"And once I know what the first page is, then the rest will come"

William Bolcom’s assertion, “And once I know what the first page is, then the rest will come,” delves into the creative process with a subtle wisdom that resonates across artistic disciplines. At its core, the statement highlights the essential momentum provided by beginnings. The elusive first page, whether literal in writing or metaphorical in composition, represents the pivotal starting point where ideas coalesce from the intangible into the tangible. For Bolcom, and for many creators, the genesis of a project often carries the greatest weight: before it exists, potential is formless and intimidating, a sea of infinite possibilities that can stall progress.

The first page becomes an anchor, a focus that transforms formless inspiration into structured form. Once this threshold is crossed, the psychological barrier of starting vanishes. The creative process, which might have seemed daunting or insurmountable, begins to unfold naturally. There is an implied faith here, a trust that the act of beginning is itself generative , that each subsequent step emerges organically from what precedes it. Completing the first page is more than physical work; it is the unlocking of a mental state in which flow is possible and ideas gather momentum of their own accord.

Bolcom’s words also speak to the relationship between preparation and spontaneity. The first page may come after extended periods of rumination, research, or hesitation, but when it finally arrives, it brings clarity that aligns the artist with their instincts. The rest is no longer shrouded in apprehension; the act of starting dissipates the paralysis of uncertainty. Creativity, then, is not always a grand act of vision but sometimes a leap of faith into the unknown , trusting that by placing one foot forward, the path will reveal itself with each deliberate step, and what once seemed distant and unclear will unfold with purpose and coherence.