Do you like creating mindmaps to brainstorm? If you like to see the relationships in your WIP via circles, solid and dotted lines, Scrivener has a function that allows you to import mindmaps into your project.
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For this tutorial I used the app Scapple, developed by Literature and Latte, the same folks who created Scrivener. Like Scrivener, you can give Scapple a whirl by downloading it (go to http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scapple.php). It has the same trial period as Scrivener: 30 days of actual use.
I created a fairly simple mindmap and just jotted some facts about the writer Alvah Bessie. This is how it looks like:
Scalpel Knife
I saved this as a .PNG on my desktop, and to insert it into the Editor, I could either go to File->Import->Files, and it would go under my research folder. Or I can drag the image from my desktop and insert it directly into the Editor.
The image will be large and if you double click it, a window will appear and you resize it.
Resizing Image in the Editor.
Once you’ve determined the size of the image hit OK.
But whar if you want to do more with the data from the MindMap? You can export it into your project as an Outline Markup (or .OPML) Document and import it into Scrivener. To do this, you’ll export your mindmap as .OPML to your desktop, and in Scrivener go to File->Import->Files. Select your OPML file and hit Import.
Scrapple
You’ll see in the Binder under Research that each Scapple note was imported as an RTF document that you can flesh out.
Scapple Software
You can also save the mindmap as a plain text file and import it to the draft section of the Binder. The notes will appear as a list in the Editor with the name of the mindmap appearing in the header.
Mindmap as Text File.
I find when I’m stuck mindmaps help me understand the direction of where I’m going with the story. If you’re like me, and need the visual inspiration, give Scapple a whirl.