Making room for small ideas

Some ideas arrive as a sentence. Some arrive as a question. Most aren’t ready to become a polished article, and that’s a good reason to write them down anyway.

A useful note has a job

Give a note one thing to do. Explain a technique. Capture an observation. Ask a question that might lead somewhere interesting.

1. Write the part you don’t want to forget.
2. Add enough context for your future self.
3. Link to the source or example that prompted it.

You can return later with a better explanation. A small note that exists is easier to improve than an ambitious one that never gets started.

Keep the edges open

This sample entry demonstrates shorter writing. Your own notes can be a few paragraphs or several pages; the layout makes room for both.