I like the question! I'll give it a shot.
This piece of off-the cuff writing was composed in NV. It needs revision, and serves as an example. I post it now unrevised. If I wanted to revise it later, time undetermined - where should I put it right now ?
I found in practice: Many files:I have about 15+ TBX project file. Some I use frequently. Not all.
I attempted to make the largest file tinderbox and OSX could handle. I find the size is limited. Admittedly my memory could be more in a new mac. I compared tinderbox and Mori with large files. Both suffer lags in operations with large files, depending what e.g. the most important being save. Tinderbox auto-save is limited. I have tried the scripts.
For clippings NV is superb, keyboard only. There's a short cut for bring NV to the front too, system-wide. AUtomated clippings with TBX and applescript go to the frontmost document, so when you have a number open, they could go to the wrong one when working in other apps too.
I require one clipping file, and for that, NV is the best, therefore. I have it open on startup. YOu cannot run two NV files. No need.
Both lack tagging with auto clipping, but clips require review..so that is not necessary at clip stage, and I find slows or interrupts the reading or work in hand. THe navigation in TBX and NV are both excellent by keyboard commands. SO no problems there.
Because NV LOOKS different, it is easily recognisable as the CLippings Box.
Many clippings are not for TBX, e.g reminders, additional notes, scribbles, email, things I wish to say to people, ideas.
I used a pencil for scribbles working at the computer, but would lose some important notes, or have to chase the nits of paper up, unless I have one dedicated notebook. However, NV can handle scribbles like that. I might have an entry like contacts, with new contacts, or just those I am using, or wish to.
To do lists are OK... I jot on paper.
I found I needed to use my memory or it become poor, alternatively the work is merely an exercise, not a passion.
Memory and motivation work hand in hand, along with immediacy, importance etc. The importance is not just rating you may choose to give it , but the ability to remember! Focus is the workstation, true. ANy collection of notes would do for that.
So its less immediate things that need to be jotted down..they are all there in NV. Its very easy to add a tag whilst dropping a clip by renaming the note, but as it shows the whole first line too, in NV, its hardly necessary.
Creative writing...plain text filesFor larger authentic writing, say two plus pages. I like writeroom and don't need hypertext. Like letters. They go in plain text. Tinderbox is for hypertext projects, and for leaning notes, project notes etc.
I tried Tinderbox for creative writing projects at the outset, but I find I like a blank page to draw the force of inspiration, or, if inspired I just go t the poooter and start, without thinking of organisation, which is often death to a flow. An application with project files is not required, it is a hindrance. So I could take single notes with TBX i any open project file, It does work well , I admit and would do fine. But would need to export soon enough or become confused with spurious notes littered in an organised project. But then how do you open all those notes, without first committing them to a project file? If I keep TInderbox for project organisation, and use NV plus writeroom for initial creative writing and letters.
I say initial, yet I rework that stuff in plain text over time and in review. It is only later that I start to assemble. I do plot about that time in tinderbox, using maps. I like working with plain text files, and putting them into tbx for publication as hypertext, and use ToBeCompleted checkboox attributes and agent, categories at that time.
So, initially I don't need an application, just one big folder. It's easier to find.
I put just quick statements into NV rather than a page. My NV is melange.
My text file folder is too. Organisation comes later in working at the stuff. AS a work progresses it has its own folder. Then, at that time Tinderbox can be useful there. However, I believe that's later on. Better to hold the thing that that has emerged in your mind: you have to live it with creative writing, when you start to pursue creative writing goals with themes. It can be done by technique, but we have so much writing now , all examples of technique and craft, but lacking force of inspiration. Better not to write and publish.
I tried all the tagging and so forth and collecting notes from the outset, but, for me, it doesn't work. I do not believe creative writing is a task of assembly until the end.
Phew.

Now I got to cut this down andmake it good........but I never will!
Regards,
John