Mind maps for writers
How writers use mind maps to plot a novel, outline an article, keep a character bible and plan a content calendar, starting from a template.
Who this is for
Novelists, journalists, bloggers and copywriters who start with an idea and need a structure before the draft. The hard part is usually order: what comes first, what each section must carry, and what to cut.
What a mind map does for writers
Plot a novel before the first draft
Give acts, key scenes and subplots their own branches, then move scenes around until the turns land where you want them.
Keep a character and setting bible
One branch per character with goals, flaws and relationships under it, so you can check a detail without scrolling through chapters.
Outline an article, then write it
Draft the argument as branches, reorder them, and export Markdown so the outline becomes the headings of your draft.
Plan a run of posts or chapters
Map topics against dates or instalments, so a series has a shape and you know what the next piece must set up.
Templates to start from
Novel plot outline mind map templateA novel plot outline mind map with premise, characters, world, three acts, subplots and theme, to plan a story before you write chapter one.
Blog post outline mind map templateA blog post outline mind map: the reader and the search, a headline, a hook, three main sections with examples, a conclusion with a next step, and checks.
Essay outline mind map templateAn essay outline mind map with thesis, introduction, three reasons, counterargument and conclusion, ready to fill in before you start writing.
Content calendar mind map templateA content calendar mind map with purpose, pillars, formats, this month's posts, workflow, distribution and a review, to plan a month of posts.
Podcast episode plan mind map templateA podcast episode plan mind map with the angle, guest research, segments, questions, intro and outro, recording setup and promotion, for one episode.
Brainstorming mind map templateA brainstorming mind map with warm-up, wild and borrowed ideas, clusters, filters, scores and a next step, to find and sort ideas alone or in a group.
Why a map helps with writing
An outline forces one order too early. A map lets you hold the pieces first and choose the order later, which is the part of writing that most often goes wrong.
When the structure is settled, switch to an outline view. Headings and lists are what most writing tools expect.
Where to start
If you already have notes in Markdown, paste them into the Markdown to mind map tool and look at the shape. Branches that grew long are sections; branches with one item are probably cuts.
Free tools for writers
- Markdown to mind map: Paste Markdown and see it as a mind map.
- Mind map to Markdown: Turn a .xmind or OPML map into a Markdown outline.
- Mind map maker: Start a blank map and build it in your browser.
On iPhone and iPad
MindmapPal for iPhone and iPad opens a map as an outline when you want to write and as a map when you want to rearrange. It exports Markdown, so the outline carries straight into your writing app.
Coming soon to the App Store