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what is non-linear writing?
Linear writing has a linear structure with a beginning, middle and end. The structure assumes a reader will progress from start to finish.
In linear writing the path is set. You move through the introduction, body and conclusion.
non-linear writing encourages or even forces a reader to jump around. Moving from concept to concept. Each concept or thought is captured in a note.
Moving through non-linear writing involves jumping from related concept to concept (node to node). And you can go backwards, forwards and sideways as you please.
To experience the real implementation of this click on the map navigation icon in the top right you can navigate the thoughtship through its conceptual map. 
Exploring the hyperlinked nodes of the thoughtship you'll move through linked concepts as you choose.
But why do all this? What are the Advantages of non-linear writing?
Also here's more history of non-linear writing
Referenced in
The rise of non-linear writing
Traditional writing lays out a path for the reader to walk down. non-linear writing allow your readers to wander through the garden of your ideas.
Advantages of non-linear writing
Because non-linear writing provides an environment that nurtures the creative combination and reformulation of ideas while also being more efficient and effective at generating content. We shape our environments and then our environments shape us
Advantages of non-linear writing
non-linear writing forces the reader to be active - they have decisions to make and this increases their interactivity with the material. They are driving the story.
encapsulation
In non-linear writing nodes can contain references to other nodes or just parts of nodes (called blocks).
non-linear writing is interactive
non-linear writing cuts prose into small chunks the modern distractable reader can digest.
Andy Matuschak
A brilliant writer and educator who's pioneering use of hypertext as a tool for thought takes non-linear writing writing to a new level.
insights acumulate with non-linear writing
Ususally when writing you start form scratch each time. Not with non-linear writing. There is no need to reinvent the wheel for each piece.
history of non-linear writing
non-linear writing has existed since 1975 with 'Choose your own adventure books. Where the decisions you made would direct you to different sections of the book. I enjoyed reading them in the library as a child.
non-linear writing is interactive
non-linear writing patterns harness your natural inclination to 'wander off' to explore other aspects of an idea in your own way.
non-linear nomenclature
I use non-linear writing as it encompases all the new and old forms which existed prior to hypertext
The rise of non-linear writing
non-linear writing is not just a superior way to record information. But is more suited to our non-linear, short attention span, interactive craving minds today for consuming information also.
history of non-linear writing
The ease of non-linear writing have been unleashed by recent technology hypertext.
combine atomic notes to form larger pieces
non-linear writing accumulates over time. Each note can be re-used. So as you write you build a library of material to draw on for your next piece.
The rise of non-linear writing
non-linear writing provides a system not just for writing and taking notes - but also for reading. make sense now because our brains need that stimulation to jump from interesting point to point. Rather than following the linear path laid out for us. We choose our own jumping from point to point as we traverse a concept.