How to Make a Mind Map

A mind map is a way to organize and develop your thoughts before writing a story, even if it is short! Mind maps are fairly easy to make and, depending on how long your story is, you can make a decent mind map in about ten minutes. A mind map is very different from an outline. It uses colors, shapes, and lineage to help organize your thoughts. I find that mind maps get my creative juices flowing better than writing an outline because outlines are so stiff. Here are some tips for mind mapping your works, but remember: there is no wrong way to make a mind map!

Step One:

The first step is to make the shape with your story title in it. This is very simple.

Step Two:

Next, create bubbles for your plot, character, setting, and anything else you can think of.

Step Three:

Add your characters and their details. I like to create arrows that say one character’s relationship to another.

Step Four:

Add the details of your setting. Use this as an overview of the setting, not for the little details. An easy place to start is the where and when.

Step Five:

Add the details for your plot. I like to add the major conflicts and plot points and put them in order. By not adding too many details, your brain is able to get creative with all of the in between scenes.

Step Six:

Add colors and designs to keep things better organized and easier to read.

There you have it! I was able to make this very simple mind map in less than five minutes, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t give it a try! Keep in mind, my mind map was simple, but yours could get a lot more complicated, so organization is key. Best of luck and happy mind mapping!