Thanks so much for adding these! I’m sure some of my readers will want to give them a try.

Mind Node (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
http://mindnode.com

Scrapple (Mac and Windows (from the Scrivener folks))
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scapple.php

Thanks for the post, Louise. When I use mindmapping for writing, I NEVER use it to organize. But when I use it to plan something very big (like a book) or something multifaceted (like a party or a major project) I do use it for organizing. Call it the exception that proves the rule!

Thanks for giving me this column idea, Omer. To clarify, I don’t think outlines are ever a good idea. Here’s why:
https://www.publicationcoach.com/five-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-outline/ You do need to THINK before writing but, for me, this should be done well before you sit down at your desk. Go for a walk (or run or swim or something like that) and think about what you want to write. You need to have done most of your research too. THEN, you can sit down and do a mind map. As soon as you have the “aha” then just start writing. If the work needs more organization you can address that when you’re editing. Hope this helps!

I think the differentiation of Organizational mindmap from Inspirational mindmap is very important.

Still, it seems that once you have that “aha!” moment you do want to organize your writing somehow before you start writing, maybe using an outline (that you council against, but I believe that if it comes after the mindmap it can still be okay).

Do you mean that you should just write without planning AT ALL? Just having an “aha” of what I want to do? Does that apply to fiction, as well as non fiction and even academic writing?

Am I getting it wrong?

Thanks again 🙂

Mindmapping is useful for so many things. Some people use it to take notes. I like it for party-planning 🙂

Interesting! In North America the term “brainstorming” is generally used for group activities.

We call them brain storming in Australia