How best to coordinate parts spacing when composing by hand?

Question

Forgive my enactment, but it seems like the easiest way to explain: Let's say, hypothetically, it's a piano piece. I'm on a train, composing on paper, no piano in sight. I have a strong idea for a part in the bass clef. It's fairly simple rhythmically, spanning about 10 measures, but the notes vary in each measure. I then start working on the treble clef. I had a vague idea to start, and it evolves as I write. I want a complicated run in measure 5. Ooops! I don't have enough space to properly coordinate with the bass clef. Time for the eraser. Or, I re-write bar 5 on a different page and worry about it later when finalizing. Or, maybe next time, I space out the bass clef part extra-wide, just in case I decide to cram a bunch of notes above it. Ugh! I assume this is a problem solved by others long ago (centuries ago), and there's probably a set of best practices somewhere. However, I can't find them. Notation software obviates the issue (obviously), but I'd really like to get more comfortable notating by hand, well.

Answer 1

I think this will be a matter of taste. What do you think about only writing lead sheets (melody line with chord names written above) until you definitely know the direction you will take? This will allow you more time to think about it.

Alternatively, you could write only the bass down beat notes (1,2,3,4 in 4/4) until you decide how the bass will go. This would effectively outline the chord structure, and still leave room for passing tones or ornaments or embellishments.