Create Mind Maps: The Make Writing Easier

Have you discovered mind maps? A mind map is a simple diagram. You place a circle in the center of your map, and write your topic in the circle. Then, you branch off that center circle with lines. Each line contains a word.

Check out Wikipedia for more on mind maps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_maps

Mind maps are essential tools for writing. Because a map is visual, you can take in more information at a glance. This makes it easy to develop your ideas, and to structure them in your writing.

I mind map many times every day, usually on an index card, because writing is thinking, and mind maps help me to think. Therefore, mind mapping is an essential part of my writing process. I mind map my To Do list, blog posts, articles, and copywriting projects I'm developing for clients. I mind map everything, because it makes capturing ideas easy.

(Check the Resources, for some useful mind mapping tools.)

I also mind map when I’m reading. For example, currently I’m reading a book on Roman legions, for an historical romance I’m writing. This book contains a lot of information. Most of it I won’t need — I’m not studying this book in order to take a test on it, I’m using it as research material. Therefore, anything I think I may be able to use in my novel, I create a line on the mind map, with a word, and a reference. (I’ve included a link on how to reference electronic material in Resources at the end of this guide.)

What works for mind maps? Electronic and manual mind mapping
I use both. Currently NovaMind is my favorite mind mapping app (link in the Resources.) I create an electronic mind map when I’m coaching students, and working with clients. I also create them for on-going projects, and To Do lists. It’s easier to change things on an electronic mind map.

For material I want to remember however, I create hand drawn maps. These may be simple and created on an index card or even a sticky note. My larger hand drawn mind maps are created on artists’ sketch pads. You can get these pads in large sizes. I stick these kinds of maps on the wall.

Recently I’ve started using Whitelines Link notebooks for my hand drawn maps. It’s easy to convert these maps digitally, I just snap them on my phone, and they’re sent to my Evernote account.

Exercise 20: Create a mind map.

Today, create a mind map of your day in your journal. The mind map doesn’t need to be a work of art; I assure you that mine aren’t. :-)

Use color. Color and images trigger your right brain and your subconscious: you’ll find that you get a sudden flow of ideas. Mind mapping is similar to doodling, which is also great as an idea trigger.