Zettelkasten is writing disguised in the form of note taking.

In one way of looking at it writing Literature notes and permanent notes are the warm up to the actual writing. But actually in their solitude the activity can be considered as writing .

We tend to reduce the "note taking" into a lesser activity than "writing". We are just taking notes. Actually its more than that.

There are many definitions of writing. One definition that I like is the one made by William Zinsser.

Clear thinking becomes clear writing; one can't exist without the other.”

Note taking especially permanent notes require thinking. This thinking process also requires the writers' full concentration. Just as we have been learning in ship30for30 writing a title or writing the first strong sentence is quite important and requires some thinking and some work. Writing a permanent note has the same attributes. You have to be present to be able to stick the idea and not drift away. Each of your sentences have to have a clear and crisp structure that convey the idea.

For me this experience is "writing". And there is a big responsibility attached. These permanent notes are the building blocks of your Zettelkasten. The quality of your "writing system" will be defined by the quality of these blocks.

Last words; don't just take notes in your Zettelkasten. Write your notes.