How to Get Your Book Ideas Out of Your Head…

Mind mapping is one of an author’s most valuable tools when planning a novel. It allows you to get every single idea that’s been floating around in your head out onto paper where you can see it with your physical eyes.

It can help you see what ideas relate, and which ones go in sequential order. You can also discover ideas that will not fit for this book, but don’t throw them away! Hang onto those ideas in your idea pocketbook. They may come in handy later on.

So how do you create a Mind Map?

First, take a sheet of paper (or my favorite, a giant stickie note) and write out your big idea, or your key concept, in the center. Then put it in a bubble. From here, take a new marker and make other bubbles that connect back to your big idea.

These can include character names, settings, major plot points, specific scenes that keep playing in your mind, and anything else that pertains to your book. Get as detailed as possible. Every single idea you’ve had for this book needs to be put on the paper, even if you’re not sure that you’ll use it. Write it down.

Once completed, you can take a different colored marker and connect your smaller ideas that go together. You can also put numbers next to each bubble to help you identify what needs to happen first, second, third, etc.

This is also a wonderful space to decide what tense you want to write your book in. First or third? Present or past?

***note*** think about what the most common tense is used for books in your genre.

For help, check out these articles:

Pros and cons to present tense

https://thewritepractice.com/past-tense-vs-present-tense

https://theeditorsblog.net/2012/01/31/narrative-tense-right-now-or-way-back-then

First, second, and third person

https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/point-of-view-first-second-third-person-difference

Past tense is very common, and as such, readers can fall into your story quicker. Present tense is great for an action based story because the plot is always moving forward.

Present tense is very action oriented, and can sometimes feel overwhelming to readers if there are no slow moments for them to catch their breath.

First person keeps us in the head on the Point Of View character. This gives us insight into their thoughts and feelings in a very intimate way. This can be a great option for a first book as you have only one character’s thoughts to keep track of.

Third person puts distance between the reader and the characters. It can also afford the writer several perspectives with which to play. You won’t be limited to only one person’s view of the world. **This will require planning to keep it cohesive.

I hope these tips help. If you use the mind-mapping method, tell me how it went in the comments.

Until next week!