When creating a strong and interesting narrative, the author must answer of series of important questions. Among these questions are: What will the narrative be about? Who are your main characters in the narrative? What conflict or conflicts will surround the characters? Mind Mapping is an effective tool that authors can use when creating a narrative, because it provides an effective way to organize the main characters, themes, and key conflicts in the narrative. With Mind Mapping, the author can make use of visual images, colors, symbols and words, to more easily outline her or his thoughts surrounding the narrative.

How Is A Narrative Mind Map Created?

A narrative Mind Map should consist firstly of the theme or main idea of the narrative, represented by a central topic located in the center of the map. Next, the supporting themes surrounding the main idea, such as the characters or locations that will be central to the narrative, can be listed on “branches” that are attached to the central image. The conflicts among characters can then be listed on “child branches” connecting the characters involved in the conflicts. Lastly, the topics least important to the main idea of the narrative, such as minor storylines or characters, can be shown on “twigs” that are attached the “branches”. In putting together a Mind Map in this manner, the author can use whatever images, words, colors, or symbols he or she wishes to bring, life to the themes, character, and ideas for his or her topic.

Comparing a Traditional Narrative Outline and Mind Map of a Narrative

A traditional narrative outline will most often present the main theme of the narrative, as well as the characters, locations, and conflicts found in the narrative, linearly. Consider the following Chapter One outline of an author who has used a traditional layout:

Title: Murder in the First Degree

I.Chapter One

A.Introduction of the Main Characters and Location of the Narrative

1.Kathryn (The Wife)

2.Craig (The Husband)

3.Eric (The Wife’s Lover and Murder Victim)

4.John (The Sheriff)

5.Detective Warner

6.Calamesa, CA (The Location)

B.Introduction of Character Interactions/Conflicts

1.Samantha and Craig’s Relationship

a.Where are how they met

b.How long they have been romantically involved

2.Kathryn and Gary’s Relationship

a.How long they have been married

b. Aaron’s abuse of Kathryn

3.Antagonistic Relationship Between Craig and Eric

4.Tony’s longstanding dislike of Craig

a.Why Tony Dislikes Craig (reason?)

b.Craig many lawsuits brought against Tony for slander (?)

C.Murder

1.Body Found

a)How Victim Was Murdered (Stabbed to Death)

b)Who Found Body (Aaron standing over body with knife)

2.Suspect Arrested

Contrast this outline with a Mind Map of Chapter One of the narrative, represented in the attached Mind Map diagram. In the Mind Map diagram, the themes, characters, and conflicts of the narrative are presented spatially, and are spread across the page. Moreover, while the traditional outline includes only text, the Mind Map incorporates not only text, but images, colors, and graphics as well. The result is a more visually stimulating diagram of the main themes, characters, and conflicts, making them easier to conceptualize.

Writing a Narrative from the Mind Map

Both the traditional outline and the Mind Map can be used as a jumping off point for the actual writing of the narrative. However, consider the visual imagery and spatial depth of the Mind Map; the Mind Map engages the writer’s brain in a more creative manner, and allows him or her to more actively visualize the narrative as seen in the mind’s eye. By allowing the author to visualize her or his narrative in this manner, a Mind Map provides her or him with a more intuitive transition to the actual writing of the narrative. The process of outlining the narrative and writing the narrative are thus linked in one creative process, and the development of the story can evolve more naturally.