TOP 30, Mind Maps, iPad’s Word Processor and PDF–again

I am delighted to learn that this blog has been included in 30 Finest Creative Writing Blogs of 2009, an annual list by Online Colleges and Universities, a database for students.  You may wish to check the annotated list, as you may find a valuable resource there.  Just scroll down to the article.

MIND MAPPING

Do any of you utilize Mind Maps to help brainstorm and organize for your writing?  If so, please share your thoughts and experiences — and your methodology.

Somehow I can’t myself get into mind mapping, even though I’m a rather visual person.  But intellectually, it seems to me that the mind-mapping technique, which I’ve investigated off and on ever since Tony Buzan first published his book, would be very valuable, especially to creative writers.

Anyway, there are quite a number of computer mind-mapping programs.  Bits du Jour will be offering one of them — MindVisualizer Standard, software for free-form thinking — at half price on Friday, 5 February.  I thought I should pass this along to those who might be interested.

IPAD WORD PROCESSOR

Here’s a link to a video showing the demo of the iPad Word Processor, from last week’s Apple event.  The video is available courtesy of ZDnet.  I must admit that it really looks inviting.

PDF CONVERTER — again

Our reader Daniel has noticed that AnyBizSoft has extended its FREE offer on its software PDF to Word Converter through March 1, available via the developer’s website.  I pass this on in case you missed the original Giveaway of the Day offer from last week.  I’ve downloaded it myself for my writer’s toolbox — looks to be potentially useful.

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    Comment by
    Authorian Legend
    4 Feb 2010

    Congratulations on making the list! I'm also not much into mind-mapping–I tried, and my brain ended up more cluttered. :-) I'm more used to thinking in a linear fashion, making individual strands of thought then making connections later.

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    5 Feb 2010

    Authorian, that's the way I think too. Learned to outline in high school, and really like the ease of building outlines with today's software tools.

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    5 Feb 2010

    Authorian, while I'm not a fiction writer, I did look at some story structure programs a couple years ago. They were more like story outliners though. Would you be willing to a post, or even a short series, to share your experiences with story development software for our readership?

    Comment by
    Authorian Legend
    5 Feb 2010

    What software do you use? Right now I've been trying to use those story structuring software. The easiest so far has been Blake Snyder's Save The Cat.

    Comment by
    Mark Welker
    12 Feb 2010

    Hi Tom, I tried using MindMeister for a while, which is completely online and free for up to 5 mindmaps. At first I thought it was the greatest writing tool known to man, but whilst the program is excellent for creating mindmaps, my writing process doesn't seem to benefit much from mindmapping.

    In the end, I nut my story out by slogging away at the page. If I get stuck, plot points reveal themselves over days, not, unfortunately, in a couple of hours mapping my novel out. I found that updating my mind map was an afterthought, and mainly for procrastination purposes.

    However, I think for non-fiction writers it would be perfect for keeping all their subjects/arguments logically together, or for those who do extensive plotting before they begin. Highly recommend MindMeister.

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    12 Feb 2010

    Mark, just visited your home page. I find it especially appealing for some reason: simple, straight-forward, uncluttered — and somehow very human and emotional.

    And the VIDEO clips! So evocative.

    Good luck with your challenges for the year. Let me know when the novel is done.

    And thanks for the note about MindMeister. I think you are right on. Mind mapping can be very helpful to some people — but for me, it's a time-waster. On the other hand, I've seen mind mapping used in group brainstorming sessions, where the technique really shined. An excellent tool for teachers.

    Comment by
    Mark Welker
    13 Feb 2010

    Thanks Tom, I'm glad you liked the videos. Just a side hobby when I run out of things to write.

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