From your parent's comment, I think this is the key statement: > what an author should want That is normative / prescriptive attitude, and seems to gatekeep w

From your parent's comment, I think this is the key statement: > what an author should want That is normative / prescriptive attitude, and seems to gatekeep who gets called "an author." On the other hand, I think the biggest challenges most writers have is getting words on (digital) paper, regardless of the software. I am also unconvinced that there are any practical benefits (for me) to using Markdown in particular, instead of whatever is closest to hand and offers the least friction...use what works for you!