What if you could take all of the stories, memories, and family research that are bouncing around in your head and get them all out on paper easily so you could pass them along?
As a writer, I know the struggle!
And as a teacher, I have a solution!
Mind mapping.
A mind map is a graphic tool that helps you to visually organize information. It helps me to collect my ideas, knowledge, and thoughts in a manner that is clear and functional. Mind maps can help you not only with brainstorming, but can also assist with structuring your stories.
Here are 4 simple steps you can use to get started creating your own mind map:
Choose a topic. Begin with the main concept or topic and place that topic in the center of the page. I usually draw a circle around it.
Add branches to the main concept. Now that you have your main topic, add branches that will outline the most basic subtopics. Add related ideas and concepts.
Explore topics by adding more branches. These branches will be more specific details to the center circle and circles off of it. This is also a useful way to organize your stories or ideas.
Continue to build outward so you include as many related variables as possible. Remember, this is a form of brainstorming. Let the ideas flow. Don’t edit here. Put them all down. You never know what will come out when you let your creativity take over.
I love using mind maps BOTH for when I have too many ideas or for when I feel blocked. If there are too many thoughts bouncing around in my head, mind mapping helps me see them clearly in an organized manner. It helps me to save them where I can come back to them in the future.
Mind Mapping also works wonders when I can’t seem to think of what to write. I start with a basic theme, topic, quote, or memory to jolt my creativity, write that and circle it in the center of the page and allow the ideas to reveal themselves one bubble at a time.
So how can you use mind mapping while writing your personal stories?
Begin by placing the name of a person you are writing about in the center of your map. Then brainstorm topics, traits, stories you want to capture by continuing to branch out.
For example, my boys never met my parents. I could start with their names as my center, give them each a branch, and then brainstorm all of the stories I want to share about them on additional branches.
Organize around the audience you want to write the stories for. For example I could write my sons names in the middle and then the outer branches would be stories I know I want to pass along to them: specific lessons, memories of them, memories of others I want them to know.
You could also start with a specific topic like “Childhood Memories” or “Vacation Memories” or even a theme like “Lessons Learned” in the center and begin writing the branches of story ideas for those topics, adding more specific details as you get to the outer branches.
The options are endless and not only does the mind map help brainstorm and organize your story ideas, you will now have your collection of ideas recorded in one place that you can return to for inspiration each time you sit down to write.
I actually have an unlined sketchbook I use for my mind maps, but there are also many new software tools that can be used if you prefer an electronic format. Again the options are endless and the process so easily personalized for what works for you!
I’d love to hear how you see mind maps helping with your writing process? Is there a format above that jumps out at you? Do you have another way you use mind mapping with your stories that you would like to share? Comment below or DM @MelissaLovesHistory on Facebook or Instagram and share your feedback! I’d love to hear from you!