Images from Author
Caveat
If you've been writing for decades or if you're the type of writer who can sit down with an idea and write 2000 words easily without planning or blinking once you can stop reading now.
How it came to be.
Working 9 - 5 and having a family limits my Laptop time. When I do sit at my desk, my Laptop time is pretty much filled up with different things other than planning what to write next.
Adding to this I do have a history with Bullet Journaling. Although I switched back to digital a couple years ago, taking notes in a meeting or mind mapping some situation stayed with me.
Whenever you don't necessarily have to use your phone, try using a notebook instead. Become an advocate for more offline and offscreen time.
You may have already read about Sparknotes and mine are mostly nothing more than a header and maybe a short text to explain what I was thinking. In a weekly review you can look through your ideas, wherever you collect them, and choose one or two that resonate with you. That's what happened with The Blurse of Modern Times. Just these 5 words was all I hacked in to my phone a while back.
Advantages of Thought Mapping
Digital Detox - Many people already understand the advantage of getting away from screens for a certain amount of time. Some set away one day a week, others like me outsource particular processes to the analog world. This is the reason not to use a digital Mind Mapping solution.
Distraction Free - When you sit down with paper and pens to ponder, unless your on call from work, turn off all bells and whistles. There's no need for any sounds or screens to be vying for your attention.
It slows down the mind; if you let it.
You need only the 3 P's - Paper, Pen, Pondering.
It is the pre-stage to outlining.
Example The Blurse of Modern Times
Walking around the town a while back, there were an unusual amount of people walking. I've noticed this years ago but on this day it seemed as though every single person was hypnotized by their cell phone, wandering in different directions. It was just a chance meeting of me and all these people but It was amazing for me.
The first thought that came to mind was "Guess it's the curse of our modern times." In thinking about my own use of technology and what a blessing it can be, the next thought that came up was "not a curse per se - it's actually a blessing when you've learned how to do without it." So that became a note to myself. Sparknote - The Blurse of Modern Times. Of course technology as such is a blessing, for example in the developments in medicine. Anywho…
That's the note I chose to thought map, outline & publish last week.
Give it a try
This method is not for long fiction and probably not so good for a short story. For that I would recommend The corkboard view in Scrivener. Or whatever you use.
If you have paper and a felt tip pen or three you can take an idea, turn off everything digital and spend some time thought mapping. You may find it refreshing or that it helps you organize your thoughts better.
Let us know what you think!