Ideas
Save the unfinished thought in the words you have now.
Writers
Keep ideas and details for later.
Tell your Dossier the rough idea, the line you heard, or the detail you want to use later. When you sit down to write, ask for everything connected to the draft.
While walking home Saved
Essay idea: how family recipes change when nobody writes them down. Ask Aunt Salma about the cardamom step. I promised Noor a draft next Tuesday.
Your Dossier keeps
Idea
Essay about unwritten family recipes
Question
Ask Aunt Salma about cardamom
Promise
Send Noor a draft next Tuesday
When the draft opens
Use the family recipe idea. Ask Salma about cardamom. Noor expects a draft Tuesday.
How it helps
Useful before the idea has a proper home.
You do not need to decide where an idea belongs. Brief it now and ask for it when the draft is ready.
Research
Keep a source with the reason you wanted it.
People
Remember questions and promises connected to editors or collaborators.
A simple routine
Brief it after. Ask before.
You do not need to clean up the note or put it in a folder.
After it happens
- Say the rough idea out loud.
- Save the source and why it matters.
- Brief any question or promised draft.
Before you need it
- Ask for ideas about the current topic.
- Pull the saved source and reason.
- Check what an editor or collaborator is waiting for.
Questions
What this does and does not do.
Does it write the draft?
No. Your Dossier helps you remember your own ideas, research, and promises. The writing stays yours.
Do I need to tag every idea?
No. Brief it plainly and ask about the topic later.
Save the idea in the words you have now.
It does not need to be polished. Ask for it when you are ready to write.