Four Modes of Writing

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Four Modes of Writing

Last updatedUpdated:<br>Apr 8, 2026

by Simon Späti · CreatedCreated: Nov 15, 2025 · 1 min read

My writing process has four modes.

NORMAL mode: jumping around, reading, learning

INSERT mode: writing, thinking, making connections

VISUAL mode: copying, highlighting, formatting, designing

COMMAND mode: automate, fix, macros.

In case you can&rsquo;t tell, I use Vim Motions in Obsidian 😉.

The amazing part is that when you use vim motion long enough, your hands are just doing things. You don&rsquo;t think &ldquo;I want to make a list, or I want to write a paragraph, or anything else&rdquo;. You just think about what you want to write or do, and your fingers just instinctively switch between modes.

# Futher Reads

My Writing Process

Archetypes of Writers

Origin: This was inspired by Nick Milo and

his four modes

References: My Writing Process

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Four Modes of Writing

Obsidian

Vim Motions for Writers

Blog: Why I Still Blog — and Why the Future of Blogging Is Connected