| Writing a novel is a huge undertaking calling for a | | | | well.). |
| great deal of creativity and good organisational | | | | 2. Hit the page with every idea you can think of |
| skills. | | | | which you think your novel should be about, e.g. |
| At first sight, you wouldn't think these two | | | | historical, sci-fi, thriller, murder, abduction, personal |
| concepts would work well together, but mind | | | | discovery, etc, etc, etc. |
| mapping is about to prove you wrong! | | | | 3. From these ideas, brain storm more ideas. |
| If you are not sure what mind mapping is, think | | | | These should branch off from these top level |
| of it like a doodle pad where you jot down ideas, | | | | ideas. Don't worry if some of your efforts don't |
| beginning with a central concept, (your novel), and | | | | tie in with your preconceived thoughts. You're |
| then write down other ideas as and when they | | | | trying to release your creativity here! Accept that |
| occur. | | | | your subconscious may be offering you better |
| These ideas are usually written in circles or | | | | options! |
| balloons and linked with lines and arrows to other | | | | 4. If you like to use pictures, colours or graphics, |
| ideas. The whole process is usually done | | | | go ahead, these are particularly good for |
| extremely fast as the idea is to force your | | | | characters. You can draw them yourself or find |
| subconscious to come up with ideas which you | | | | them in magazines. Stick them on your map and |
| wouldn't normally have access to in less frenetic | | | | let them suggest more ideas for your novel. E.g. |
| moments! | | | | names, character traits, ethnicity, occupation etc. |
| Some people like to include pictures and colour to | | | | 5. Don't try to edit or discard any thought! You will |
| further define relationships between items and | | | | amass a lot of data you won't use initially, but |
| events. | | | | there is a good chance you may want to include |
| Mind maps are used by all kinds of people for a | | | | it later. |
| range of functions, but for novelists they are | | | | 6. Don't take too long over the process. The |
| particularly useful as you can quickly amass a | | | | subconscious works best when under pressure. |
| large amount of information about your new book | | | | Set a deadline and stick to it. Short bursts are |
| within a very short space of time. | | | | definitely best. 10 - 15 minutes will certainly pile on |
| Once you have this down, you can adapt the | | | | the pressure! Less for an article. |
| technique to organise your ideas into a logical | | | | 7. Once you have finished your mind map you |
| order right down to mapping out individual | | | | can then take the information you want to use |
| characters and chapters. | | | | and organise it into a map of your entire novel. |
| Here are a few tips to help get you started: | | | | This will include a short synopsis, character |
| 1. Start by writing MY NOVEL (or article if you like | | | | portraits and chapter breakdowns. |
| as this method is great for planning articles out as | | | | |