Excellent points, Tony. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!

I’ve also found that checklists are good for idea generation and overall design of the article, chapter, essay or whatever you are writing.

Sometimes a version of the pyramid style — the main point at the top, then success explanations/expansions toward the bottom — works for structure because you can move points around to create better flow. This is best for more journalistic-style writing.

In the end, though, it’s all about “laying the bricks” — putting the right words into the right order to create the right concepts that tell a story.

It might help if the idea you write in the centre of your mindmap is an ANGLE rather than a topic. Give yourself lots of thinking time BEFORE mindmapping. I always like going for a walk before I mindmap….

Thanks, Daphne, I’ve restarted mind mapping with a vengeance after listening to you and reading your posts. I’m still grappling with the transition from the mind map to the article. I’m sure I’ll work it out soon.
Thanks also for the tip about covering the monitor while writing the first draft. That has helped to break my compulsive habit of editing while writing.
Looking forward to Tuesday…

As soon as I have the “aha moment” (ie: I know what I want to write about) I start writing! The purpose of mindmapping is to AVOID a linear, logical approach and to stay in the creative part of your brain. Mindmapping is an INSPIRATIONAL tool. And writing is an inspirational activity. I try to avoid anything linear/logical until I get to the editing stage.

Does this help?

Jennifer, if something works for you, continue doing it. (I am not in the business of fixing what’s NOT broken!) That said, I still think outlining is a bad idea for most people. The big problem with it is that it puts you in your linear & logical brain when, in fact you want to be in your CREATIVE brain when writing. For people who are truly in love with outlining, I suggest they do it AFTER they’ve finished writing. Then it can be a useful tool for ensuring you’ve said everything you’ve wanted to.

I knew what you meant! 🙂

I meant shouldn’t ONLY, not should 🙂