#references

I've been trying to get started with a #Zettelkasten for the better part of two years, if not longer. I've read one or two other books on the subject, notably How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens, poked around in forums, did some trial and error, and had a clunky, barely functional system. I'm pretty sure that I heard about A System for Writing through someone posting about it on the Fediverse and I'm so glad. Building on the felicitous recommendation of whoever that was, I'd like to take this opportunity to heartily recommend this book by @bobdoto@pkm.social to anyone who, like me, is or has been floundering trying to figure out how to make a working Zettelkasten which they can actually use.

Here's what I found so helpful about the book:

• It's organized really well and is easy to dip back into for reference or reassurance.
• There are eminently practical lists of what to do, what to remember, and what to watch out for at the end of each section.
• His interpretation of the #ZK system is flexible and adaptable to the resources and knowhow one already has. Everything (including reference notes!) can be done on paper, or in one app, or in many, or in another way, depending on one's preferences and needs.
• He explains himself and gives examples which are themselves instructive.
• He clearly calls out his sources and provides detailed endnotes for anyone who wants to dig deeper.
• He gives solid writing advice.

I could probably go on but let me stop here and summarize by stating that the book seems to have every building block I would have needed to get started and then some. My Zettelkasten is still a work in progress, but it's now in a much more usable state thanks to Bob's advice.

Thanks so much for writing the book!

#Zettelkästen #slipbox #slipboxes #notes #notetaking #writing #BobDoto #ASystemforWriting #SystemforWriting #sourcenote #sourcenotes #referencenote #referencenotes #references #pkm