How I Write My Books with Jorge Arango - Sketch Your Mind Conference, 2025

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Description:
In this session from the Sketch Your Mind conference, information architect and author Jorge Arango pulls back the curtain on his structured yet flexible process for writing non-fiction books.

Jorge breaks down his workflow into three distinct stages: Research & Incubation, Structuring, and Writing. He makes a compelling case for using different tools and environments for each phase, arguing that switching your context can significantly boost clarity, creativity, and flow. Discover how tools like Obsidian, Tinderbox, Freeform, and Ulysses can be leveraged not just to capture ideas, but to shape and structure them effectively.

Whether you're an aspiring author feeling overwhelmed by the blank page or a seasoned writer looking to refine your process, this talk offers a practical and inspiring roadmap. Learn the powerful principle that "we think with things" and see how to build an environment that supports your writing journey from initial idea to final manuscript.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:14 Overview of Jorge Arango's Talk on Writing
02:22 Jorge Arango's Presentation Begins
05:46 The Core Principle: We Think With Things
09:11 The Three Stages of Writing: Research, Structuring, and Writing
14:20 The Structuring Phase: Organizing Ideas Visually
27:53 The Writing Phase: Moving from Structure to Prose
30:52 Three Key Takeaways for Your Writing Process
33:11 Audience Q&A Begins
33:33 Q&A: What is an information architect?
35:22 Q&A: How does AI change the writing process?
40:40 Q&A: Advice for getting the rhythm and cadence of chapters right
47:06 Q&A: Adapting this process for creating workshops
51:28 Q&A: How to translate visual structure into written paragraphs
56:00 Q&A: How to find the perfect opening story for a chapter
58:22 Q&A: Where is the most time wasted in the writing process?
01:01:04 Session Music: "How I Write My Book"

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