4 Tools to Capture Ideas as a Writer

A writer’s tech stack.

Image created via Midjourney

As someone who writes a lot on the internet, I’m constantly on the lookout for ideas. I’m inspired — daily — by things I read, podcasts I listen to, and my experiences out and about in the world.

Many writers have a system to capture ideas, but often, ideas end up scattered across many different apps, tools, and bits of notebook paper. I wanted a streamlined and organized way to capture ideas. Over time, I’ve built a system that relies on several different apps, but then centralizes the ideas in one main knowledge base.

Here’s what I use.

1. Pocket

Pocket is a tool that lets you bookmark almost anything. Article that you want to read later? Save it to Pocket. LinkedIn post you find interesting? Save it to Pocket. Pocket works on both web browsers (as a Chrome extension) and as a mobile app, so you can save ideas wherever you’re reading.

Source: My own screenshot

Before Pocket, it was really hard for me to bookmark ideas. I sometimes used Google Keep, but struggled with making it “fit” with other tools I use. I also saved directly in social media apps, like on Instagram…