Powered by Twitter Tools

Powered by Twitter Tools

I tried using notebooks (you know those old fashioned moleskin things, where you actually use a pen to write!), but they’ve just turned into a rambling mess, and I can’t believe how bad my handwriting is.

I tried using a word processor and now I have 10 or so obscurely named documents, located on various computers, most of which I’ve forgotten the password to.

So, I reverted to my non-fiction writing buddy – mind mapping software. I installed the latest version of Freemind, the open source software for mapping all types of ideas that I’ve used for a few years, with great success. And I at least now have a messy mindmap (actually 4 mindmaps) that shows some progress to taming my madness.

Here’s a video demo of freemind, I love it for so many writing projects.

Freemind Demo

However, it’s just not good enough. It isn’t mapping the weird connections, it’s too linear and yet not linear enough. I can’t see the gaps nor the opportunities. I can’t see any flow, a mindmap jumps around just as much as my mind does. I need some order AND creativity. Phew, this is hard.

Most of the books on writing suggest using index cards, but I can’t bring myself to step so far back in time. And my handwriting really is awful!

Now the question is, am I just putting off the inevitable of getting stuck into the writing part, or do I really need some software to help me bring order to the chaos?

What method do you use for getting the ideas captured? How do you go from your head to paper? Straight to a first draft? Index cards? Software?

Let me have your suggestions below, thanks!

Powered by Twitter Tools

Since I was a kid I wanted to be a writer. I remember my school careers day, when I said I wanted to be a writer the adviser looked at me, with her head cocked to one side, patted my hand and said, “That’s lovely my dear, now about a career, I suggest childcare or banking. There are loads of great jobs round here for a bright girl like you.” Enough said!

Now, I’ve had the idea for this novel for a while, it’s been cogitating, mutating and generally gestating. Now I feel ready to write it. It’s based on true stuff (write what you know!) with a twist or two, some major exaggeration (“I’ve told you a million times…”) and a completely fictional ending.

I will be doing a lot of research over the coming weeks. So far I’m researching the following topics: bipolar disorder, the 80s, brain dump software for writers, psychological profiling, social marketing for authors (twitter, facebook and stuff), depression, mental health care – I’ll be posting my findings of useful stuff as I find them.

I have been writing during that time, I just couldn’t get myself into writing for the blog. I wasn’t sure that I had anything to say publicly. I’m still not sure, but I realised that if I didn’t at least start, then I would never know!

So, I’m writing a novel. My first foray into fiction. I’ve written lots of business books and business articles in the past (under pseudonyms and as a ghost writer) but never fiction.

I’ve read lots of fiction, so it can’t be that hard, can it? (Joke!)

So, my plan with this blog is to show you my writing progress, or lack of progress. To share my ups and downs. To show you what I learn along the way. I’m also hoping that I’m going to learn a lot from you – who ever you are. So, please post comments, follow me, connect with me here and at facebook or twitter and tell me what you think. Help me! Please?