Cindy Rae Writes

If you are visually-oriented and producing a novel, you may find this visual tour of ways to design and develop your story helpful.

Part 1 of this series covers mind maps, with examples and links to beneficial resources.

Mind-Mapping

Visually brainstorm story ideas, characters, plot, outline, and more, unconstrained by ordering or structuring

From the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Library

You can explore character details

Wikipedia, My Antonia

A quick, fast way to brainstorm characters and relationships for your story

From Caroline Lawrence via Biggerplate

For some of us by hand is quicker than software. It also allows for more flexibility in colors, curves, and more.

From Iain Broome

Map the story in detail, even adding clipart or photos if you wish.

From Biggerplate

If you’re chapter-oriented in your thinking, consider the reader impact you want each chapter to have.

From Sina Ghaffarnejad’s digital portfolio

Brainstorm your individual scenes

Mind Mapping Can Help Organize Your Writing Process

Covers different kinds of maps and briefly how to use them.

A Guide to Storytelling with Mind Maps

Specific cases from idea brainstorming to defeating writer’s block to adding layers and context.

How to Mind Map a Novel Plot

Got a half-baked idea for a novel? This article will help.

How to Mind Map

A detailed beginner’s guide to mind mapping. Generalized.

The best mind map software of 2020

Tech Radar’s take on the best software for mind mapping.