Every freelance writer encounters the problem of organization during their writing career. This problem can strike even the most experienced writer, especially when working on large projects such as books or planning a series of blog postings. Losing a train of thought, plot, or theme portends disaster in any writing project. However, there is a solution for avoiding this calamitous state of affairs – mind mapping tools.
Mind mapping tools provide a powerful organization strategy for keeping large projects organized, planned, and well thought-out. Using these tools offer the ability to organize notes, capture ideas, arrange concepts, and keep central ideas pulled together in a logical sequence.
Organizational tools of this nature offer the convenience of a visual representation of writing projects. This representation cannot be obtained by looking at post-it notes stuck to a wall or stacks of notes surrounding a computer. Organization is critical to success as a writer.
Free Tools: Mind Mapping Applications on the Internet
Since most freelance writers live on a tight budget, using free mind mapping tools is a plus. The following are examples of such free tools.
- Bubbl.us – is a free web application which offers the ability to create a colorful map for writers who like to color code the creative thoughts and processes. This tool also provides the ability to embed in an e-mail to send to publishers or other writers who may be collaborating on the project.
- Cmap Tools – is free downloadable application offering the ability to link resources such as photos, images, graphs, videos, charts, tables, texts, web pages, or other concept maps using a simple drag-and-drop operation. Embeddable resources may be located anywhere on the Internet or in personal files.
- Freemind – is a free downloadable application offering the ability to keep track of a project, including subtasks. This software offers the use of search engines to find and bookmark online resources. Writers are also allowed to prioritize, write essays, brainstorm, and organize notes in a database.
- MindMiester – offers creativity as a web-based organization and visual application with a limit of three mind maps. This inexpensive application provides ease of use for taking notes, brainstorm, organization of writing projects, and even offers an iPhone app. This tool provides the ability add notes and create links to web-based resources.
- Mindomo – allows writers to store as many as seven private maps at a time. Features include inserting images, creating links to web resources, inserting audio and video files, and exporting maps for publishers or other collaborating writers.
Inexpensive: Downloadable Organizational Applications
Writers who can afford inexpensive mind mapping tools should explore options which are less than $100.00 for a year’s subscription or purchase. Advantages for at least trying these tools are the typical 30 day free trial, along with being tax deductable.
- Gliffy – designed to take complex information and organize it visually with simple drag and drop ease. Create process flow diagrams, writing projects, writing processes, diagrams, and technical writing drawings. Has features for collaborating with other writers or publishers.
- Mapul – otherwise known as Map My Self, offers the ability to embed links to web resources, upload images, expand and collapse branches of the map, attach notes, export, and attach graphical images to each branch of the map. There is a free version of this application; however this version contains advertisements.
- MindMiester – this paid version offers all the same features of the free version with exception of having an unlimited number of maps.
- Mindomo – this paid version offers the same features of the free version, along with the advantages of unlimited maps, no advertising, viewing of maps in full screen mode, and the ability to upload documents or pictures for embedding in maps.
- MyThoughts – is for Mac computer users only and offers a colorful organization application. Features include search engine integration, adding images, drag and drop, links to files and web resources, and the ability to export as PDF document, Word document, iPhone app, or image.
A freelance writer can think of a mind map as a semantic or cognitive map without formal restrictions. The distinction being a mind map is used to represent words, ideas, and tasks linking them all to a central idea. These tools not only help with organization, they also help with solving problems which often arise in keeping a common thread woven through-out a writing project.
The advantages for these mind mapping tools for freelance writers far outweigh the few minutes it takes to organize their thoughts when working on large projects. These advantages also apply to situations requiring a series of blog posts or online articles be planned in advance. Organization of thoughts and processes a critical to any writers success.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
Join the Conversation