I have found that my brain is totally pulled into whichever one I am doing - if I get into a new composition I have a hard time rediretcting my brain to focus on practicing my  regular literature.  If I am really into a particular piece I have a hard time switching gears to focus on a composition.  Tips?  Bernard?

[galonia]

Hmm... I have this experience too - which has led me to develop my own hypothesis about "creative energy" - when I'm learning new repertoire, I am directing my creative energies towards interpreting the piece, expressing the piece etc - so I don't compose very much or very fluently during that time.  The other time I have trouble composing is when I have been doing visual arts - e.g. if I've been drawing a lot.

But I find, having learnt new repertoire, new ideas and feelings are inspired and my composing becomes more interesting and varied.

So I go through periods of no composing, just absorbing, and then when I have had time to integrate what I've absorbed into my own being, I can use it in my own creations.  Kind of.  Hope I've expressed my ideas clearly...