 With the conclusion of the Dream Within a Dream Tour in July 2002 and the end of her relationship with Justin Timberlake , Spears planned to take a six @-@ month break from her career ; however , work for In the Zone began later that November . She began writing songs for the album while touring internationally , despite not knowing the direction of the album . She experimented with different producers , trying to find those with whom she had chemistry . The first song recorded was " Touch of My Hand " , which Spears claims set the mood for the album . She co @-@ wrote all but four tracks , and often changed the lyrics to suit herself . Spears stated she was an autobiographical songwriter , although not to the point where she felt self @-@ exploited . She also explained that the sexual nature of In the Zone was subconscious and happened while she was in the process of developing the album . Spears collaborated with artists such as Madonna in " Me Against the Music " and the Ying Yang Twins in " ( I Got That ) Boom Boom " . 
