Visual Strategies for Writing & the Business of Writing

While mind mapping or knowledge mapping, is a well known notetaking strategy, it can also be used for planning or moving around ideas, especially if you are a visual learner. Tony Buzan has written over 84 books on the subject. If you can get past the sales plug for his new product, iMindMap, a computer version of mind mapping, this short video (5:38) gives some interesting insights into Maximising the Power of the Brain.

Buzan explains that the brain thinks organically in terms of an idea and associations. So as well as planning, a mind map is a good way to summarise a book you’ve read or the main points of a key note, and then to recap, revisit or share it.

Mind mapping offers interesting possibilities for use by writers. A few that come to mind are -

- deciding on a brand strategy or focus

- brainstorming marketing ideas

- finding connections between the different arms of your writing business

- easy access summaries of main points from useful books

- planning your day

- fine tuning your direction for an article or plot

- arguments for and against - business decisions or in your writing

- points of view

- character development

Any others? How do you use mind mapping? Have you seen mind mapping used effectively?

Computer generated or hand written mind maps? Which is best?

I am intrigued to know whether creating and using computer generated mind maps, is as effective, less effective or more effective than a hand written one. The tactile nature of a hand written mind map may help the process, but then a computer generated one may be more accessible and easier to follow down the track.

I might download the free trial of Buzan’s product, and give it a go. Here are some basic examples. What intrigues me about it, is that you can add visuals including photos, and use hyperlinks.

More Visual Learning & Organising Strategies
Guy Kawasaki has some interesting outgoing links about the art of visualisation, including a periodic table of visualisation methods. Hold the mouse over each table element, and a visual of each method shows. Any visual learners looking for some great ways to organise or process information? The periodic table of visualisation offers a plentiful smorgasbord of graphic organiser strategies all in one place.

Business & Marketing