"A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other
items, linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea.
It is used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in
study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.” Wikipedia
It is used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in
study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.” Wikipedia
What does this mean in terms of kicking your Muse into action? And how do you create one?
When you're blocked, Mind Mapping is a simple, yet effective method of finding words that lead to ideas that get your writing started again.
Free Association
Mind Mapping is also known a free association. It's just like those games you played as a kid (or even an adult) where one person says a word ("Banana") and you say the first word that comes into your mind ("Yellow"). The more you do this, the further the words get from the original word, but there is still a tenuous link between them all.
Mind Mapping is especially useful for making notes during a lecture or brainstorming session. It's good for creating a title for your story. Or working through the story structure itself. In fact, when you think about it, Mind Mapping can be the most versatile tool in your box for stimulating creative thinking. And all you need is a pen or pencil, a piece of paper and your brain.
There are many Mind Mapping software programs out there -- and we'll get to those later. For the moment, using a pen and paper is the fastest way for ideas to travel between brain and hand.
Branching Off
Here's how to get started. (For this exercise, we're going to use the story of George seeing the face in the bathmat cited in "Practical Ways to Beat the Block" as an example.) The easiest way to think about Mind Mapping is to imagine a river that branches into tributaries that in turn, branch off into more tributaries that in turn... You get the picture. Or you can think about a tree with branches and twigs.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Mind Mapping -- and any other form of free association -- is not only a great way to wrestle writer's block to the mat and hold it down for a count of three, it's also an excellent way to tap into the unlimited power of your unconscious mind.
Still to Come
Writing from Your Subconscious Mind.
Questions?
When you're blocked, Mind Mapping is a simple, yet effective method of finding words that lead to ideas that get your writing started again.
Free Association
Mind Mapping is also known a free association. It's just like those games you played as a kid (or even an adult) where one person says a word ("Banana") and you say the first word that comes into your mind ("Yellow"). The more you do this, the further the words get from the original word, but there is still a tenuous link between them all.
Mind Mapping is especially useful for making notes during a lecture or brainstorming session. It's good for creating a title for your story. Or working through the story structure itself. In fact, when you think about it, Mind Mapping can be the most versatile tool in your box for stimulating creative thinking. And all you need is a pen or pencil, a piece of paper and your brain.
There are many Mind Mapping software programs out there -- and we'll get to those later. For the moment, using a pen and paper is the fastest way for ideas to travel between brain and hand.
Branching Off
Here's how to get started. (For this exercise, we're going to use the story of George seeing the face in the bathmat cited in "Practical Ways to Beat the Block" as an example.) The easiest way to think about Mind Mapping is to imagine a river that branches into tributaries that in turn, branch off into more tributaries that in turn... You get the picture. Or you can think about a tree with branches and twigs.
- Draw a circle in the middle of your page to represent the source of the river or the trunk of the tree.
- Think of a word. Any word that comes to mind when you think about your story.
- George sees a face. Let's start with the word "face."
- Write the word "face" in the middle of the circle.
- To the side of the circle, write down the first word that comes into your mind when you think of "face." Don't edit yourself. If your gatekeeper appears, remember your mantra: "Thank you and goodbye." If you have writer's block so badly that you cannot think of a word, use your thesaurus.
- Let's say your new word is "mask." Circle this word, then draw a line linking it to "face." This is your first branch.
- Now think of the first word that "mask" brings to mind and write that down. Let's say that's "disguise." Circle this word and then draw another line linking it to "mask." This is your second branch.
- Keep adding words and branches until you have exhausted that side of the tree.
- Return to the circle and think of another word associated with "face."
- Repeat steps 5 through 9 using new words.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Mind Mapping -- and any other form of free association -- is not only a great way to wrestle writer's block to the mat and hold it down for a count of three, it's also an excellent way to tap into the unlimited power of your unconscious mind.
Still to Come
Writing from Your Subconscious Mind.
Questions?
Something to say or something to ask? Email Dr. Ideas today.
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