Be Strategic: Mind Map

-
Another tool for managing  a story, scene, chapter, blog, character, or planning a novel is "Mind Mapping." It is not outlining in the traditional sense. It doesn't require a writer to use Roman numerals, the alphabet, or Arabic numerals. The following link takes you to a utube.com site that demonstrates various types and uses of mind mapping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLWV0XN7K1g

 Mind mapping maintains status among management skills. It cuts through clutter for several Quality Process Improvement systems. It keeps a group of highly charged and motivated individuals on task.

Mind mapping tools are simple. A large white board, an erasable marker, and eraser works fine. My preference includes large "stickie" pads. Write you ideas down.  Paste them on a wall. You can move the parts around anytime in the writing process.

Mind Map Applications exist.

Google Play's mind maps on located on
https://play.google.com/store/searchq=mind%20mapping%20apps%20free&c=apps&hl=en

Apple offers a wide selection of apps for mind maps at various prices for iphones, ipads, and iwatches.  Search in Apple Store for "Mind map apps."

Microsoft has several apps check out
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/m8-mind-map/9wzdncrfj9nr

Have a terrific idea,  can't wait to meet the rest of your characters, mind mapping helps with you get it down on paper.  Write a description about each of your characters at the moment of concept using a mind map. You can place the character in a character file for your current book or a future one.

Wake up in the middle of the night with a story idea. Map it.

Writers need tools to store and organize ideas. Mind Maps help authors write it down.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Women's History Month: Inspiring Women

-
Image
When we talk about Women's History Month we think of Pocahontas and Sacajawea who helped the explorers of this country.  We think of Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison who were on the forefront of the beginning of this country.  We don't want to forget the great suffragists who worked for and won the right to vote for U.S. women.   We are reminded of  "Rosie the Riveter" and all the brave women of America who took over the "men's positions" in the factories.  The production numbers of these women are still noteworthy to this day. We honor the women who took those brave first steps to serve and continue to serve in the military. The first scientists, teachers, humanitarians, politicians, the list continues as we look for role models to inspire and encourage us.   Is there a scientist, teacher, or humanitarian who inspired you ?  Share these women with my followers, audience, and me. Sh
Read more

Challenge Sparks Inspiration

-
Image
      Finally a great break through! After weeks of trying to figure out how my main character Sophie goes back in time, an article about National Novel Writing Month ignites my imagination. The new book will tell the tale of how and why Sophie decided to leave Chicago, Illinois and go to Salt Lake City, Utah.  Now what was the catalyst that got my "little gray cells" firing on all cylinders?        It was the National Novel Writing Month's (NaNoWriMo) challenge. Writers around the world are invited to write 50,000 words of a brand new novel in 30 days. Nothing like a challenge to help me out of my puddle of self pity. A few days of mulling around a few concepts about Sophie's departure and my brain is  firing faster than the supercollider.       The hardest part is not staring the actually writing. According to the rules you can't start writing until November 1. You must have 50,000 words written by November 30 by 11:59 p.m.  So while I am waiting I am resear
Read more

December 2016 Book Review: Maeve's Times

-
Image
Warning to all writers who scribe thoughts on bits and scraps of paper and throw them in a box to rewrite later.  Those bits and scraps may be published posthumously.  Maeve Binchy's husband, Gordon Snell, found her "to do later" box. He built a biography of her life with her thoughts, articles, and ramblings. Maeve's Times  is dated and referenced making it easy to follow. Thank you Mr. Snell for sharing insights into her professional and personal life. Her spirit lives on with her words.  This author captured my attention with Copper Beeches.  Maeve Binchy wrote about what she saw, lived, and felt. Her stories reflected both Irish country and city life. Each book made me feel better about people. She wrote about hard times and working through them. She wrote about love and love lost. Her book Minding Frankie demonstrates a community pulling together to help a neighbor. Any of her titles are a "goodread."
Read more