Prompting and Freewriting
Checking out Craft, Discovering Forever Notes, An App for Stream of Consciousness, Coming Up with Creative Ideas
Hey guys, here are some things that stood out from my previous week:
On Keyboard Productivity
A few days ago I released a video about how I use Karabiner for launching automations and macros. My system has changed significantly since the last time I shared about this. While sharing for a simpler approach on how to explain where I’m at, I discovered LeaderKey, which offers a very user-friendly alternative. To be clear, there’s still so much more I do with Karabiner that can’t be done with LeaderKey, this just covers one practical yet very powerful aspect.
On Craft
The Craft team approached me about two weeks and a half ago after seeing my Readwise video. They thought I would be a good candidate for their app, especially with their Readwise integration launching this week. Years ago, when I started learning about knowledge management and was in the midst of choosing a note-taking application to use as my second brain, I do remember seeing mentions of Craft—but ultimately I chose Bear for its simplicity.
After extensively testing Craft these past few weeks, I still prefer Bear’s simple approach for quick note-taking. But Craft includes many features that are useful for many other areas I had not considered before. It’s an app that has quickly found its way into my daily workflow, and I hope to share more about this soon! I’m thinking about a video comparing Craft and Bear, sharing my implementation of PARA with Craft, and exploring a few other related things. If you have any other thoughts you’d like to hear, please let me know.
On Note-Taking
Last week, while still doing some research about different ways to use Craft, I discovered Forever Notes. The PARA system already works great for me, but this method offered fresh ideas.
The Forever Notes system was designed for Apple Notes. It all starts with having one note as an index that connects to other notes. This approach works well for apps that use either folders or tags - any tool that lets notes link to each other. Parts of this method are very straightforward, though some sections (like the journal) are something that I personally don’t see myself using. Still, I believe a lot of this could work alongside PARA without any problems.
I’m still unsure what I can do with this, but it has already sparked some ideas and plan to explore more. If you’re into note-taking systems make sure to check it out.
On Writing Apps
A few days back, I discovered FreeWrite, a free and open-source writing app. This is not a full-fledged note-taking tool, but a minimal text editor designed to help you to “freewrite” without distractions.
What is “freewrite” you ask? I grabbed this from the intro note in the app itself.
Freewriting is a writing strategy developed in 1973 — it’s where you write continuously for a set time without worrying about grammar, spelling, or anything like that. A pure stream of consciousness.
It’s led to real breakthroughs — like helping me untangle big feelings around shutting down my last company, reflecting on my relationships, and figuring out what actually matters to me as I continuously figure out the next chapter of life.
Every day—for years already—I’ve journaled on paper (aside from quick journal entries on Day One). One of the reasons I’ve gone the physical route is to disconnect myself from distractions and be focused on emptying my mind. I was surprised to see someone trying to bring that same approach to an app! FreeWrite is very simple but I think it’s great as long as you know what to expect.
There is no spellcheck. There is no markdown. This is on purpose. It doesn’t matter.
I’m totally fine with this. The only thing I wish it had was dark mode. It’s an open source project that seems to be getting quite a bit of traction so I’ve no doubt this will be implemented soon.
I’m personally in the middle of trying to simplify my whole note-taking system, especially now that I’m starting to use Craft alongside Bear. I downloaded this one to test for a bit, but I don’t think it offers me anything I don’t already have. Still, it looks like a pretty neat app that I thought I would recommend, especially to those who don’t have a journaling or stream of consciousness practice already in place.
On Prompting
I never took any formal course on AI prompting. Most of my knowledge comes from trial and error or quick tips I’ve seen in X or YT videos. This past week, I discovered this big document published for free that offers solid advice in this area. Though it seems written for Gemini LLM models, the same principles apply to everything else. I already knew a lot of the stuff in there, but there were still some helpful clarifications. If you’re interested in AI and want to improve your interactions, it’s totally worth reading—especially the “Prompting Techniques” section starting on page 13.
On Ok Go
A few days ago, I ran into this music video from OK Go. You may have heard about this band because a lot of their music videos have gone viral again and again, but I had not seen this one. Like many times before, I was blown away by the ideas. I thought it was super impressive.
On their channel they also have this short behind-the-scenes of the same music video, where they share some of their creative process. I found it fascinating. They explained that it all starts with playing and developing a “vocabulary of tricks”. This concept of having a vocabulary of ideas is very similar to what I’ve seen in the language of cinema. Where filmmakers that are into exploring cinema as an artform come up with a specific vocabulary of camera work, imagery, colors, metaphors, and symbols. I’m trying to explore how this also applies to other areas of creativity and expression.
I found it particularly interesting how the guys from Ok Go say everything begins with play, ignoring practicality and trying to come up with ideas without worrying whether they’re possible or not. The entire process, they explain, involves extensive iteration and… regression. I think it’s super special seeing how countless hours of work and seemingly wasted time can result in something so awesome.
On Cinema
Sacramento (2025). Two guys with opposite personalities go on a road trip. It reminded me a bit of A Real Pain. Still, a very portrait of a male friendship. Synopsis: When free-spirited Ricky suddenly reappears in father-to-be Glenn’s life, the two former best friends embark on a spontaneous road trip from LA to Sacramento.
Mickey 17 (2025). I was not sure what else to expect after Parasite from the same director. I am still not sure I got this one, tbh, but if you are into futuristic sci-fi films this one may still be worth your time. Synopsis: Unlikely hero Mickey Barnes finds himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.
Pixote (1980). A very sad and tragic film to watch. Still, an incredible piece of cinema. Synopsis: 10-year-old Pixote endures torture, degradation, and corruption at a local youth detention center where two of its members are murdered by policemen who frame Lilica, a 17-year-old trans hustler. Pixote helps Lilica and three other boys escape and they start to make their living by a life of crime which only escalates to more violence and death.
Black Bag (2025). I am a fan of Steven Soderbergh. I just love how moody his films are. Even though they are all different, they all speak his same language. Synopsis: When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband – also a legendary agent – faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.
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