I write my own Markdown

Writing your own Markdown is both a privilege and a responsibility. The power of Markdown lies in its simplicity, but mastery requires discipline. Here's a distilled guide to owning your Markdown practice with intention:

Core Principles

• ·Consistency is non-negotiable. Stick to one syntax style (e.g., **bold** over __bold__) across all documents.
• ·Human readability comes first, but never at the expense of parseability. Structure matters.
• ·Native Markdown syntax should be preferred over HTML escapes unless absolutely necessary.
• ·Accessibility isn't optional. Always include alt text for images, even if decorative.

Technical Nuances

• ·Line breaks are semantic: Use blank lines only between logical blocks (paragraphs, headers). Mid-sentence breaks create rendering artifacts.
• ·Indentation defines hierarchy: Two or four spaces (consistently) for nested lists, never tabs.
• ·Extensions should be deliberate: If using advanced features (tables, footnotes), commit to one flavor (CommonMark, GFM, Pandoc) and document it.

Pitfalls to Avoid

markdown

• ·Mixing syntax styles (bold vs bold)
• ·Fragmented paragraphs from arbitrary line breaks
• ·Underlining with underscores (conflicts with italics in CommonMark)

Markdown isn't freeform text - it's a constrained language where the constraints exist to serve clarity. Choose your conventions deliberately, document them rigorously, and enforce them consistently. The beauty of Markdown emerges when you respect its boundaries while writing within them.