Syncing to my iPad mini provides some scope for expanding further on these notes on a larger screen if I need to, however I rarely do this.Ĭurrently in my ‘NaNo Notes’, I have a few thoughts around the plot, a couple of character names I had thought of, and some ideas for an elevator pitch, which only recently came up after a friend asked what the book was about, and I found myself somewhat disjointed in my resulting explanation. Syncing is through iCloud Drive or Dropbox, with exporting options including Freemind and OPML file formats, along with text, PDF and image formatting.Īlthough iOS only, I have been using Drafts for some time, recently upgrading to version 4.įor NaNoWriMo, it has been my go to app to use for quick notes, without needing to pull out my Field Notes and a pen. In organising my ideas, it is the content of what I get down, plain and simple. It does not have the advanced attachment options of say iThoughts, however I simply don’t require those. Of course there are the usual style and formatting options for the background, text and nodes themselves, with a ‘smart layout’ toggle which, if on, will align nodes and branches uniformly throughout the map.Īlthough not it’s intended purpose, I’ve also created a ‘location map’ …map, if you will, which has been perfect for getting my head around where the characters have been, currently are, or are going to, geographically in the story. The same can be achieved through the contextual menus. The nodes can be ‘folded’ down or expanded detached to create another node, or attached to an existing node by tapping, holding and dragging. Tapping a node allows the creation of child node by pressing the ‘+’ icon which appears, with a double tap to edit text. Why MindNode? It’s simplicity is the main drawcard. You will also see a timeline running across the top of the map which I have created on a separate node, which will most likely be split into a second node directly below the current one as the story proceeds and the timeline lengthens. I’ve found it extremely helpful when adding components, to then sit and review the story as a whole, as it is outlined on the map. The initial map itself was constructed just prior to beginning writing, however it is now largely an evolving document which develops alongside the story. Specifically in relation to NaNoWriMo, MindNode has kept organised the general outline of the four overarching plot lines to the story, which I find particularly useful for referring back to in relation to names and relationships. In the past I have used iThoughts, however for 6 months or so, it has been MindNode on iOS, and MindNode Pro on the Mac. Planning and OutliningĪlthough I should no doubt use the technique more, I do find mind mapping incredibly useful. How has the actual writing (as well as a bit more planning) occurred? With a few digital tools, which I thought I would share below. My note taking, outlining, and general scribbling continues with the analogue tools I wrote about last week. So far, my NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) journey continues as we come to the middle of November.
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