Experimenting with the Mind Map Technique
Introduction
Mind mapping is a brainstorming technique that has been around for decades. I first heard about the concept in high school, when one of my teachers asked us to draw up a mind map of a chapter in our text book. He didn’t explain it very well, and therefore most of us blew it off as gibberish once we finished the assignment.
Years later, I keep hearing how mind maps are growing in popularity because they help organize thoughts, ideas, and tasks in a way that helps people achieve their goals. Watch the video of mind map inventor, Tony Buzan, who explains and shows the concept in simple detail.
Testing Out the Mind Mapping Technique
If you’re like me, cranking out a traditional outline doesn’t work. I’ve managed to complete the outlines, but the main problem I faced was sticking to them. More often than not, other ideas would come and force me off my intended path until I scrapped the outline altogether.
Next, I tried the Snowflake method, which uses a great “building block” method. But I experienced the same problem. I decided to give the mind map technique a go and was pleasantly surprised with my results. It took me an hour to write out a basic outline, from the beginning to the end. Once I finished, I had a great visual outline of my story.
Partial Mind Map of Shades of Evil, A Novel
I can look at this map and see right off which ideas will work and which won’t. It won’t take me days or weeks to scour through pages of notes to find out where I went wrong with the plot. Better yet, I won’t have to edit pages of notes so that my outline will be readable. All I have to do with my mind map is add words and images that will help me associate with and remember what each chapter is about. If I need to add notes for more clarification, I can.
I’m also going to map out my characters, especially the antagonist. I know why he’s stalking my MCs, but I don’t feel like I know everything about him yet . . . like what caused the triggers that set him off. Once I have a better grasp of who he is, I’ll show you how I mapped him out.
Drawing Your Mind Maps
Before computers became mainstream, people had to draw their mind maps. Today, you’ll find scores of programs, both free and paid. Of the free ones, I liked Freemind the best because it is easy to use and doesn’t look so much like a flow chart. Chuck Frey of The Mind Mapping Software Blog has put together a comprehensive list of mind mapping software. This list is grouped by computer category and even has lists for web-based mind mapping and mind mapping on your iPhone or other mobile device.
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Thanks for this. I’m going to try out Freemind to outline my novella and see what happens.
Benjamin Solah´s last blog ..365: Day 2
You’re welcome.
Let me know how the process goes for you.
Thanks for this. I use mind maps for anything I’m writing now and when I’m delivering a talk, I use them instead of written notes. My writing and public speaking have become livelier and more coherent and punchy. They haven’t made me less lazy (what could?) but when I do get down to writing, the whole process is far less painful.
Have you tried using the notes facility? I use MindGenius where having made your mindmap, you can then add notes to your branches. And then, and this is the clever bit, you can print out or export to a Word document, just the branches with notes, so that you have the essay, talk, story or whatever all ready to present for publication etc.
Hi, Peter!
I’ve been testing out FreeMind, NovaMind, My Thoughts, Personal Brain and iMindmap. I love iMindmap but NovaMind will be offering the same graphics manipulation capabilities for half the price in October.
Yes, I’ve tried the notes facility on these programs as well as the export feature. Both are very good to have. I plan on using the notes feature to expand on my topics. It would be nice to be able to ditch my word processors.
Hi Deborah,
Ooh I like the look of that! I’ve been looking for some new ideas for planning… I’m having problems with my middle at the moment and I think this might be a good way to get through them.
Thanks!
You’re welcome, Julie.
Let me know how this technique works for you.
Another excellent post. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us and to provide the images. After reading your post, I feel excited about trying mind map in my writing. I know I do better with visual prompts, so this should work well for me.
Karen Lee Field´s last blog ..Book Review: Perfect Victim
Mind mapping is a lot of fun, Karen.
I’m working on a character chart right now. Let me know how you like it!
At first, there was a barrier, I found it difficult to get started and I must admit that I panicked a bit. I did a bit more research and came across an image that solved that problem. The image had five words – how, why, when, where, who – and that opened the door for me. Simple, every day words, but they are quite powerful really.
I’ll write about it in more detail on my blog over the weekend.
Karen Lee Field´s last blog ..Book Review: Perfect Victim
Yeah, it’s a totally different approach to what we’re used to. Looking forward to reading your post.
I have just found this site when looking on ‘The desk of Karen Lee Field’ and Oh my god *claps excitedly*
I had found that just making notes on cards where not working, then I installed Mindmap and I have not looked back. My novel is taking place nicely. I use it for everything. Plotting, Planning, Layout, Character, Events, it is brilliant. Thank you so much for this. I will be recommending this to all my writing buddies.
Thanks again.
Kirsty
You’re welcome, Kirsty.
Mind maps are a great way to visualize your story. Thanks for stopping by.