I've done a mind map of Part Five, The Fourth Core Competency--Story Structure of the book on writing titled
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. Due to limitations in my knowledge of how to present these pictures, I've had to show the whole mind map followed by various sections of the map enlarged. What I'm trying to achieve with this map is an overview of the components of story structure as presented by the author. If I can comprehend the entirety of the components in one visual, it should be easier for me to follow and remember. I could have done a straight outline of the chapter, but the visual component would be missing. Combining a limited outline with the visual component of the mind map, I should have a better grasp of story structure, a mental picture. This mind map is based on my understanding of the key components. One word or group of words represents paragraphs, even pages of information. It would not mean much to someone who hasn't read the book. But, because I've read it, I understand what everything stands for.
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| Mind Map of Story Structure |
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| Right side of mind map. |
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| Lower right corner of mind map. |
 Left side of mind map. |
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I hope this illustration has given you an idea of one way to use a mind map. Reading something is one thing. Understanding it is another. I think mind mapping helps with understanding and remembering.
Left side of mind map.
4 comments:
I went to a class by Larry Brooks last weekend.
I do not work the way he works in writing. My first draft of any given scene is dialogue only. I think I'll use his 6 cc's when I'm doing my final draft - to make sure it all ties in.
I find it interesting that you write the dialogue first. I would never have thought of doing that. Maybe I'll try it sometime. As far as Brooks' 6 cc's, it's a bit foreign to me, too. But as I read his book, I could see how it was relevant to my writings. How I will actually implement his theories is yet to be seen, but they do seem valuable.
You've done an amazing job mapping this. Very impressive.
I'm like Jolene. I use a lot of dialogue. Not just dialogue, but a lot. I have tried writing several screenplays because my strong point is dialogue. Having to write scene/people descriptions bores me and I'm not that good with it, probably because I have a poor visual memory.
It's how to implement the theories, as you say. Understanding what one reads is crucial. Understanding is crucial, period, I think.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Ann Best, Memoir Author
Wow, this is so neat. It creates a snapshot. I will use this after I write my first draft, to deepen the world I created.
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