diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 417cc06..b63ca69 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ next up:
     * [x] probably stop hardcoding anchor regex, make an option
     * [ ] implement custom anchor creation function to go with custom regex
   * [ ] opening zettel should use generated link table for full filename anchor search
+    * [ ] need a default zettel directory to look in
   * [ ] implement fallback to filename
 
 ## TODO: needed functionality
diff --git a/lua/zettelkasten/action.lua b/lua/zettelkasten/action.lua
index a7a5c22..bec6c5c 100644
--- a/lua/zettelkasten/action.lua
+++ b/lua/zettelkasten/action.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ end
 -- Takes an optional style of link following to use,
 -- superseding the one set in options.
 function A.open_selected(style)
-    local style = style or o.zettel().link_following
+    local style = style or o.link().following
     if style == 'line' then
         A.open(A.get_next_link_on_line())
     elseif style == 'cursor' then
@@ -55,3 +55,39 @@ function A.get_next_link_on_line()
 end
 
 return {open = A.open, open_selected = A.open_selected}
+
+--- local function get_selection()
+---     s_start = vim.fn.line("'<") - 1
+---     s_end = vim.fn.line("'>")
+---     return vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(0, s_start, s_end, true)
+--- end
+--
+--- -- UGLY HACKS ABOUND
+--- function ZK.create_zettel()
+---     -- get line and its number
+---     local selection
+---     local line = vim.api.nvim_get_current_line()
+---     local linenr = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(0)[1]
+--
+---     -- get words under cursor / selected
+---     local mode = vim.api.nvim_get_mode()['mode']
+---     if mode == "n" then
+---         print(vim.fn.line("'<'") - 1)
+---         selection = vim.fn.expand("<cWORD>")
+---         -- NOT WORKING YET
+---     elseif mode == "v" then
+---         selection = get_selection()
+---     else
+---         return
+---     end
+--
+---     -- get valid link
+---     local link = l.create(nil, selection)
+--
+---     -- create new line with selection replaced in middle
+---     local st, en = line:find(selection, 0, true)
+---     local repl_line = line:sub(1, st - 1) .. link .. line:sub(en + 1)
+--
+---     -- replace existing line in favor of new one
+---     vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(0, linenr - 1, linenr, true, {repl_line})
+--- end
diff --git a/lua/zettelkasten/link.lua b/lua/zettelkasten/link.lua
index a5f4191..0ea2082 100644
--- a/lua/zettelkasten/link.lua
+++ b/lua/zettelkasten/link.lua
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ end
 -- Takes an optional link text which will be added to the link.
 -- Takes an optional style according to which the link will be transformed.
 function L.create(anchor, text, style)
-    style = style or o.zettel().link_style
+    style = style or o.link().style
 
     return parsers[style].style_func(anchor, text, o.zettel().extension)
 end
diff --git a/lua/zettelkasten/options.lua b/lua/zettelkasten/options.lua
index 87f06e1..09542af 100644
--- a/lua/zettelkasten/options.lua
+++ b/lua/zettelkasten/options.lua
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@ local Opt = {}
 
 -- vim setting names and defaults
 local zettel_defaults = {
-    extension = {vimname = "zettel_extension", default = ".md"},
-    link_style = {
+    extension = {vimname = "zettel_extension", default = ".md"}
+}
+local link_defaults = {
+    style = {
         vimname = "zettel_link_style",
         default = "markdown",
         valid = {markdown = true, wiki = true}
     },
-    link_following = {
+    following = {
         vimname = "zettel_link_following",
         default = "cursor",
         valid = {cursor = true, line = true}
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ local function get_options(defaults)
 end
 
 function Opt.zettel() return get_options(zettel_defaults) end
-
+function Opt.link() return get_options(link_defaults) end
 function Opt.anchor() return get_options(anchor_defaults) end
 
 return Opt
diff --git a/lua/zettelkasten/options_spec.lua b/lua/zettelkasten/options_spec.lua
index c299996..c0c4e30 100644
--- a/lua/zettelkasten/options_spec.lua
+++ b/lua/zettelkasten/options_spec.lua
@@ -15,35 +15,37 @@ describe("zettel options", function()
     end)
     it("should return the default zettel extension if not set in vim",
        function() assert.same(".md", opt.zettel().extension) end)
+end)
 
+describe("link options", function()
     it("should return the global link style if set in vim", function()
         _G.vim.g.zettel_link_style = "wiki"
-        assert.same("wiki", opt.zettel().link_style)
+        assert.same("wiki", opt.link().style)
     end)
     it("should return the buffer link style if set in vim", function()
         _G.vim.b.zettel_link_style = "wiki"
-        assert.same("wiki", opt.zettel().link_style)
+        assert.same("wiki", opt.link().style)
     end)
     it("should return the default link style if not set in vim",
-       function() assert.same("markdown", opt.zettel().link_style) end)
+       function() assert.same("markdown", opt.link().style) end)
     it("should error on entries other than markdown/wiki", function()
         _G.vim.g.zettel_link_style = "idontbelong"
-        assert.is_error(function() opt.zettel() end)
+        assert.is_error(function() opt.link() end)
     end)
 
     it("should return the global link following if set in vim", function()
         _G.vim.g.zettel_link_following = "line"
-        assert.same("line", opt.zettel().link_following)
+        assert.same("line", opt.link().following)
     end)
     it("should return the buffer link following if set in vim", function()
         _G.vim.b.zettel_link_following = "line"
-        assert.same("line", opt.zettel().link_following)
+        assert.same("line", opt.link().following)
     end)
     it("should return the default link following if not set in vim",
-       function() assert.same("cursor", opt.zettel().link_following) end)
+       function() assert.same("cursor", opt.link().following) end)
     it("should error on entries other than markdown/wiki", function()
         _G.vim.g.zettel_link_following = "idontbelong"
-        assert.is_error(function() opt.zettel() end)
+        assert.is_error(function() opt.link() end)
     end)
 end)