Earlier this year, I came across a strategy that dramatically changed how I research and write articles and books.
It’s called the Zettelkasten or Slipbox. This form of research and note-taking was popularised, at least in Germany, by sociologist and author Niklas Lumen.
(Fun fact: Lumen used the Slipbox or Zettelkasten method of research to write and publish over 70 books).
Basically, it involves writing a web of thought around your ideas, research, and readings. I write five to ten entries a day in my personal Slipbox, which is a little like journaling.
Fear not: creating a Slipbox is relatively easy providing you follow a few simple rules.
Create a single entry per idea
- Link your entries to each other
- Use descriptive headings
- Categorize your entries
There’s a little bit more to it than that.
So, in this week’s interview, Sascha Fast explains:
- What a Slipbox is and how to use one for writing
- How to get started creating your Slipbox
- Why a Slipbox is ideal for non-fiction writers
- How he’s using a Slipbox to research 70-YES 70!- books
- The tools you need to create one
Resources
Evernote
Day One
Ulysses
Archive
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