Mind Mapping for Creating Characters

Whether you think about it using flow charts, whiteboards or maybe just thinking , Mind Mapping has been around for a few time now. People have used it for taking notes, brainstorming, and problem-solving. A Mind Map may be a tool wont to visually organize information or ideas. As a writer, it are often used for solving block or creating a workable outline. Today i'm getting to show you ways to make a personality sketch.

Character sketches are often very basic or incredibly detailed. It can include eye and hair color or blood group and your heroes first kiss. Many writers go browsing and appearance for pre-made character sketches that include many questions which will not apply to your work. this is often where the thought of a mind map comes in handy.

For those that aren't conversant in the method , don't be concerned creating a mind map isn't complicated. It are often done on a bit of paper, a whiteboard or using software programs. It doesn't need to be expensive. There are several FREE programs which will do a superb job, including xmind.net, mindmaple.com, and freemind.sourceforge.net. a number of these programs have paid versions, but as a writer, the free versions will do everything you would like .

To create a mind map on any subject there are 4 basic steps.

Step 1 - Start by writing one concept within the middle of a blank page.

Step 2 - Add related ideas to the present concept and use lines to attach them.

Step 3 - Branch off each of those ideas to expand and make new thoughts.

Step 4 - Use different colors, symbols, and pictures to form each branch unique.

To help visualize this process i will be able to use one among my very own characters as an example. Every character you create are going to be different, but if you employ these points as a root , it'll be much easier.

My start line is usually very specific. i exploit my character's name and a photograph of what i feel he or she is going to appear as if . Why do I add a photo? Because because the saying goes, "a picture IS worth thousand words." Personally, I put the name and photo inside a red circle at the middle of the page, sort of a bullseye.

I add new ideas to specialise in around my character. Each idea is placed in its own circle and connected by a wavy line. Why a wavy line? Because straight lines are boring and analytical, i'm trying to tap into the creative side of my brain. i will be able to also use a special color for every circle and therefore the line that connects it, for an equivalent reason.

I specialise in six details with each character. These include Family, Friends, Work, Skills, Physical and Secrets. At now , it'd be hard to return up with a photograph for every category, but you'll use symbols sort of a interrogation point for the section that says Secrets.

This is where the fun begins. Under each main point listed, I include 5 additional sub-ideas. for instance , under Family, i might list Mother, Father, Siblings, Other and History. Each of those would even have their own circle, and that i would color that circle an equivalent because the primary idea Family.

I can already hear someone saying this would possibly not work on behalf of me , my character's parents are dead, or my character is an orphan. So? this is often only to spark ideas. If the mother is dead, this may remind you of that and be a memory for your character to ponder about. If she's not, you'll describe what he liked or disliked about her the foremost .

The same idea applies to Siblings, if he has them he can tell stories of when his brother did this, or his sister did that. If he never had one, did he ever wonder what it might be wish to have a brother or sister?

You might wonder why I included the word Other. Whether your character's parents live or not at some point somebody else had a serious impact on his life. that would be a babysitter, a scout leader or an educator . All folks are created by those we've interacted with.

History would come with things like who was the black sheep of the family, are all the ladies during this family short, have there always been anger issues? These are the items the character himself might not even realize affect his (or her) way of thinking.

I could write a whole article on how your character's family affects the way they act or think or believe. That's quite the purpose of a mind map, you'll go as deep as you would like . By keeping it simple, (one word at a time) it allows your mind to stay filling within the blanks. do not believe me? Just say the word Mother aloud and see what images and thoughts pop into your head.

Most of the categories I listed are obvious, but I do want to require a flash to speak about Secrets. every one on the earth has them and if you think that you'll create a personality without them, you're sadly mistaken. It might be as simple as they never learned to swim, or as dramatic as they killed their own sister. this is often also an honest place to incorporate habits. for instance , if you wrote Taps, it could remind you when he gets nervous he always taps his fingers. If you wrote the word Ring, you'd know she twists her ring when upset. you do not need to write the entire reason why she twists her ring just write the word to stay your imagination going.

Key points to remember:

1st point - Keep is straightforward . One word at a time. you're not writing the story you're capturing ideas to incorporate within the story.

2nd point - Use color. Bright, vibrant colors stimulate the mind. The more stimulated the mind, the better it's to be creative.

3rd point - Use curved lines to attach thoughts. Why? Because if you only use straight lines, the brain gets bored quickly.

4th point - Add images whenever possible. Why? Because if an image is worth thousand words, then 10 pictures are worth ten thousand words. By employing a word AND a picture you engage each side of the brain without limiting your potential.

Once you begin using mind mapping to write down , ideas will flow one after another. It's actually very hard to possess block if ideas come so fast you cannot continue . it's going to not solve all of your writing problems, but it'll make things easier.

Award-winning writer/photographer Tedric Garrison has 40 years' experience with these creative skills. As a Graphic Arts Major, he features a unique perspective on visual arts and believes that creativity are often taught. His photography tells a story and his writing is extremely visual. Tedric shares his insight and perspective at: http://writephotos.weebly.com