Comments on: Mind Mapping Your Blog (or Project)

By: Essential Prose | Zoë Westhof | How to Make Your Own Creative Mini-Retreat: Journaling and Visioning

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:05:23 +0000

[...] – Make a mindmap (more on that here). [...]

By: Zoë

Zoë — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:06:06 +0000

@ Cathy – I’m happy it could be of some use — I like getting glimpses of other people’s thought processes, so I try to share mine too.

By: Cathy Tibbles

Cathy Tibbles — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:27:32 +0000

This is a great example.. I'll use some of these examples in my personal mind mapping. Thanks for posting yours! Cathy Tibbles´s last blog post..Forums, Alerts, and Mind-mapping

By: Zoë

Zoë — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:21:49 +0000

@ Leah – I love peeking at others’ brainstorming — or creation — processes, too! It’s a cool way to envision new connections and approaches.

@ Alex – That’s a worthwhile point about the riddle in the middle (good phrase to coin!). Sometimes it’s OK to have a general word or question, but it can be really useful to spend time framing the question in order to get specific types of responses. Asking who you want to speak to, or why you want people to read your blog… those kind of questions can completely change the outcome — great point.

@ Melissa – Oh, you’re right! I said it made me want to do more video, so now I have to hold to that and get another video post out. Thanks for the reminder .

@ Bobby – Very cool, I have yet to try mind mapping for mapping out my fiction — maybe because I haven’t worked on a novel-length piece yet. It’s great that you found that balance, because I too find it so easy to get caught up in the planning stage — especially when doing mind mapping. I use Free Mind sometimes, paper most of the time, but I just downloaded a trial of MindJet Mind Manager… seems pretty in-depth, but could be useful! I think paper works best for me when doing the initial brainstorm, and then turning to software helps clean and organize the map.

@ Jeb – Great to see you here . I’d love to see/hear about the outcome of your mind map… you’ve got a substantial thing going at HTM, but it’s totally natural that you’re still being deliberate and questioning about the directions you take.

By: Jeb Dickerson

Jeb Dickerson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:14:29 +0000

Hi Z-dub, I feel like I haven't been by in a while...sorry about that. Every time I'm here, though, I come away with something of value, so thank you...again. I've been thinking very much about changing course on HTM a bit, as well as about a potential new blog project. Haven't been able to decide if keeping them separate is the right move or whether combining the two might work. Perhaps it's the perfect opportunity to try Mind-Mapping for the first time. I'll let you know how it goes. Jeb Dickerson´s last blog post..The World Has Moved On

By: Bobby Revell

Bobby Revell — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:04:01 +0000

Hello Zoe! I used a mind map program to help construct the plot to my novel (though it really has a simple plot and deals more with post modern escapism and counter-culture), which is still evolving. It took some getting used to, but has been helpful. At one point, I spent more time on the mind map than on actual writing, but I've found a way to balance it all and know the limitations of how to use it effectively without having it get in my way (which is is easy to do as I tend to overdo things and take them to the extreme). Do you use a mind map program or do you do them all on paper? I've tried dozens of different programs, but the one I actually use is Freemind (it's really easy and free and can be exported as a detailed list) Bobby Revell´s last blog post..The Ugly Bitch

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:34:09 +0000

Ah, I love mind maps. They always look like art to me. Yours is wonderful, and after taking a close look, the only question I have is: when are we going to see more videos? I loved the last one you posted! Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..18 Do-it-Yourself Proofreading Tips

By: Alex Charchar

Alex Charchar — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:41:15 +0000

I love mind maps, or at least the idea of them.. I’ve tried a few times (after reading your posts actually and have had one or two good things come of it, but after just sitting down to do one for my own site, found it difficult.. will have to give it another go.. I’m trying to figure out the direction of my site better.. maybe I’m not asking the right riddle in the middle?

Thanks for another inspiring post

Alex Charchar´s last blog post..The Sketches of Leonardo

By: Leah

Leah — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:07:24 +0000

I've become a big fan of mind-mapping lately and love reading about the brainstorming process that others follow! It's great to see the visual. Thank you for that!! Leah´s last blog post..Celebrate Your Creativity

By: Zoë

Zoë — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:56:08 +0000

@ Alex – So true — whenever I roll out my paper and materials and expand my space, it inevitably seems to expand my thinking process! An easel with big sheets of paper or whiteboard could be an option…

@ Richard – That’s a great use of Wordle — I think I originally picked it up on your blog . It helps us take a more zoomed-out view of the directions we follow.

@ Roy – Thanks for linking to that wiki. I do agree with you that it’s extremely useful to expand our toolboxes, and just as important to prioritize flexibility. I love learning new ways to map information, but I think I mainly got interested in mind mapping because I had such an informal introduction to it.

@curiousjessica – OK, one vote for travel! I think I’ll do a post and see what the response is like .