So I didn’t test any of the downloadable ones. Plus, I’m probably going to blog about it all, anyway. But frankly, unless I’m JK Rowling, nobody is going to care about my process. If I become a big-name author who’s obsessed with preventing leaks, then maybe I’ll think about something with better security. And there are a lot of apps that you can download and run locally, including, Scapple, MindNode, and MindMaster.īut I want my mind maps accessible from any of my devices, and I don’t care if one of their employees leaks my list of possible murder methods. If you are the kind of person who doesn’t want to put their stuff in the cloud, that’s fine. In other words, I want my mind map in the cloud.

I’m looking for a tool that’s easy to use, has a basic free plan that offers all the features I want, and I don’t want to have to download and install anything. There are a lot of mind mapping tools out there. But who showers these days, amirite?Īnyway, why do something in a simple, familiar, guaranteed-to-work way when I can use this opportunity to test out new tools? And yes, procrastinate. Or I could use pen and paper or move sticky notes around on a wall or floor or draw mind maps in the steam on the mirror after I shower. It was too similar to my last plot, and there was no way to connect it to my protagonist’s internal character arc in a way that wouldn’t feel clumsy and forced. Turns out, I have to throw out the plot that I’ve got and start over with a new one, because the other one just wasn’t working. In a lucky coincidence, I happen to be stuck in the early phase of my next novel. That’s where mind-mapping tools can help.

That’s all well and good if you already have an idea for a plot, and now just need to fine-tune it, maybe move some pieces around, add some clues and red herrings, that kind of thing.īut it’s not particularly useful when you don’t have much of a plot to start with. Read our Midjourney review here.Ī few days ago I wrote about how to use the free online app Miro to plot out a story. AI-generated illustration created with Midjourney.

All proceeds go to helping us pay for original stories and to support writers of speculative fiction.

Some articles may include Amazon affiliate links.

Mind mapping free tools