Posted by Kristen Crowley Held
As you've probably guessed from my collage post, I'm definitely a visual thinker. Today I thought I’d introduce you to another visual brainstorming method: webs!
Webs are also known as mind maps, spidergrams, or clusters, but essentially they all involve creating a diagram/visual map with a central concept surrounded by associated concepts. They're a simple tool that can help you visualize and develop your story ideas. All you really need to create a web is a piece of paper and a pencil, but if you want to get fancy, you can use one of my favorite software tools, something called, aptly enough, Inspiration© (Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Inspiration Software, Inc., I'm just a fan!).
 | |
|
So what exactly is Inspiration©?
"Inspiration© allows you to create a picture of your ideas and concepts in the form of a diagram or mind map. It also provides an integrated outlining environment for developing your ideas into organized written documents. Inspiration stimulates both visual and linear thinking to deepen understanding of concepts, increase memory retention, develop organizational skills and tap creativity."
Sounds cool, right? So how can you use this visual learning software to help you write a story?
 |
A web representing The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
|
When building a web with Inspiration© you can start with a template or build your diagram from scratch. You can use words or images to express your ideas, examine character relationships, organize your plot, or create a plan of attack for writing your story. Inspiration© has a built-in library of symbols available for use or you can insert images of your own.
You can create a web that explores your story as a whole:
 |
In this case the main character is the central image surrounded by supporting characters and plot elements.
|
Or a web that focuses on a specific character:
 |
You can explore what makes your character tick, how they connect to other characters, bits of their backstory, etc.
|
Or a specific element of your story:
 |
Is there a specific theme you want to explore? How might the various elements of your story reflect that theme?
|
I haven't tried it myself but Inspiration©'s Presentation Manager allows you to create presentations from your webs. You can also transfer the information in your web into outline form. One of the other advantages to creating webs with a software program is the ability to rearrange things at will. And you never have to worry about losing the piece of paper with your web on it.
Although Inspiration© is the only web making software I’ve tried, WikIT has oodles of information on the various graphic organizer software options available, many of which are free!
If you'd like to try Inspiration©, you can download a 30 day trial here (they're currently having a Fall sale so if you decide you want to buy it you can get it for 50% off- again I am in no way affiliated with Inspiration Software, Inc.!).
If you do decide to try creating your own web, I'd love to hear how it goes!
Very cool! I've been in Terri Farley's workshops on clustering a couple of times and it really is halfway magic the way our human brain responds to extrapolating ideas in this way. Terri swears by it when she gets to a 'stuck place'. She puts down the issue that isn't working and brainstorms away. It's fast and easy and by the end, she has several solutions for her stuckness!
ReplyDeletePlus, your software makes pretty pictures!
Yes! I loved Terri's workshop! It really is amazing what comes out when you're just letting the words fly :).
DeleteOoh, I like the nifty pictures! This is some seriously cool software. I'm always afraid, though, that I'll have so much fun with things like this that I won't actually write. How do you address that for your own work?
ReplyDeleteThen again, the internet is distracting, & I still manage to work. Not at this exact moment, obviously. :)
I'm all about finding the fun, remember? And I figure it's time well spent when you end up with that one idea that makes you decide you are brilliant. :)
Deleteooh! I love this idea. I see potential for many projects. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Linda! Let me know if you give it a shot!
DeleteI like this .. I do this on my wall .. but easier with software. Thanks KCH!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see what one of your wall webs looks like, Hazel!
DeleteInteresting. I always make loads of spidergrams (or whatever they're called) for my picture books. But for me, it's the making them quickly that works and it looks like the spontaneity would be taken out of it completely by having to find pictures etc... I can see it would be fun for school visits though, if you can do presentations with them. Thanks for the post. Really interesting to see. Clare.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Clare! The software has a RapidFire mode that allows you to take advantage of the spontaneity factor, so sometimes I'll fill in a web with words first and then go back in and add the images once I find them. Other times I start with an image and work off of that.
DeleteI think another reason using the software appeals to me is that I can trick my brain into thinking I'm playing a computer game instead of working :).
You rock! What a fabulous resource for writers! Thanks for sharing the info.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandie!
DeleteI am going to try this! I am NOT a visual thinker, but I want to open myself up more to mind mapping. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI think mind mapping really is something that can work for everyone because it's such a combination of right brain and left brain. Let me know how it goes, Julie!
DeleteI am very visual, too. When I sew, I look at the pattern illustrations instead of reading directions. In fact, when I learn anything new, I always look at the pictures first. Thanks for posting, Kristen!
ReplyDeleteHow did I not know you were a sewster too, Ellen?! Yes, the illustrations always make way more sense than the written directions!
DeleteFun - and the idea of doing it on the computer to incorporate images (and I suppose be able to read my handwriting) is interesting...
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!
Lee
Ah, yes, being able to read whatever brilliant idea you come up with is definitely a plus!
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Lee!
And, Go Team Emma (sorry, couldn't resist)!
Well, I'm not one to remind you but I told you this was great like 5 millions times already. So there!
ReplyDeleteI think it was only 4.5 million, but feel free to remind me of greatness as frequently as you like.
ReplyDelete