| How to Outline your Book and Chapters with | | | | Fourth, in mindmaps you see the whole related to |
| Mindmapping | | | | the parts. |
| Judy Cullins C. 2003 All Rights Reserved | | | | Your thesis, chapter titles, and chapter contents all |
| Mindmapping is better than linear outlining because | | | | flow becauseyou answered each question your |
| authors canuse flexible thinking and relativity in | | | | readers had. This fast-forwardtechnique allows me |
| writing their book. One can addand subtract a | | | | to write at least two or three books eachyear, |
| thought or phrase from a mindmap easily. | | | | and makes each book more organized, more |
| Mindmappingis an excellent way to start, organize, | | | | focused andclear, easier to read, and finally brings |
| and finish your book. | | | | more sales becausepeople can understand the |
| What is Mindmapping? | | | | information quickly and easily. |
| Mindmapping is a color-coded outline of main ideas, | | | | For a picture of a mindmap of "Your Book's |
| sub topicsand details, printed on different colored | | | | Format" go to |
| branches connected tothe center. In the center in | | | | How Do I Create My Mindmap? |
| a circle, you will list your main idea,such as your | | | | Use a large sheet of paper, at least 8 ½ by 11 |
| book or chapter title. | | | | inches, but Irecommend a large square of butcher |
| For "The One-Minute Sales Person", Spencer's | | | | paper or poster board, soyou can spread out and |
| mindmap wouldhave had seven different colored | | | | enjoy the process! Have at least six orseven |
| vertical branches coming fromthat center, so | | | | colored felt-tip pens in primary and bright colors |
| details can be put on connected | | | | ready. |
| horizontalbranches. (much easier to read) | | | | In the center, encircle your title. Arrange your |
| What are the advantages of Mindmapping? | | | | chapter headings,each on a different colored |
| First, a mindmap is open-ended and open-minded. | | | | vertical branch, around the center inany order |
| No moresqueezing new "ahas" or ideas into the | | | | (you can number them later) If you can't think of |
| strict, tight form of thelinear outline. You can | | | | atitle, put a few key words. Use only one color |
| make mistakes in your mindmaps. | | | | per branch. Offeach main branch, put five or so |
| Imperfection leads to creativity. When you get an | | | | other horizontal branches ofparticular chapter |
| idea forchapter one, you can just add another | | | | parts. |
| branch off the main one. | | | | Even though you later change your mind about |
| Mindmapping expands flexible thinking, making for | | | | the contents, thisinitial mindmap gives you the |
| betterwriting. | | | | overall picture of what your book isand what it will |
| Second, mindmaps use only three to five | | | | share with its readers. I made several |
| concrete or colorwords on a branch. These key | | | | mindmapsof my Passion book before I settled on |
| words help jog our memory. | | | | the best information toinclude. |
| Under Chapter One "Attracting Passion," I added | | | | Practice: Create your book's mindmap on a |
| severalhorizontal lines that represented the | | | | separate piece ofpaper |
| format that follows. Oneline had "opening quote," | | | | Practice: Create one chapter's mindmap on a |
| the next one "introduction," the nextone "Jerry's | | | | separate piece ofpaper now. |
| Story," the next "Food for Thought and Action," | | | | Wow! You are up to speed. You have your |
| thenext, "Passion Hot Line," the last line, "practice." | | | | thesis--what challengeyour book will solve, your |
| Third, mindmaps speed up your writing because | | | | chapter working titles, your rough draftevolving |
| you only writekey phrases. When you sit down at | | | | with a Table of Contents, and you have questions |
| the computer, from yourcolor-coded map, the | | | | toanswer in each chapter. |
| answers will flow naturally. If you need tofatten | | | | Mindmapping is an excellent way to start, |
| up your chapter, just go to your chapter file | | | | organize, and finishyour book. |
| folders whereyou keep your research. | | | | |